Iowa City does not regulate aircraft in flight - federal law preempts local airspace noise rules under 49 U.S.C. §40103 and 14 C.F.R. Part 91. Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) runs the FAA Part 150 noise-compatibility process. Iowa City Municipal Airport (IOW) is a separate general-aviation field.
Aircraft noise over Iowa City is federally preempted. 49 U.S.C. §40103 vests exclusive sovereignty over US airspace in the federal government, and 14 C.F.R. §91.119 sets minimum altitudes (generally 1,000 feet over congested areas). Cities cannot adopt operational restrictions on aircraft in flight. The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), about 25 miles north, runs the FAA Part 150 noise-compatibility planning process under 14 C.F.R. Part 150 to publish noise-exposure maps and adopt land-use mitigation. The Iowa City Municipal Airport (IOW) cannot impose flight curfews without an FAA-approved Part 161 study.
Iowa City does not issue citations for aircraft-in-flight noise; the city has no enforcement authority. FAA enforcement of altitude rules runs against the pilot under 14 C.F.R. Part 91. Ground-based engine run-ups on non-airport property can fall under city §6-4-1.
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See how Iowa City's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
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