State and Local Influence Over Aircraft Noise

While the FAA controls noise at the source and the implementation of noise or access restrictions, state statutes and local considerations can also influence airport actions.

Noise is addressed in state statutes through land use compatibility guidelines. Every state acts independently and, as a result, compatibility thresholds may be different in every state. Information about specific state requirements can be found through the state’s aviation department within the state department of transportation. Land use regulation is also a function of local government and will vary by airport and by region. See the Land Use section for more information.

At the state and local level, in addition to land use regulation, the political environment may have an impact because there are tradeoffs between the costs of tolerating noise versus the benefits of new economic development. Financial incentives and new infrastructure investments also play a role in steering new development to preferred locations. See the Economic section for more information.