Arcadia, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Article III, Chapter 6 of the Arcadia Municipal Code is the City's helicopter chapter, added by Ord. 1186 on 9-18-62. Section 3624, titled Mufflers Required, applies to all helicopters that use heliport or helistop facilities within the City and requires an effective noise suppressor. The chapter sets no decibel figure; the standard is the printed phrase effective noise suppressor. Section 3626 confines landings and take-offs to a heliport approved by the City Council, with an exception for an emergency in flight, and § 3626.1 lets the City Manager authorize other property in writing if the person owning or controlling it has given written consent and no safety regulations are violated.

Section 3625 requires liability insurance of at least $5,000,000 combined limit for bodily injury and property damage per accident, and was amended by Ord. 1557 adopted 5-4-76. Operators also need a valid air-worthiness certificate for the helicopter (§ 3622) and a valid airman's certificate in the pilot's possession (§ 3623), both issued by the Federal Aviation Agency. Section 3621 bars operating a helicopter within or above the City in a negligent manner that endangers the life or property of any person, and § 3627 requires conformity with all applicable Federal Aviation Agency and City safety rules, including regulations on minimum safe altitudes.

For heliports on City-owned property, § 3628 has the City Council adopt additional regulations by resolution, with copies on file at the office of the City Clerk and with the Chief of Police. Fixed-wing aircraft fall under Chapter 5, which defines aircraft to exclude helicopters, and § 3501 singles out Santa Anita Race Track as a site where careless pilots are drawn to land.