LA County does not regulate aircraft engine run-ups; airport operators do. LAX (Los Angeles World Airports) caps run-ups at designated bays with hush-house enclosures. Bob Hope (Burbank) restricts maintenance run-ups overnight. Long Beach Airport's Noise Ordinance is the strictest in California.
Engine run-up noise sits with the airport proprietor under the Anti-Head Tax Act and federal preemption of airspace operations. Within LA County's three commercial airports, rules vary. At LAX, Los Angeles World Airports requires run-ups in hush-houses or designated maintenance pads, with overnight operations limited to engines below specific thrust levels. Hollywood Burbank Airport (Bob Hope) prohibits maintenance run-ups between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. except in the GE engine-test enclosure. Long Beach Airport runs the most restrictive Noise Compatibility Ordinance (LBMC §16.43): a daily noise budget, mandatory CNEL caps, and a curfew with steep fines. Smaller fields like Compton, El Monte, and Whiteman ban run-ups outside published hours.
Violations are enforced by airport noise offices, not by LA County. Long Beach issues fines up to $7,000 per CNEL violation under LBMC §16.43. LAWA can revoke maintenance permits at LAX. Federal Part 161 protects existing rules.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how Topanga's airport engine run-up rules stack up against other locations.
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