Aircraft Noise: Burbank vs Carson
How do aircraft noise rules compare between Burbank, CA and Carson, CA?
Carson has fewer restrictions than Burbank.
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles County
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) is a major local noise source. Aircraft landings and takeoffs are prohibited between 10 PM and 7 AM (local time) with exceptions. First-offense airport noise fine is $1,359; repeat offense $1,976; maximum $3,953. Managed by Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority.
View full Burbank rules →Carson, CA
Los Angeles County
Carson has no local aircraft noise ordinance. Federal law preempts local regulation of in-flight aircraft noise; the FAA has exclusive sovereignty over U.S. navigable airspace under 49 U.S.C. §40103, and City of Burbank v. Lockheed Air Terminal, 411 U.S. 624 (1973), struck down municipal aircraft curfews. The Airport Noise and Capacity Act (ANCA), 49 U.S.C. §§47521–47534, further restricts local airport noise rules and requires FAA approval through the 14 CFR Part 161 process. Carson does not own or operate an airport, so it has no 'airport proprietor' authority either. Aircraft overflight from LAX, Long Beach Airport, Compton/Woodley, Hawthorne Municipal, and helicopter traffic from the LA Basin is regulated solely by FAA Order 8260, 14 CFR Part 91 Subpart I, and Stage 3/4/5 certification rules. Carson's adopted noise ordinance (LA County Code Title 12 Ch. 12.08 by reference) expressly does not apply to aircraft in flight.
View full Carson rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burbank | Carson |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) | - |
| Curfew | 10 PM – 7 AM (no landings/takeoffs) | - |
| First Violation Fine | $1,359 | - |
| Repeat Violation | $1,976 (max $3,953) | - |
| Authority | Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority | - |
| Noise Office | (818) 840-8840 | - |
| Federal preemption statute | - | 49 U.S.C. §40103 (exclusive U.S. sovereignty of airspace) |
| Controlling case | - | City of Burbank v. Lockheed Air Terminal, 411 U.S. 624 (1973) |
| ANCA Part 161 process | - | 14 CFR Part 161 — FAA review required for new airport noise/access rules |
| FAA noise certification | - | 14 CFR Part 36 (Stage 1–5 aircraft noise standards) |
| State CNEL program | - | 21 CCR §5000 et seq. (Cal. Airport Noise Standards) |
| Carson local rule | - | None — LA County Code §12.08 (adopted by CMC Art. 4 Ch. 5) excludes aircraft in flight |
| Nearest commercial airports | - | LAX (~8 mi NW), Long Beach Airport (~7 mi SE), Compton/Woodley (~3 mi N) |
| LAX noise complaint hotline | - | 424-646-6473 (LAWA Noise Management) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burbank FAQ
Does BUR have a curfew?
No mandatory curfew. Voluntary noise abatement encourages airlines to avoid flights between 10 PM and 7 AM.
Who handles noise complaints?
The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority manages noise monitoring and complaints.
Carson FAQ
Can Carson set a curfew on overhead flights from LAX?
No. The Supreme Court in City of Burbank v. Lockheed Air Terminal (1973) held that federal law preempts local aircraft curfews. Only the FAA — and, in limited respects, the airport proprietor (LAWA for LAX) — can impose flight restrictions.
Where do I file an LAX overflight complaint?
Call the LAWA Noise Management Office at 424-646-6473 or use the online complaint form at lawa.org. For Long Beach Airport, use lgb.org/noise. Carson Code Enforcement cannot act on in-flight aircraft noise.
Does Carson regulate drone noise?
Carson has no drone-specific noise ordinance. Drone flight is regulated by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 107. Carson can enforce trespass, reckless endangerment, or privacy laws (Cal. Civ. Code §1708.8) but not flight altitude, routes, or noise.
What about helicopter noise from refinery security or news flights?
Helicopter operations are FAA-regulated under 14 CFR Part 91 and Part 135. The FAA's Los Angeles Helicopter Noise Initiative (HNI) is the voluntary program for the region. Carson has no enforcement authority over in-flight helicopters.
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