Aircraft Noise: Long Beach vs Santa Monica
How do aircraft noise rules compare between Long Beach, CA and Santa Monica, CA?
Long Beach has fewer restrictions than Santa Monica.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Long Beach Airport (LGB) operates under a Noise Compatibility Program. The city has a Noise Abatement Program with curfews for Stage 2 jets and nighttime restrictions.
View full Long Beach 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 | Long Beach | Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Long Beach Airport (LGB) | SMO / KSMO |
| Curfew | Stage 2 jets restricted overnight | - |
| Complaints | flylgb.com | - |
| Federal Preemption | FAA controls airspace/overflights | - |
| Night Penalty | - | +10 dB in CNEL |
| Runway | - | 3,500 ft (shortened 2017) |
| Noise Program | - | Fly Neighborly |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Long Beach FAQ
Does Long Beach Airport have a curfew?
Yes. Mandatory flight curfew from 10 PM to 7 AM with very limited exceptions. One of the strictest in the US.
Why are there so few flights?
Daily slots are capped at 50 commercial and 25 commuter flights under the noise ordinance.
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 Long Beach and Santa Monica compare on other ordinance categories.
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