Sioux City, IA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Aircraft operations into and out of Sioux Gateway Airport (KSUX/SUX), a joint civilian/military field about 6 nautical miles south of downtown in Woodbury County, are regulated almost exclusively by the Federal Aviation Administration. Under 49 U.S.C. §40103(a), 'The United States Government has exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States,' and the FAA controls aircraft noise standards through 14 C.F.R. Part 36 (aircraft type certification) and FAR Part 91 operating rules. Municipal ordinances that restrict flight operations are preempted (City of Burbank v. Lockheed Air Terminal, 411 U.S. 624 (1973)). Local proprietors can only impose airport-access restrictions through FAA Part 161 / FAR Part 150 noise compatibility studies; Sioux Gateway is a Part 139 certificated airport. Sioux Gateway is home to the 185th Air Refueling Wing (185 ARW) of the Iowa Air National Guard, which flies the KC-135 Stratotanker; military operations are additionally governed by the Department of Defense AICUZ (Air Installations Compatible Use Zones) program. Sioux City's own noise ordinance reflects this: §8.68.040(11) excludes 'sounds made or caused to be made by law enforcement and/or other public safety officials in the performance of their official duties,' and the ordinance does not purport to regulate aircraft. Noise complaints about civilian flights should be directed to the Sioux Gateway Airport Board; complaints about Air National Guard operations go to the 185th ARW public affairs office.