North Las Vegas, NV Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Federal Preemption
- FAA under 49 USC 40103
- Military Exemption
- Nellis AFB aircraft exempt from civil rules
- FAA Part 150 Program
- Nellis AFB noise compatibility study
- Primary Airports
- Nellis AFB and North Las Vegas Airport VGT
- Complaint Routes
- Clark County Aviation Noise (702) 261-7500 or Nellis Community Relations
Summary
Aircraft noise over North Las Vegas is federally preempted by the FAA. Nellis AFB military operations and North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) general aviation drive overflights.
Aviation Noise The FAA conducted a nationwide survey regarding annoyance related to aircraft noise. For detailed information on the survey, please review the survey introduction and read the survey report . Further information on FAA's aircraft noise research program, can also be found on a Federal Register notice published on January 13, 2021. This notice invited comments on the FAA's aircraft noise research program, including the survey, through a 90-day total period which closed on April 14, 2021. The FAA is currently reviewing the over 4,000 comments received to this docket ( FAA-2021-0037-001 ). Almost 2.6 million passengers fly in and out of U.S. airports every day. Aviation supports 10.6 million American jobs, and moved 39.9 billion pounds of freight in 2016. Along with these benefits, the airplanes that move all these people and products may also disturb those living or working near airports by exposing them to noise. Over the last 40 years, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) has been working to reduce the number of Americans exposed to aviation noise around airport communities. By one measure, it has been a success: over the last four decades, the number of people in the U.S. exposed to aviation noise has dropped substantially, even as the number of flights has soared. However, even with this success, aviation noise is and remains a concern for many communities. To promote ways in which to better balance the benefits and adverse effects of aviation on airport communities, FAA continues work to improve its means of understanding and reducing the effects of aircraft noise exposure. The goal of this website is to inform you about aviation noise and the FAA's ongoing work to improve our understanding of the ways aviation noise may affect communities. You can learn here about:
Fundamentals of noise and sound Community response to noise FAA history of noise Neighborhood Environmental Survey
Full Breakdown
Aircraft in flight are regulated exclusively by the Federal Aviation Administration under 49 USC 40103. North Las Vegas cannot enforce local noise ordinances against aircraft operators, impose curfews, or restrict flight paths. Two major noise sources affect the city. Nellis Air Force Base on the northeast edge generates intense military aircraft noise including F-35, F-16, F-22, and frequent large-force exercises like Red Flag; military aircraft are exempt from FAA civil noise rules and operate under Department of Defense authority. Nellis participates in the FAA Part 150 Noise Compatibility Program which documents exposure contours. North Las Vegas Airport (VGT), operated by Clark County Department of Aviation, is a busy general aviation reliever with pilot training, business jets, and helicopter activity. Residents can file complaints with Clark County Aviation or Nellis Community Relations but should not expect operational changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can North Las Vegas impose a curfew on VGT or Nellis?
Where do I file an aircraft noise complaint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in North Las Vegas
Compare North Las Vegas to another location·View the Nevada noise ordinances overview
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Aircraft Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Clark County handle aircraft noise.