Aircraft Noise: Chino vs Hesperia
How do aircraft noise rules compare between Chino, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Chino and Hesperia have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Federal law (49 U.S.C. §§40103, 41713 and FAA regulations) preempts the City of Chino from regulating aircraft-in-flight noise. Operations at Chino Airport (KCNO) — a San Bernardino County-owned general aviation reliever airport along Merrill Avenue at the southern edge of the city — are governed by the FAA and the airport sponsor, not Chino Municipal Code §9.40. What Chino does regulate is the land-use side: under the Chino Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan (ACLUP) administered through San Bernardino County's 'Alternative Process' (no formal ALUC; local jurisdictions handle compatibility planning), the City must notice development applications within adopted airport noise and safety zones and assure compatibility with Chino Airport operations. The CMC §9.40.040 exterior noise standards (65 dBA daytime / 55 dBA nighttime in residential zones) expressly do not apply to aircraft operations.
View full Chino rules →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Hesperia has no local aircraft noise ordinance. Aircraft noise from Hesperia Airport (L26) and overflights from Southern California Logistics Airport (KVCV) in nearby Victorville is governed by federal FAA rules and California Public Utilities Code section 21669, not Hesperia Municipal Code.
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| FAA preemption | 49 U.S.C. §§40103, 41713 — federal exclusive authority over aircraft in flight | - |
| Airport sponsor | San Bernardino County Department of Airports (KCNO) | - |
| Local noise code exemption | Chino CMC §9.40 does not apply to aircraft operations | - |
| Compatibility plan | Chino Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan (ACLUP), Alternative Process | - |
| CNEL contour requiring attenuation | 65 dB CNEL — interior 45 dB CNEL required per CBC §1207 | - |
| Noise complaint channel | San Bernardino County Dept. of Airports, NOT Chino code enforcement | - |
| Local airport | - | Hesperia Airport (L26), GA basic-utility |
| Airport operator | - | County of San Bernardino |
| Governing law | - | Cal. Pub. Util. Code 21669; 49 U.S.C. ch. 471 |
| State residential limit | - | 65 CNEL |
| L26 65 CNEL contour | - | Confined within airport property |
| Local development standard | - | Hesperia Code 16.08.545 (Noise contour) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Why can't Chino just limit small-plane noise overhead?
Federal law gives the FAA exclusive authority over aircraft in flight (49 U.S.C. §§40103, 41713). Cities can regulate land use under and around airports but cannot impose noise limits on flying aircraft. Chino CMC §9.40 explicitly exempts aircraft operations from its exterior noise standards.
I'm buying a house near Chino Airport — what should I know?
If the property is within the ACLUP airport influence area (especially under the 65 dB CNEL contour or in a safety zone), state law requires the seller to disclose the airport proximity, and many subdivisions carry recorded avigation easements. Verify ACLUP zone via San Bernardino County Land Use Services and check the recorded grant deed for easements.
Hesperia FAQ
Can Hesperia police ticket a pilot for low or noisy aircraft?
No. Aircraft in flight are regulated by the FAA. Local officers cannot enforce flight-altitude or aircraft-noise rules. File complaints with the FAA or with San Bernardino County as the L26 airport sponsor.
Are Hesperia homes inside the 65 CNEL contour?
Per the San Bernardino County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, Hesperia Airport's 65 CNEL contour stays within the existing airport boundary, so residential parcels along its perimeter sit below the State's 65 CNEL annoyance threshold.
Compare other topics
See how Chino and Hesperia compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool