Arizona Statewide Rule
Arizona Military Airport Noise Zoning Law (A.R.S. 28-8481)
Key Facts
- Statute
- A.R.S. 28-8481
- Interior noise cap
- 45 decibels (via 28-8482)
- Max civil penalty
- $50,000
- Enforced by
- Arizona Attorney General; courts
- Applies to
- Military airport high-noise zones
Summary
Arizona law forces cities, towns, and counties holding land in a military airport's high noise or accident potential zone to adopt compatibility plans and enforce zoning that shields residents from aircraft noise, backed by civil penalties reaching $50,000.
A political subdivision that has territory in the vicinity of a military airport or ancillary military facility that includes property in a high noise or accident potential zone shall adopt comprehensive and general plans and school district development plans, if applicable, for property in the high noise or accident potential zone to assure development compatible with the high noise and accident potential generated by military airport and ancillary military facility operations that have or may have an adverse effect on public health and safety.
Full Breakdown
A.R.S. 28-8481(A) commands every Arizona political subdivision with territory in a military airport's high noise or accident potential zone to adopt comprehensive and general plans and enforce zoning that keeps new development compatible with military flight operations. Subsection B pulls in the sound attenuation standards of A.R.S. 28-8482, capping interior residential noise at 45 decibels near installations like Luke Air Force Base and Davis-Monthan. Federal law governs the aircraft themselves; this statute governs what the ground below them may be built into.
Violations & Penalties
A political subdivision that ignores the mandate faces an attorney general enforcement action; the court may assess civil penalties of up to $500 per day for the first ten days, then up to $5,000 per subsequent day, capped at $50,000, deposited in the state general fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this regulate how loud aircraft can be?
Which airports trigger the requirement?
What must a city actually do?
Sources
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