Showing ordinances that apply to Bethesda, MD
Bethesda is an unincorporated community (population 68,056) in Montgomery County, Maryland. Because Bethesda is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Montgomery County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The aircraft noise rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Montgomery County experiences aircraft noise primarily from Dulles International Airport (IAD) flight paths over Potomac and Poolesville, and from general aviation at Montgomery County Airpark (GAI). The county has limited regulatory authority over aircraft noise, which is federally preempted by the FAA.
Aircraft noise in Montgomery County is primarily a concern in western communities including Potomac, Poolesville, Darnestown, and Dickerson where Dulles International Airport departure and arrival routes pass overhead. Montgomery County Airpark (GAI) in Gaithersburg generates additional noise complaints from surrounding residential areas. Federal law under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 preempts local regulation of aircraft operations and noise, meaning Montgomery County cannot impose curfews or flight-path changes. The county council has periodically lobbied the FAA and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to adjust flight paths and implement noise abatement procedures. The FAA NextGen flight path modernization program has concentrated flight corridors, increasing noise in some communities while reducing it in others. Residents can file complaints with MWAA for Dulles-related noise or with the Maryland Aviation Administration for state-level advocacy. Montgomery County Airpark has voluntary noise abatement procedures including preferred runway use and traffic pattern altitudes.
No county-level enforcement authority. Aircraft noise is federally regulated by the FAA. Residents may file complaints with MWAA or the FAA.
See how Bethesda's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
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