Arlington, TX Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Faa Federal Preemption
- FAA federal preemption of airspace under 49 U.S.C. 40103
- City Cannot Set
- City cannot set aircraft curfews or altitude limits
- Arlington Municipal Airport
- Arlington Municipal Airport has voluntary noise abatement
- Dfw Noise Office
- DFW Noise Office handles commercial flight complaints
- 311 Redirects Aviation
- 311 redirects aviation calls to federal/airport channels
Summary
Aircraft noise in Arlington is governed almost entirely by the Federal Aviation Administration, not by the city. DFW International Airport, Dallas Love Field, Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY), and Grand Prairie Airport all generate overflights, and because 49 U.S.C. Section 40103 and FAA regulations preempt local control of airspace, Arlington cannot impose curfews or altitude rules on aircraft operations.
Aviation Noise. The FAA conducted a nationwide survey regarding annoyance related to aircraft noise. [...] Almost 2.6 million passengers fly in and out of U.S. airports every day. Aviation supports 10.6 million American jobs, and moved 39.9 billion pounds of freight in 2016. Along with these benefits, the airplanes that move all these people and products may also disturb those living or working near airports by exposing them to noise. Over the last 40 years, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working to reduce the number of Americans exposed to aviation noise around airport communities. By one measure, it has been a success: over the last four decades, the number of people in the U.S. exposed to aviation noise has dropped substantially, even as the number of flights has soared. However, even with this success, aviation noise is and remains a concern for many communities. To promote ways in which to better balance the benefits and adverse effects of aviation on airport communities, FAA continues work to improve its means of understanding and reducing the effects of aircraft noise exposure.
Full Breakdown
Arlington sits directly in the busy airspace between DFW International Airport to the north and Arlington Municipal Airport (GKY) on the city's south side, with additional traffic from Dallas Love Field and Grand Prairie Municipal. Federal law (the Airline Deregulation Act, the Federal Aviation Act, and the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990) and longstanding FAA regulations give the federal government exclusive jurisdiction over navigable airspace, which means the City of Arlington cannot lawfully impose nighttime curfews, altitude minimums, or flight-path restrictions on commercial, general aviation, or helicopter traffic.
Arlington Municipal Airport, which the city owns, has a voluntary noise abatement program with preferred traffic patterns, recommended quiet hours for practice (typically discouraging pattern work before 7 AM and after 10 PM), and prohibitions on intentionally aggressive maneuvers over residential areas, but the program is not enforceable against a pilot who chooses not to comply because FAA rules control. DFW-related noise complaints are routed to the DFW Airport Noise Office, which tracks specific flight tail numbers and coordinates with airlines on procedural adjustments. Helicopter operations servicing AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field on game days, TV traffic reporters, and law enforcement flights are similarly federal.
Arlington residents who want to document a pattern of low or late-night flights should report through the DFW Airport noise portal with date, time, and direction; city 311 will redirect aviation complaints to the appropriate federal or airport-authority channel.
Violations & Fines
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Arlington code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Arlington ban helicopters at night over my neighborhood?
Where do I report loud flights over my house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Arlington to another location·View the Texas noise ordinances overview
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Aircraft Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle aircraft noise.