Beginning in January 2000, the first of two settlement amounts from lawsuits against Denver International Airport (DIA) was received by Aurora. Because the lawsuits were initiated as a result of excess noise generated by DIA aircraft activity, the settlement awards were designated for use in airport noise mitigation (reduction) efforts. The first expenditure including funding an Airport Noise Coordinator position for the city and preparing a Noise Mitigation Plan. The Noise Mitigation Plan for the Aurora identifies goals that are intended to reduce the impact of airport noise on city residents, visitors, and businesses. Federal Aviation Administration guidelines were used in identifying noise mitigation goals. These goals are:
- Identify and upgrade existing homes in specific areas around DIA to reduce airport noise—completed March 2006
- Purchase land in specific areas around DIA that are zoned for residential development—in progress.
In addition to the Noise Mitigation Plan, Aurora has an Airport Influence District Ordinance that is available by clicking on “Ordinances and Design” in the menu on the left side of this page. Airports in the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area are important generators of economic activity. They not only provide jobs for residents, but airports also are essential for the transportation of goods and people in our metropolitan economy.
Portions of Aurora are located in close proximity to four major airports including:
The City of Aurora is located in close proximity to four major airports, including:
Aurora’s Airport Influence Districts
Aurora has zoning codes that restrict the types of new developments that can occur near airports. The restrictions vary depending on where the new development sits within a predetermined mapped-out area, referred to as a noise contour. Noise contours around each airport are created using a very complex and accurate computer model provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. The City of Aurora has established Airport Influence Districts and noise contours around each of the four airports based on the computer model information. Using the noise contour information, two very important restrictions are included in the Airport Influence District ordinance in the zoning code:
- Generally, new residential development and construction is prohibited in the area where aircraft noise may exceed a day-night average sound level referred to as either Ldn or DNL above 60 decibels. This average includes a 10 decibel penalty for airport noise during nighttime hours 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- New residential development may be permitted between the 55 and 60 Ldn contours if specific construction criteria are included in the design of the residences, such as noise insulation and central air conditioning.
- Existing residences within the 55 Ldn to 65 Ldn contours are not addressed in the Airport Influence District ordinance. Owners of existing residences located in an Airport Influence District are not required to have noise reduction measures in their residences, and if they choose to include noise reduction measures in their homes, they must provide them at their own cost.
Maps of the noise contours around each of the four airports are available by scrolling down to the bottom of the page.
Click on the paper airplane icon above to download the City of Aurora’s Airport Noise Brochure that also includes the airport noise contour maps, a glossary of airport noise terms, and a brief description of the City of Aurora’s Airport Noise Program.
You need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the file. To get a free copy of this software, click on the Adobe Acrobat icon.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How can I get a copy of the Airport Influence District Ordinance?
A copy is available online by clicking on “Ordinances and Design Standards” on the left side of this screen. Next click on “Airport Influence District” to bring up the PDF version of the ordinance.
How do I report an airport noise complaint?
The City of Aurora works closely with the nearby airports to address aircraft noise issues. To track noise complaints and correspond complaints associated with certain aircraft, airport operations, and locations, the airports have set up the Complaint Hotline telephone numbers and website information below:
Questions about the City of Aurora’s Airport Noise program may be directed to Karen Hancock, Airport Noise Coordinator, at (303) 739-7107.
How does the City of Aurora’s Airport Influence District Ordinance Work?
All developments within the Airport Influence Districts surrounding the four airports are required to convey avigation easements to the City of Aurora. This means that an easement is recorded with the county of residence and is attached to the property title to alert future purchasers that the property is located in an Airport Influence District. The avigation easement is an agreement that allows aircraft to fly over the property, even if that action causes damage, noise, inconvenience, or loss of property value.
The avigation easement forms are available by clicking one of the links below:
Avigation Form – Buckley AFB
Avigation Form – DIA, Centennial, and Front Range Airports
How will prospective buyers know if the property is located within an Airport Influence District?
For new development within any of the four airport Airport Influence Districts, the developer or builder must provide the following notice to prospective purchasers before a contract to purchase is signed:
NOTICE OF AIRPORT IN VICINITY
THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE VICINITY OF AN AIRPORT, WITHIN WHAT IS KNOWN AS AN AIRPORT INFLUENCE DISTRICT. FOR THAT REASON, THE PROPERTY MAY BE SUBJECT TO SOME OF THE ANNOYANCES OR INCONVENIENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROXIMITY TO AIRPORT OPERATIONS (FOR EXAMPLE: NOISE, VIBRATION, OR ODORS). INDIVIDUAL SENSITIVITIES TO THOSE ANNOYANCES CAN VARY FROM PERSON TO PERSON. YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER WHAT AIRPORT ANNOYANCES, IF ANY, ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPERTY BEFORE YOU COMPLETE YOUR PURCHASE AND DETERMINE WHETHER THEY ARE ACCEPTABLE TO YOU.
What is that big white dome on Smoky Hill Road near Arapahoe Road?
The Smoky Hill Radar Dome is owned by the Federal Aviation Administration. The white dome is actually a protective cover for an Air Surveillance Radar Antenna that spins constantly to receive and transmit information about aircraft range and azimuth (used to measure the location of an object in the sky) to an air traffic control center in Longmont, Colorado. The Federal Aviation Administration has had a legal easement in the area around the dome for many years that is attached to the title of property located within the easement. The Federal Aviation Administration also has height restrictions within the geographic easement area so that nearby construction, construction equipment, and objects do not interfere with the antenna’s performance. The antenna uses electromagnetic energy in the microwave range to obtain air traffic measurements.
To protect both the antenna and the occupants of nearby development, the Federal Aviation Administration has made a request to the City of Aurora to review proposed development, not only in the legal easement, but in a 2000-foot radius buffer zone around the Smoky Hill Radar Dome.
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