Erie, PA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Federal law preempts municipal regulation of aircraft in flight. Under 49 U.S.C. Section 40103, the United States has 'exclusive sovereignty of airspace,' and under 49 U.S.C. Section 41713 the federal government preempts state and local laws related to 'a price, route, or service of an air carrier.' The City of Erie therefore cannot use Article 705 or any other ordinance to cite a pilot for low-flying, takeoff, or approach noise; the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed broad federal authority in City of Burbank v. Lockheed Air Terminal, 411 U.S. 624 (1973). The proper framework is FAA's Part 150 program (14 CFR Part 150 - Airport Noise Compatibility Planning), which authorizes airport operators to prepare Noise Exposure Maps (NEMs) and a Noise Compatibility Program (NCP) for FAA approval. Erie International / Tom Ridge Field, code ERI / KERI, has a Record of Approval on file with the FAA. Runway 6/24 was extended by 1,920 feet and opened November 8, 2012; the main runway is now 8,420 by 150 feet. The Erie Regional Airport Authority logs aircraft noise and low-flying complaints for land-use planning but cannot enforce against pilots. Low-flying complaints alleging violations of FAA minimum-altitude rules (14 CFR Section 91.119) should be directed to the FAA Allegheny Flight Standards District Office at (412) 886-2580. Land-use compatibility around the airport is addressed in the City of Erie zoning code (Article 1502 et seq.) and PennDOT's Part 77 airport overlay.