Stratford, CT Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Stratford's noise ordinance, Chapter 142 of the Town Code, sets noise-level standards for sound that crosses a property line, and then carves aircraft out in three places. Under § 142-5.D(6), the levels do not apply to sound created by any mobile source of noise, and the ordinance names aircraft and trucks as examples. That exclusion stops applying once a mobile source has maneuvered into position at a loading dock or similar facility, turned off its engine and ancillary equipment, and begun the physical process of removing the contents of the vehicle. Under § 142-5.E(7), noise that originates at airports and is directly caused by aircraft flight operations specifically preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration is exempt from the chapter. Under § 142-5.E(8), noise created by aircraft, or by aircraft propulsion components designed for or used in the development of aircraft, under test conditions is exempt as well.

Sikorsky Memorial Airport sits inside the Town of Stratford, so these carve-outs decide most aircraft questions: a resident cannot use the Chapter 142 decibel levels against flight operations the FAA has preempted. The Town does give residents a place to take the complaint. Article IV of Chapter 7, adopted 12-8-2005 by Ord. No. 05-30, creates the Sikorsky Memorial Airport Noise Abatement Committee with seven members: one appointed by the Mayor or his designee, one appointed by Protect Your Environment, two Lordship residents appointed by the Stratford Town Council, one Council appointee who resides in the district where the airport is located, and two Council appointees from the electorate at large.

Under § 7-13 the Committee reviews Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations as they pertain to noise abatement and airport operations, periodically reviews airport operations to consider and recommend alternative methods to encourage and enhance noise abatement, makes recommendations to the Stratford Town Council for possible actions to abate objectionable airport noise, and accepts complaints from residents of the Town of Stratford and works with airport management to rectify them in a timely manner. The Committee advises and takes complaints; it does not issue tickets. Ground-side noise from trucks falls back under the chapter once the engine is off and unloading has begun.