Section 10-A620. E-4.3 CONTROLLING NOISE

 

620.1Noise affects the general health and well-being of District residents. High noise levels can create a host of problems, ranging from stress to hearing loss. Noise can also impact urban wildlife. In the noisiest parts of the city, the sounds of cars, trucks, buses, helicopters, and sirens may seem almost constant. Even in relatively quiet parts of the city, household noise sources like car alarms and leaf blowers can be a source of annoyance. Regardless of density, the maintenance of “peace and quiet” is a basic expectation in most District neighborhoods. 620.1

 

620.2Reducing exposure to noise requires strategies that address both noise “sources” like freeways and airports and noise “receptors” like homes, schools, and hospitals. It also involves the enforcement of ordinances regulating the hours of operation for noise-generating activities, like construction and machinery use. The District Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) enforces Chapter 27 of the DC Municipal Regulations Title 20, which formally declares the “policy of the District that every person is entitled to ambient noise levels that are not detrimental to life, health, and enjoyment of his or her property” and further that “excessive or unnecessary noises within the District are a menace to the welfare and prosperity of residents and businesses.” 620.2

 

620.3Noise reduction measures also address highways and aviation. The District has a noise abatement and barrier policy for highways, in compliance with Federal Highway Act requirements. Efforts have focused on I-395 and I-295/Kenilworth Avenue. Airport noise reduction measures, including regulations on flight paths, hours of operation, aircraft type and model, and helicopters, are coordinated through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. 620.3

 

620.4Policy E-4.3.1: Interior Noise Standards

 

Ensure that interior noise levels in new buildings and major renovation projects comply with federal noise standards and guidelines. Support the retrofitting of existing structures to meet noise standards where they are currently exceeded. 620.4

 

620.5Policy E-4.3.2: Reduction of Vehicle Noise

 

Provide regulatory, mitigation, and monitoring measures to minimize exposure to noise from vehicular traffic, including buses, trucks, autos, and trains. Encourage the use of landscaping and sound barriers to reduce exposure to noise along freeways, rail lines, and other transportation corridors. 620.5

 

620.6Policy E-4.3.3: Household Noise Control

 

Strengthen enforcement of local ordinances and regulations that limit sources of household noise in the city, including noise originating from car alarms, construction activities, mechanical equipment and machinery, and similar sources. 620.6

 

620.7Policy E-4.3.4: Airport Noise Control

 

Work with appropriate federal and regional agencies to continue aircraft noise reduction programs related to Washington Reagan National Airport, especially in neighborhoods along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. 620.7

 

620.8Policy E-4.3.5: Noise and Land Use Compatibility

 

Avoid locating new land uses that generate excessive noise adjacent to sensitive uses such as housing, hospitals, and schools. Conversely, avoid locating new noise-sensitive uses within areas where noise levels exceed federal and District guidelines for those uses. 620.8

 

620.9Action E-4.3.A: Evaluation of Noise Control Measures

 

Evaluate the District’s noise control measures to identify possible regulatory and programmatic improvements, including increased education and outreach on noise standards and requirements. 620.9

 

620.10Action E-4.3.B: Enforcement of Noise Regulations

 

Pursuant to the DC Municipal Regulations, continue to enforce laws governing maximum day and nighttime levels for commercial, industrial and residential land uses, motor vehicle operation, solid waste collection and hauling equipment, and the operation of construction equipment and other noise-generating activities. 620.10

 

620.11Action E-4.3.C: Aviation Improvements to Reduce Noise

 

Actively participate in the Committee on Noise Abatement and Aviation at National and Dulles Airports (CONAANDA) to reduce noise levels associated with take offs and landings at Washington-Reagan National Airport. Particular emphasis should be placed on limiting nighttime operations, reducing the use of older and noisier aircraft, maintaining noise monitoring stations within the District, and following flight path and thrust management measures that minimize noise over District neighborhoods. 620.11

Reducing exposure to noise requires strategies that address both noise “sources” like freeways and airports and noise “receptors” like homes, schools, and hospitals. It also involves the enforcement of ordinances regulating the hours of operation for noise-generating activities, like construction and machinery use.

 

620.12Action E-4.3.D: Reduction of Helicopter Noise

 

Encourage the federal government to reduce noise from the operation of helicopters, especially over residential areas along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers during night-time and early morning hours. 620.12

 

620.13Action E-4.3.E: Measuring Noise Impacts

 

Require evaluations of noise impacts and noise exposure when large scale development is proposed, and when capital improvements and transportation facility changes are proposed. 620.13

 

620.14Action E-4.3.F: I-295 Freeway Noise Buffering

 

Consistent with DDOT’s noise abatement policy, continue to pursue the development of sound barriers and landscaping to shield neighborhoods abutting the I-295 (Anacostia) Freeway, Kenilworth Avenue, and I-395 (SE/ SW Freeway) from noise levels that exceed acceptable standards. 620.14

 

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.