San Antonio hosts five military installations (JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Randolph, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Camp Bullis, and Camp Stanley), making military aircraft noise a major land-use concern. The Unified Development Code establishes Military Sound Attenuation Overlay Districts under UDC § 35-339.03, requiring noise-attenuating construction for new residential development within mapped noise contours (65 dB DNL and above) surrounding military airfields.
Joint Base San Antonio encompasses Lackland AFB (southwest SA, pilot training with T-6 Texan II and T-38 Talon), Randolph AFB (northeast Bexar County, T-38 and T-1 training), and Fort Sam Houston (medical training). Military aircraft are exempt from local noise ordinances under federal preemption. The Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) study maps noise contours around each base and guides land use planning. Properties near flight paths may have real estate disclosure requirements. JBSA public affairs handles noise complaints but has no obligation to modify operations. San Antonio International Airport also generates civilian air traffic noise in the north-central area.
No local violations possible — federal preemption. Complaints filed through JBSA public affairs or SA International Airport noise program.
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