Idaho Falls, ID Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Aircraft noise from flights over Idaho Falls is not subject to a city noise ordinance. Under federal law and U.S. Supreme Court precedent (City of Burbank v. Lockheed Air Terminal, 411 U.S. 624 (1973)), the regulation of aircraft in flight, including noise standards and flight curfews, is preempted by the federal government through the Federal Aviation Administration. Local governments generally cannot set their own aircraft-noise limits or curfews on flights. A municipality may have limited authority only as the proprietor of an airport, distinct from regulating flight noise generally. Idaho Falls City Code 5-4-11 (Nuisance Noise) does not list aircraft among regulated sources, and there is no separate aircraft-noise chapter in the code. The only airport-specific provision is in the disorderly conduct section, 5-4-8(D), which makes it an offense to interfere with Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) operations, delay or interfere with flights or security procedures, use abusive language toward airline or airport staff, fail to follow safety or security directives, or attempt to board an aircraft without authorization. That provision targets disruptive behavior, not the sound of aircraft. Residents with aircraft-noise concerns are generally directed to the airport operator and the FAA rather than city code enforcement. This entry reflects the absence of a city aircraft-noise rule rather than asserting one.