Alameda, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

6(b) of the Alameda Municipal Code, part of the city's Noise Regulations adopted by Ord. No. , prohibits repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing any vehicle, motorboat or aircraft in a manner that creates a 'noise disturbance' or exceeds the exterior noise standards of Sec. 4. Those standards set a sliding scale by receiving land use: Table I caps noise reaching a residential property, school, hospital, church or public library at 55 dB(A) for up to 30 minutes an hour in category 1, tightening to an absolute 75 dB(A) daytime and 70 dB(A) nighttime ceiling that can never be exceeded regardless of duration; Table II lets noise reaching a commercial property run higher, from 65 dB(A) up to an 85 dB(A) daytime and 80 dB(A) nighttime ceiling.

Because the former Naval Air Station Alameda hangars at Alameda Point sit inside the city and maintenance work still occurs there and at other city sites, ground repair and testing noise is measured against whichever table applies to the nearest residential or commercial receiver. The rule does not reach in-flight aircraft operations, which the FAA preempts under Sec. 7(c)'s 'Federal or State Preempted Activities' exception; it targets only ground-based repair, rebuilding, modification and testing. A resident who believes repair noise is excessive can file a complaint with the Planning Department or Public Works Department under Sec.

8, which measures the sound and, if it exceeds the standard, gives the source up to six months to come into compliance or face a cease-and-desist order. Sec. 9 lets the Planning Board require a cost-effective noise-reduction plan, and Sec. 10 lets either side appeal to the Planning Board within 10 days and then to the City Council within 15 days.