Henrico supervisors consider stricter residential noise standards
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The Henrico Board of Supervisors heard a presentation about extending certain residential-area noise violations to daytime and voted to reduce personal property taxes for qualifying vehicles at a July 26 meeting.
During a work session, supervisors discussed amending the county’s noise ordinance to expand the violation period for sound-producing devices in residential areas to all hours of the day.
The county code currently states that within residential areas, it is unlawful to use sound-producing devices “in such a manner or with such volume or duration that it is plainly audible” between the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The amendment, if adopted, would extend the unlawful period to daytime hours as well.
The discussion followed a presentation by Henrico Police Major Kimberly Johnson and County Attorney Andrew Newby, both of whom advocated for the change. The Henrico Division of Police received 3,296 calls for service for noise in 2021, an increase of almost 400 from the previous year’s 2,905. Approximately half of the 2021 calls occurred during daytime hours, Johnson said.
She attributed the increase to growth in population housing density and increases in people working from home.
“We’re requesting your consideration in amending the county noise ordinance to expand the prohibition against noisy, sound-producing devices and stereos to include daytime hours when the noise is plainly audible in someone else’s dwelling and the source of the noise is on residential property,” Johnson said.
The amendment would be the first revision to the noise ordinance since 2014, when officials added an exception for dog kennels.
The county code currently includes daytime noise ordinances for barking dogs, vehicle noise, and commercial noise.
Most of the noise complaint calls that Henrico police receive are cleared with no report, meaning the officers that respond find no violation present or receive voluntary compliance, Johnson said, adding that last year, only one summons was issued to a homeowner for a loud party.
The supervisors in attendance expressed no opposition to the idea of amending the county noise ordinance and agreed to weigh the matter at their Aug. 19 meeting.
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During the public hearing section of their regular meeting, the supervisors voted unanimously to reduce the effective tax rate for qualifying vehicles in 2022 by returning surplus personal property tax revenue.
“Henrico and localities across the nation were impacted by an unexpected and significant increase in the value of new and used vehicles due to recent supply chain and eruptions,” County Finance Director Sheila Minor said. “When first installment bills were sent out in April, citizens were unpleasantly surprised by the used vehicle values which had appreciated from the previous year.”
In response, Henrico announced a two-pronged tax relief approach: first, to immediately waive penalties and interest on first half bills until Aug. 5, and second, to provide a personal property tax relief credit of 52 cents per $100 of assessed value on second half bills due Dec. 5.
The tax credit effectively will reduce the personal property tax rate on qualifying vehicles from $3.50 to $2.98 per $100 of assessed value for 2022.
The funding comes from a $20-million surplus of personal property tax revenue declared at the end of fiscal year 2022. Those Henrico residents who have already paid their personal property taxes in full will receive a check of refund in November.
Qualifying vehicles include the cars, trucks and motorcycles valued by national pricing guides and impacted by the price increases. Qualifying vehicles would not include tax exempt vehicles or those taxed at a dollar or less per $100.
“Like the real estate credit back in March, this personal property credit is the first time a locality has provided such a refund back to property tax payers under the permissive authority allowed in state law,” Minor said.
