Aircraft Noise: Daly City vs San Mateo
How do aircraft noise rules compare between Daly City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
Daly City has fewer restrictions than San Mateo.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City has no local aircraft noise ordinance. Aircraft operations and overflight noise are preempted by federal law (FAA / 49 U.S.C. § 40103) and the California Airport Noise Standards (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 21 §§ 5000-5080). Daly City's General Plan Noise Element acknowledges SFO overflights as a regional noise source, but enforcement of aircraft noise lies with the SFO Noise Abatement Office and FAA, not Daly City code enforcement.
View full Daly City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
San Mateo experiences aircraft noise from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located approximately 3 miles north. The city cannot restrict FAA-controlled flight operations. SFO's noise monitoring program tracks noise levels and accepts complaints. New development within noise contours requires sound insulation.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Local ordinance | None — federal/state preemption | - |
| Governing standard | 21 CCR § 5006 — 65 dB CNEL airport noise limit | - |
| Daly City CNEL exposure | Outside SFO 65 CNEL contour | - |
| Complaint channel | SFO Noise Abatement Office (not Daly City PD) | - |
| Federal preemption | 49 U.S.C. § 40103; Burbank v. Lockheed (1973) | - |
| Airport | - | SFO — approximately 3 miles north |
| Federal Preemption | - | City cannot restrict flights |
| Noise Monitoring | - | SFO has permanent stations |
| Complaints | - | SFO online noise complaint portal |
| New Development | - | Sound insulation in 65 dB CNEL |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Can Daly City impose a nighttime curfew on SFO flights?
No. Aircraft operations are federally preempted under 49 U.S.C. § 40103 and the FAA controls navigable airspace. SFO operates its own voluntary Fly Quiet program but the city cannot legislate flight operations.
Where do I report a low-flying or unusually loud aircraft?
File a complaint with the SFO Aircraft Noise Abatement Office at noisecomplaint.flysfo.com or call (650) 821-4736. Daly City Police do not handle aircraft noise.
Is Daly City inside SFO's 65 CNEL contour?
No. Per the SFO Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan maintained by C/CAG San Mateo County, Daly City lies outside the 65 dB CNEL noise contour; residential land use is considered compatible without additional sound insulation under 21 CCR § 5014.
San Mateo FAQ
Why is there aircraft noise in San Mateo?
San Mateo is approximately 3 miles south of SFO. Aircraft on approach and departure create noise over parts of the city.
Can San Mateo limit airport noise?
No. Airport operations are under FAA jurisdiction. SFO has voluntary noise abatement procedures including preferential runway use.
How do I file an aircraft noise complaint?
File complaints through SFO's online noise complaint portal at flysfo.com. SFO tracks complaints for its noise monitoring program.
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