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New Castle County, DE Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Sec. 22.02.008(B)(2)(a)(iii)
County standard for aircraft
None: defers to federal/state law
Enforcing agency for noise chapter
New Castle County Police Department
Wilmington/Newark
Have separate municipal codes, not covered here

Summary

New Castle County's noise ordinance covers aircraft in one line: aircraft and railroads only have to comply with existing federal and state noise restrictions. The County sets no separate decibel limit, curfew, or flight-path rule of its own for aircraft.

City-specific rules exist: Wilmington has its own aircraft noise rules that differ from New Castle County's county-level regulations. If you live in Wilmington, check the city-specific page instead.

All aircraft and railroads operating within the County shall comply with all applicable federal and State noise restrictions.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5).

Full Breakdown

Section 22.02.008, the County's general noise-control ordinance, lists specific prohibitions for cars, radios, construction equipment and more, but for aircraft it does not set an independent standard. Subsection B.2.a.iii simply requires aircraft (grouped with railroads) operating in the County to comply with applicable federal and state noise restrictions, deferring entirely to FAA and Delaware rules. The Police Department enforces the chapter, and violations of the general noise-disturbance provisions carry fines from $250 to $5,000, but that penalty structure applies to the noise-disturbance and allowable-noise-level subsections, not to this deference clause. Wilmington and Newark, the County's two incorporated cities, maintain their own municipal codes and are not governed by this chapter.

Violations & Fines

No County-specific aircraft noise violation exists; enforcement rests with FAA/state authorities for aircraft noise itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New Castle County regulate airport or aircraft noise directly?
No. Section 22.02.008 only requires aircraft to comply with existing federal and Delaware noise restrictions; the County imposes no separate limit.
Who handles an aircraft noise complaint in the County?
The ordinance points to federal (FAA) and state noise rules, not a County enforcement process, since no local standard exists.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in New Castle County

All New Castle County rules

Compare New Castle County to another location·View the Delaware noise ordinances overview

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