An Arlington leader is showing interest in a pilot program to monitor noise levels from vehicles’ exhaust systems.
Legislation now on Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s desk would allow localities in Northern Virginia and the Fredericksburg area to begin using automated monitoring equipment to gauge the noise levels of passing vehicles.
A compromise on the last day of the 2025 General Assembly session kept the proposal by Del. Rip Sullivan (D-6) alive.
While the Arlington County Board has not taken a position on the issue, its chair, Takis Karantonis, expressed interest in ways to reduce noise that frequently comes from after-market alterations to mufflers and exhaust systems.
“Excessive vehicle noise is a real, everyday quality-of-life problem, the impact of which, while not anymore underreported, [is] still underestimated,” Karantonis told ARLnow.
This was “speaking in my personal capacity and consistent with my previous positions,” Karantonis clarified.
After a complicated journey through both houses of the legislature, a conference committee was needed to work out differences between the House of Delegates and state Senate. The recommendation by conferees passed on votes for 53-45 and 24-16, respectively.
If Youngkin (R) signs it, the measure would allow localities in Planning Districts 8 (Northern Virginia) and 16 (the Fredericksburg area) to participate in the pilot program if they desired.
Each participating locality would be allowed to set up three automated systems monitoring exhaust noise, which could be moved from place to place over time. Conspicuous signage alerting drivers would need to be placed within 1,000 feet, indicating the device was in use.
Owners of vehicles passing by with noise levels above 95 decibels — about the level of a chainsaw from 50 feet away — would get a $100 civil citation in the mail. The infraction would not be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles or insurance companies.
The measure is a key 2025 legislative priority of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. If the measure makes it into law, it will go a long way to address an issue “causing problems in all of our communities,” said that body’s chair, Jeff McKay.
“A lot of folks are living with this chronic problem,” McKay said at a Feb. 18 meeting of supervisors.
Some state legislators agreed.
Sen. Danica Roem (D-30), who represents portions of Prince William County, said the issue has become acute, observing that it’s “getting to be unlivable” for residents near the Prince William Parkway.
Karantonis said more attention needs to be paid to the impacts of many kinds of noise-generating activities.
“Excessive noise is effectively a pollutant impacting health and well-being,” he said. “Whether it comes from modified car mufflers, gas-powered leaf blowers, air traffic or other sources, taking it seriously and giving localities tools to regulate, reduce and mitigate it is a step in the right direction.”
Photo via Oscar Sutton/Unsplash
