Tonawanda, NY Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Chapter 133, the Noise Local Law the Town Board adopted April 2, 1984, addresses aircraft only within its advertising-noise provision. Section 133-5D declares it a violation to make any noise for advertising purposes in any street or public place, or by means of aircraft, extending to any advertisement or calling attention to a business, article, calling or profession by horn, megaphone, siren, bell, radio or other sound-producing or sound-amplifying mechanism. The provision does not create a general ban on aircraft flying over or near the town, set flight-path restrictions, or establish a curfew on airport operations: the Federal Aviation Administration controls navigable airspace and preempts most local aircraft-noise regulation, which is why the town's code speaks only to the narrow act of using an aircraft as an advertising-noise device, such as a plane towing a loud sound system or broadcasting advertising audio while flying over town.

The general prohibition at § 133-4, barring any excessive, loud or disturbing noise within the town's corporate limits outside the Village of Kenmore, still applies to any noise-disturbance complaint that doesn't fit squarely within the advertising-specific rule. Enforcement runs through the Town of Tonawanda Police Department and Building Department under § 133-8, with tickets issued by sworn police officers or the Supervising Code Enforcement Officer.