Aircraft operation is exempt from Fort Collins noise limits under § 20-25(3) because it is governed by federal law. Neither the city nor Larimer County can set aircraft decibel limits; complaints go to the FAA or the airport operator.
Fort Collins Municipal Code § 20-25(3) exempts the operation of aircraft and other activities subject to federal law on noise control from the Article II limits. Aircraft noise is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, which preempts local decibel rules, so neither Fort Collins nor unincorporated Larimer County can enforce a dB(A) cap on overflights. Northern Colorado Regional Airport (jointly operated by Fort Collins and Loveland) handles operational noise-abatement procedures. Residents with persistent overflight or airport-noise concerns should contact the airport's noise office or file with the FAA rather than local code compliance.
No local citation applies to in-flight aircraft noise; enforcement is federal. Ground-based sources at the airport may still fall under FAA jurisdiction rather than the city code.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Larimer County, CO
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See how Larimer County's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
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