Aircraft Noise: Glendale vs Santa Monica
How do aircraft noise rules compare between Glendale, CA and Santa Monica, CA?
Glendale has fewer restrictions than Santa Monica.
Glendale, CA
Los Angeles County
Glendale is impacted by aircraft noise from Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), located adjacent to the city's southeastern border. Aircraft noise is federally regulated under FAA jurisdiction and is generally exempt from local noise ordinances under GMC 8.36. The city participates in airport noise mitigation programs.
View full Glendale rules →Santa Monica, CA
Los Angeles County
Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) has one of the most restrictive airport noise ordinances in California. The City imposes CNEL-based noise contours, a Fly Neighborly Program, and operational restrictions. Evening flights carry a 4.8 dB penalty and nighttime flights a 10 dB penalty in CNEL calculations.
View full Santa Monica rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Glendale | Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Hollywood Burbank (BUR) | SMO / KSMO |
| Voluntary Curfew | 10 PM-7 AM | - |
| Regulation | FAA federal preemption | - |
| Mitigation | Sound insulation program | - |
| Night Penalty | - | +10 dB in CNEL |
| Runway | - | 3,500 ft (shortened 2017) |
| Noise Program | - | Fly Neighborly |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Glendale FAQ
Does Glendale regulate aircraft noise?
No. Aircraft noise is federally regulated by the FAA and exempt from Glendale's local noise ordinance. The Hollywood Burbank Airport operates a voluntary nighttime curfew from 10 PM to 7 AM.
How do I file an aircraft noise complaint in Glendale?
Contact the Hollywood Burbank Airport Authority's noise management office. The airport tracks noise complaints and operates monitoring stations around the facility.
Santa Monica FAQ
Does Santa Monica have airport noise restrictions?
Yes. Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO) has one of the strictest noise ordinances in California, with CNEL-based contours, a Fly Neighborly Program, and runway shortening to reduce jet traffic.
How do I report aircraft noise in Santa Monica?
Submit a noise inquiry through the City's airport noise monitoring system or use the Webtrak flight tracker to identify specific flights. The Noise Operations Office investigates complaints.
Compare other topics
See how Glendale and Santa Monica 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