Leesburg, Virginia Town Council’s response

Vice Mayor Dave Butler here:

Unfortunately, at last night's Town Council worksession, the Council was leaning towards keeping the current sound ordinance, and therefore effectively killing outdoor music. To remind everyone, the current law states the following:
1. Amplified music requires a permit, which the Town Manager may or may not grant; [24-182(5)a in the Town code]
2. Amplified music is not allowed after 8:00pm; [24-182(5)a.8]
3. ANY music that can be heard from a residential property is deemed "excessive noise" and a complaint by a resident will require the music to be turned off. (Actually, only turned down until it can't be heard from the residential property, but that's pretty much the same thing for most businesses.) [24-182(3)a.1]

Here's the link to the Town code in case you're interested: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=14603

If we do go to a decibel standard, at least two Councilmembers (the Mayor and Councilmember Wright) advocate limiting the sound level to an absurdly low 50 dBA. (50dBA is the equivalent of a quiet person talking.) This, also, would effectively kill outdoor music.

In short, our current sound ordinance is very business unfriendly, and places such severe limits on outdoor music that it effectively bans it. I urge you to remind the Town Council (council@leesburgva.gov) to pass a reasonable noise ordinance of at least 70dBA, that balances the rights of both the businesses and property owners.

Thanks so much,
Dave Butler
Vice Mayor
dbutler@leesburgva.gov