Aircraft Noise: Chino vs Rialto
How do aircraft noise rules compare between Chino, CA and Rialto, CA?
Chino and Rialto 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 →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Aircraft in flight are preempted by federal law (49 U.S.C. §40103 / FAA). Rialto Municipal Code Ch. 9.50 (Noise Control) does not regulate in-flight aircraft. Land use around Rialto Municipal Airport (L67) is governed by the Airport Influence Area (AIA) overlay administered by the San Bernardino County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC).
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - | Rialto Municipal Airport (FAA ID: L67) |
| State CNEL standard | - | 65 dB community boundary (Title 21 CCR §5000 et seq.) |
| Federal preemption | - | 49 U.S.C. §40103; 14 CFR Part 91 |
| Local hook | - | AIA overlay via SB County ALUC Compatibility Plan |
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.
Rialto FAQ
Can I report a low-flying plane to Rialto code enforcement?
No. In-flight aircraft are federally preempted. File noise complaints with the FAA Western-Pacific Region or directly with Rialto Municipal Airport management.
Does Rialto have a nighttime airport curfew?
No mandatory curfew. Any new curfew would require FAA Part 161 approval, which is rarely granted.
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