Aircraft Noise: San Jose vs Santa Clara
How do aircraft noise rules compare between San Jose, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
San Jose and Santa Clara have similar restriction levels.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
Aircraft noise is regulated federally by the FAA, not by Santa Clara County. San Jose International (SJC) operates under an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program with a voluntary curfew from 11:30 PM to 6:30 AM.
View full San Jose rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara lies adjacent to San Jose International Airport (SJC). Aircraft noise is federally preempted under FAA Part 150, but complaints are handled by the SJC Airport Noise Office.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Authority | FAA (federal preemption) | - |
| SJC Curfew | 11:30 PM to 6:30 AM (voluntary) | - |
| Local Regulation | Not permitted for overflights | - |
| Complaint Line | SJC Noise Office hotline | - |
| Part 150 Study | FAA noise compatibility program | - |
| SJC Noise Office | - | (408) 793-2700 |
| Federal Authority | - | FAA Part 150 |
| Preemption | - | Aircraft in flight preempted |
| Complaint Portal | - | SJC WebTrak online system |
| Noise Contour Metric | - | 65 DNL |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
Can the county stop planes from flying over my house?
No. Federal law preempts local regulation of aircraft in flight. You can file complaints with SJC to influence voluntary noise abatement procedures.
How do I complain about airport noise?
Contact the SJC Airport Noise Office. Persistent issues can be raised through the Airport Noise Advisory Committee.
Santa Clara FAQ
Can Santa Clara force planes to fly higher?
No. Aircraft operations in flight are federally preempted under FAA Part 150. Complaints go to the SJC Noise Office which works with airlines on voluntary abatement.
How do I report loud airplane noise?
File a complaint with the SJC Airport Noise Office at (408) 793-2700 or use the WebTrak online system.
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