24 C.F.R. § 51.103

Criteria and standards

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These standards apply to all programs as indicated in § 51.101.

(a) Measure of external noise environments. The magnitude of the external noise environment at a site is determined by the value of the day-night average sound level produced as the result of the accumulation of noise from all sources contributing to the external noise environment at the site. Day-night average sound level, abbreviated as DNL and symbolized as Ldn, is the 24-hour average sound level, in decibels, obtained after addition of 10 decibels to sound levels in the night from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Mathematical expressions for average sound level and day-night average sound level are stated in the Appendix I to this subpart.

(b) Loud impulsive sounds. On an interim basis, when loud impulsive sounds, such as explosions or sonic booms, are experienced at a site, the day-night average sound level produced by the loud impulsive sounds alone shall have 8 decibels added to it in assessing the acceptability of the site (see appendix I to this subpart). Alternatively, the C-weighted day-night average sound level (LCdn) may be used without the 8 decibel addition, as indicated in § 51.106(a)(3). Methods for assessing the contribution of loud impulsive sounds to day-night average sound level at a site and mathematical expressions for determining whether a sound is classed as “loud impulsive” are provided in the appendix I to this subpart.

(c) Exterior standards. (1) The degree of acceptability of the noise environment at a site is determined by the sound levels external to buildings or other facilities containing noise sensitive uses. The standards shall usually apply at a location 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the building housing noise sensitive activities in the direction of the predominant noise source. Where the building location is undetermined, the standards shall apply 2 meters (6.5 feet) from the building setback line nearest to the predominant noise source. The standards shall also apply at other locations where it is determined that quiet outdoor space is required in an area ancillary to the principal use on the site.

(2) The noise environment inside a building is considered acceptable if: (i) The noise environment external to the building complies with these standards, and (ii) the building is constructed in a manner common to the area or, if of uncommon construction, has at least the equivalent noise attenuation characteristics.

Site Acceptability Standards
	Day-night average sound level (in decibels)	Special approvals and requirements
Acceptable	Not exceeding 65 dB(1)	None.
Normally Unacceptable	Above 65 dB but not exceeding 75 dB	Special Approvals (2)
		Environmental Review (3).
		Attenuation (4).
Unacceptable	Above 75 dB	Special Approvals (2).
		Environmental Review (3).
		Attenuation (5).
Notes: (1) Acceptable threshold may be shifted to 70 dB in special circumstances pursuant to § 51.105(a).
(2) See § 51.104(b) for requirements.
(3) See § 51.104(b) for requirements.
(4) 5 dB additional attenuation required for sites above 65 dB but not exceeding 70 dB and 10 dB additional attenuation required for sites above 70 dB but not exceeding 75 dB. (See § 51.104(a).)
(5) Attenuation measures to be submitted to the Program Assistant Secretary or their designee for approval on a case-by-case basis.

[44 FR 40861, July 12, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 12214, Mar. 29, 1984; 91 FR 35626, June 12, 2026]

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1982–2006 · leading case: Coliseum Square Ass'n v. Jackson, 465 F.3d 215 (5th Cir. 2006).

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Coliseum Square Ass'n v. Jackson, 465 F.3d 215 (5th Cir. 2006). · cites it 2× “” 24 C.F.R. § 51.103 , table. 3 . As an example, the proffered extra-record survey took its measurements over a 12-hour period; 24 C.”

Persyn v. United States, 34 Fed. Cl. 187 (Fed. Cl. 1995). “See 24 C.F.R. § 51.103 (1995). DNL sound levels include an adjustment for the number of single noise events and the time of day of those events.”

Richland Park Homeowners Ass'n v. Pierce, 671 F.2d 935 (5th Cir. 1982). “While the, SEC reasonably concludes that the apartments themselves have “acceptable” noise exposures, as defined in 24 C.F.R. § 51.103 , the swimming pool area, arguably an “ancillary noise sensitive open space” subject to the noise-level regulations, see id.”

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