Aircraft Noise: Vacaville vs Vallejo
How do aircraft noise rules compare between Vacaville, CA and Vallejo, CA?
Vallejo has fewer restrictions than Vacaville.
Vacaville, CA
Solano County
Aircraft operations at Solano County's Nut Tree Airport (VCB) directly affect parts of Vacaville. The Nut Tree Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP), adopted May 20, 2010, by the Solano County Airport Land Use Commission, is implemented locally through Vacaville Municipal Code §14.09.110 (Airport Environs Overlay District). Direct regulation of aircraft in flight is federally preempted by the FAA. The airport publishes noise-sensitive area procedures including a published noise-abatement route west of Interstate 80 and below 800 feet MSL for runway 20 departures.
View full Vacaville rules →Vallejo, CA
Solano County
Solano County does not regulate aircraft noise directly. Federal Aviation Administration regulations preempt local aircraft-noise rules. The Solano County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) implements the Travis AFB Land Use Compatibility Plan, which uses DNL noise contours (60-80+ dB) to restrict incompatible new development around Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield/Suisun City.
View full Vallejo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Vacaville | Vallejo |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Nut Tree Airport (VCB) - Solano County | - |
| Local Overlay | Vacaville Municipal Code §14.09.110 (AE Overlay) | - |
| Compatibility Plan | Nut Tree ALUCP, adopted May 20, 2010 | - |
| Noise-Abatement Route (Rwy 20) | West of I-80, no crosswind turns below 800 ft MSL | - |
| Complaint Contact | Nut Tree Airport Admin (707) 469-4600 | - |
| Federal preemption | - | 49 U.S.C. section 41713 |
| ALUC authority | - | Cal. Pub. Util. Code section 21670 et seq. |
| Travis AFB contours | - | DNL 60 to 80+ dB, 5 dB increments |
| Other airports under ALUC | - | Nut Tree (Vacaville), Rio Vista Municipal |
| Consistency required by | - | Cal. Gov. Code section 65302.3 |
| County direct rule | - | None (preempted) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Vacaville FAQ
Can the City of Vacaville stop aircraft from flying over my house?
No. The FAA has exclusive jurisdiction over aircraft in flight, so neither Vacaville nor Solano County may directly regulate aircraft operations or pilot behavior. The City does regulate land uses around Nut Tree Airport through the Airport Environs (AE) Overlay District in Vacaville Municipal Code §14.09.110 and the Nut Tree Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan adopted by the Solano County ALUC.
How do I report aircraft noise from Nut Tree Airport?
File a complaint with Nut Tree Airport Administration at (707) 469-4600. The airport publishes voluntary noise-abatement procedures, including a runway 20 departure track that stays west of Interstate 80 and prohibits crosswind turns below 800 feet MSL. Complaints are logged by Solano County General Services and may be referred to the FAA for follow-up.
Vallejo FAQ
Can Solano County limit Travis Air Force Base aircraft noise?
No. Federal law preempts local regulation of aircraft in flight and aircraft noise. The county can only control land use under the aircraft - through the Travis AFB Land Use Compatibility Plan administered by the Airport Land Use Commission, which restricts new noise-sensitive development within DNL 60+ dB contours.
I'm thinking of buying rural land near Travis AFB - how do I check noise impact?
Request the Travis AFB Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) Study from the 60th Air Mobility Wing and ask Solano County Resource Management for the parcel's location on the ALUC compatibility map. Parcels inside DNL 65 dB are generally not compatible with new residential use.
Who do I call to complain about Travis AFB aircraft noise?
Solano County cannot enforce against the Air Force. Direct noise complaints to the 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office at Travis AFB. For civilian aircraft, contact the FAA Western-Pacific Regional Office and the relevant airport (Nut Tree in Vacaville or Rio Vista Municipal).
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