Alexandria Council to Weigh New Public-Comment and Meeting Rules Tuesday

The proposed policy would limit signs, ban bullhorns and drones, restrict applause and heckling, and give the presiding officer authority to cut microphones or remove people who do not come to order.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria City Council will consider a detailed new set of rules Tuesday governing how people speak, display signs and react during Council meetings.

The proposal is an individual action item on the final Sept. 22 Council docket, meaning it is scheduled for discussion and a roll-call vote rather than automatic approval on the consent calendar.

A work session with Alexandria’s state legislative delegation begins at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center, 4850 Mark Center Drive. The legislative meeting follows at 7 p.m. in Room 1305 and online.

Signs Limited; Bullhorns and Drones Prohibited

Under the proposed Citizen Participation Policy, signs, flags and banners could be no larger than 18 by 24 inches. They would have to be made of paper, cardboard, foamboard or fabric and could not have wood, metal or plastic supports.

The policy would prohibit megaphones, bullhorns, whistles, laser pointers, selfie sticks and drones inside the meeting room. Signs could not block other attendees’ views or cameras recording the meeting.

Tripods and video equipment would be allowed only in locations designated by the City. Space could be limited to what the policy calls qualified mass-media outlets when capacity is tight.

Audience Conduct Rules Would Be More Explicit

The audience-decorum section says foot stomping, whistles, yelling, heckling, clapping and similar behavior that could interfere with the meeting would be prohibited.

Attendees would not be allowed to approach the dais without permission. Private conversations would have to stop while Council is in session, and phones or other sound-emitting devices could not disrupt the meeting.

Three Minutes for Individuals; Five for Civic Groups

Individuals would generally receive three minutes to speak and could not yield time to another person.

The proposal would maintain a five-minute allocation for recognized civic associations and community groups. Applicants or appellants in land-use and similar cases could receive up to 10 minutes, plus as many as three additional minutes for rebuttal.

Speakers would have to register, provide their name and address, identify the subject they plan to address and disclose the nature of any interest in the matter—including whether they are being compensated, though not how much.

Microphones Could Be Cut

The policy would bar personal attacks, threatening language, off-topic comments and campaign-related speech that is not directly tied to an issue before Council.

The presiding officer could discontinue comments considered disruptive or irrelevant. A person who does not come to order after notice could have a microphone shut off, lose the remainder of speaking time or be directed to sit down.

The presiding officer or city manager could also order someone removed for continued violations or disruption. A removed person would not be allowed back into the room for the rest of the meeting unless specifically permitted.

Other Items Tuesday

The docket also includes a work session on Alexandria’s 2027 state legislative package, updates on the City Hall renovation and Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ out-of-school-time program, and a quarterly capital-projects report.

Residents may attend in person, watch on government Channel 70 or the City website, or join electronically. Written comments may be sent to [email protected].