Nashua, NH Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing plan
- Boire Field FAA Part 150 plan
- Trigger
- Yearly day-night average sound level (Ldn)
- Loudest zones
- Residential, schools, hospitals barred outright
- Mid-range zones
- Soundproofing required before building permit
- Pre-filing step
- FAA Form 7460-1 submitted to FAA
Summary
Nashua's Noise Overlay District bans certain land uses and requires soundproofing near Boire Field based on the airport's Part 150 Noise Compatibility Plan and mapped sound-level zones.
Uses prohibited in the noise overlay zones shall be as specified in the Table of Land Use Compatibility Standards. Soundproofing shall be required for certain land uses in each of the noise overlay zones as shown in the Table of Land Use Compatibility Standards (Table 21-1 below). Where soundproofing is required, no building permits shall be issued until the applicant has demonstrated that the building design is capable of achieving the noise level reduction required in the Table of Land Use Compatibility Standards.
Table 21-1 Table of Land Use Compatibility Standards [Amended 10-23-2018 by Ord. No. O-18-027] Yearly Day/Night Average Sound Level (Ldn) in Decibels Land Use Below 65 65 to 70 70 to 75 75 to 80 80 to 85 Over 85 Residential Residential (other than mobile homes and transient lodgings) Y N1 N1 N N N Mobile home parks Y N N N N N Transient lodgings Y N1 N1 N1 N N Public Use Schools Y N1 N1 N N N Hospitals and nursing homes Y 25 30 N N N Churches, auditoriums, and concert halls Y 25 30 N N N Government services Y Y 25 30 N N Transportation Y Y Y2 Y3 Y4 Y4 Parking Y Y Y2 Y3 Y4 N Commercial Use Offices, businesses and professional Y Y 25 30 N N
Wholesale and retail building materials, hardware, and farm equipment
Y Y Y2 Y3 Y4 N Retail trade - general Y Y 25 30 N N Utilities Y Y Y2 Y3 Y4 N Communication Y Y 25 30 N N Manufactur- ing and Production
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4805762; v29 updated 2026-02-10; through 02-10-2026).
Full Breakdown
Nashua's zoning code overlays an Airport Approach Zone and Noise Overlay District around Boire Field Municipal Airport, keyed to the airport's FAA Part 150 Noise Compatibility Plan. Table 21-1, the Table of Land Use Compatibility Standards, sets allowed and prohibited uses by yearly day-night average sound level (Ldn), from below 65 decibels up through over 85 decibels, barring residential development, mobile home parks, schools, hospitals and other noise-sensitive uses outright in the loudest zones and requiring engineered soundproofing in the intermediate zones. The city withholds building permits until an applicant proves the design achieves the required noise reduction.
Violations & Fines
Building without required soundproofing, or applying for approval without a submitted FAA Form 7460-1, can block permit issuance under § 190-21A(3) and E(2) until compliance is demonstrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nashua have an aircraft noise ordinance?
Can I build a house near Boire Field?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashua
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Aircraft Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle aircraft noise.