Aircraft Noise
Noise Ordinances
Local regulations related to noise from airports, flight paths, and helicopter operations near residential areas.
How Aircraft Noise Rules Differ by Place
Oakland, CA: Oakland Aircraft Sound Amplification Ban
Heavy RestrictionsOakland bans operating any aircraft, a term the code defines to include helicopters, over the city with sound-amplifying equipment running. OMC § 8.18.100 makes it unlawful citywide to…
Sacramento, CA: Aircraft Noise Rules at Sacramento Executive Airport
Heavy RestrictionsSacramento City Code caps aircraft noise at Sacramento Executive Airport at 84.0 EPNdB measured at take-off. Any pilot who takes off or lands a louder aircraft commits a misdemeanor…
Ventura County, CA: Ventura County Private Helicopter Pad Ban
Heavy RestrictionsPrivate helicopter pads are banned across the Santa Monica Mountains overlay zone in unincorporated Ventura County, with an exception only for emergency-service agencies.
Birmingham, AL: Birmingham Exempts Airport Noise From Noise Code
Few RestrictionsBirmingham's noise ordinance does not reach the airport: Sec. 11-8-25(3) exempts noise from the operation of Birmingham International Airport outright, so flight operations, ground…
Huntsville, AL: Huntsville Aircraft Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsHuntsville's noise ordinance exempts aircraft entirely from the city's decibel limits, leaving aircraft noise regulated by the FAA rather than local code enforcement.
Gilbert, AZ: Gilbert Aircraft & Helicopter Noise Exemption
Few RestrictionsGilbert's noise ordinance carves aircraft noise out of local enforcement entirely. Code of Gilbert § 42-61(c)(10) lists "noises created by aircraft" among the activities exempt from…
Aircraft Noise Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Alaska
Few RestrictionsAircraft noise in Alaska is regulated almost exclusively by the Federal Aviation Administration under the Federal Aviation Act, which preempts state and local rules on flight…
Arizona
Some RestrictionsArizona law forces cities, towns, and counties holding land in a military airport's high noise or accident potential zone to adopt compatibility plans and enforce zoning that shields…
California
Some RestrictionsCalifornia sets statewide airport noise limits under Title 21 CCR, with the state preempting most local aviation noise control because federal FAA authority dominates aircraft…
Connecticut
Few RestrictionsAircraft noise regulation in Connecticut is preempted by the federal Airport Noise and Capacity Act and FAA authority. Neither cities nor the state may impose flight path or…
Delaware
Few RestrictionsAircraft operations and noise standards in Delaware are governed by federal law under the FAA, which preempts state and municipal regulation of flight paths, altitudes, and in-air…
Georgia
Few RestrictionsAircraft noise in Georgia is governed by federal FAA regulations, not state or local ordinances. Georgia airport zoning law allows compatible land use planning around airports but…
Hawaii
Few RestrictionsFederal FAA law preempts state and county regulation of aircraft in flight. Hawaii cannot directly limit helicopter or airplane noise, leaving complaints to the FAA and airport…
Illinois
Some RestrictionsAircraft noise in Illinois is governed exclusively by federal aviation law, leaving cities and the state without authority to regulate flight operations or in-flight sound.
Indiana
Few RestrictionsAircraft noise in Indiana is governed primarily by federal law and the FAA, with the state regulating airport zoning and tall structures under IC 8-21. Local Indiana governments cannot…
Massachusetts
Significant RestrictionsMassachusetts regulates aircraft noise statewide through 740 CMR 24.00, the Logan Airport Noise Abatement rule enforced by the Massachusetts Port Authority. It bars new, noisier…
Michigan
Few RestrictionsMichigan's Aeronautics Code preempts local regulation of aircraft operations and noise, leaving control over aircraft noise to state and federal authorities under MCL 259.1 et seq.
Minnesota
Some RestrictionsAircraft noise in Minnesota is governed primarily by federal aviation rules, with state oversight through the Metropolitan Airports Commission and MnDOT airport zoning standards. Local…
Montana
Few RestrictionsAircraft noise in Montana is governed almost entirely by federal law under the Federal Aviation Act and FAA regulations. State and local authorities generally cannot regulate flight…
North Dakota
Some RestrictionsNorth Dakota's Airport Zoning Act (N.D.C.C. ch. 2-04) lets counties, cities, park districts, and townships zone airport hazard areas to stop structures and trees from obstructing…
Rhode Island
Few RestrictionsAircraft operations and noise in Rhode Island are governed almost exclusively by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation operates state airports but…
South Dakota
Few RestrictionsSouth Dakota has no statewide aircraft-noise ordinance; manned-aircraft noise is preempted by federal law (49 USC 40103). For drones, SDCL Chapter 50-15 sets only narrow rules (FAA…
Washington
Few RestrictionsAircraft noise in Washington is preempted by federal aviation law, and the state expressly excludes aircraft in flight from its noise control regulations under WAC 173-60-050.
Cities & Counties with Aircraft Noise Rules
284 locations
Arizona
California
Minnesota
Other Noise Ordinances Topics
Quiet Hours
Nighttime and early morning noise restrictions. Most cities set specific hours when loud activities like lawn mowing, parties, and power tools are not allowed.
Construction Hours
When construction, demolition, and heavy equipment may run in residential areas. Most cities regulate this by hours and days rather than volume; violations can bring stop-work orders…
Barking Dogs
Rules about excessive or continuous dog barking, including how complaints are filed, time-of-day limits, and penalties for owners.
Leaf Blower Rules
Restrictions on leaf blowers, including permitted hours, decibel caps, and the growing set of cities phasing out or banning gas-powered blowers outright.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Rules for loudspeakers, live bands, DJ equipment, and outdoor music at homes, venues, and events, decibel limits, permitted hours, and when an amplified-sound permit is required.
Decibel Limits
The decibel thresholds cities enforce, usually as a table by zone and time of day, residential, commercial, and industrial limits, how noise is measured, and what happens at the…
Vehicle Noise
Rules about loud vehicle exhaust, modified mufflers, racing engines, and stereos audible at distance. Covers what officers measure and typical fines.