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Regulation

United States

An overview of the laws, agencies, and authorities involved in regulating noise at the federal, state, and local levels. It outlines how regulatory responsibility is distributed across jurisdictions and identifies the bodies responsible for establishing standards, administering programs, and enforcing noise-related rules.

Federal
At the federal level, noise regulation is addressed through a combination of statutes, manufacturing standards, safety requirements, and administrative guidance. Federal agencies establish baseline policies, research frameworks, and product or equipment standards that influence how noise is regulated nationwide, while day-to-day enforcement and community-level noise control are largely delegated to state and local governments.

State and Local
State and local governments play the primary role in regulating and enforcing noise control at the community level. Through state agencies, municipal departments, zoning authorities, and local ordinances, these jurisdictions establish noise standards, review land-use impacts, respond to complaints, and carry out enforcement actions. While approaches vary widely by location, state and local regulation is where noise policies most directly affect residents and businesses.