Brockton, MA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Exemption scope
- Aircraft in flight, airport flight-ops noise
- Exemption category
- Exempt at all times
- Local penalty
- None; not enforceable under Ch. 14
- Adopted
- Ord. No. M03, Feb. 9, 2021
Summary
Brockton's noise ordinance exempts aircraft entirely: Section 14-50(g)(1)(a) excuses 'noise originating from aircraft in flight' and airport sounds 'directly related to flight operations' from the city's general noise ban at all times, so flight noise cannot support a civil infraction complaint under this chapter.
(1)The following noises are exempt from the provisions of this chapter at all times; provided that nothing in these exemptions is intended to preclude the possible reduction of noise consistent with economic feasibility:a.Noise originating from aircraft in flight, and sounds which originate at airports and are directly related to flight operations;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Subsection (g)(1) of the noise ordinance lists sources that are 'exempt from the provisions of this chapter at all times,' and aircraft sit first on that list. quiet hours in subsection (e). The ordinance does add a caveat that applies to every listed exemption: 'nothing in these exemptions is intended to preclude the possible reduction of noise consistent with economic feasibility,' meaning the city can still encourage voluntary noise reduction from airport operators without being able to cite them under this chapter. Aircraft noise regulation instead falls to federal authority, which is the usual reason municipal noise codes carve out flight operations rather than attempt to regulate them locally.
The exemption was adopted with the rest of the current noise ordinance by Ord. No. M03 on February 9, 2021, replacing the city's prior noise regulations.
Violations & Fines
There is no violation to enforce: aircraft-in-flight and flight-operations noise is exempt from Section 14-50 outright, so the police department's civil infraction process in subsection (h), including its written-warning and three-hundred-dollar repeat fine, never applies to this noise source under the local ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Brockton residents file a noise complaint against flight noise?
Does the airport need a city permit for flight noise?
Is there any way the city can push for quieter flights?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brockton
Compare Brockton to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview
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