California sets statewide airport noise limits under Title 21 CCR, with the state preempting most local aviation noise control because federal FAA authority dominates aircraft operations in flight.
California's Airport Noise Standards in Title 21, Division 2.5 of the California Code of Regulations cap acceptable airport noise impact at a 65 dB CNEL contour and require airport proprietors to monitor and mitigate excess noise on surrounding land uses. Cities and counties cannot directly regulate aircraft in flight because federal law (the Airline Deregulation Act and FAA Act) preempts local airspace rules, leaving California's Caltrans Division of Aeronautics as the principal state authority. Local jurisdictions retain only limited proprietor controls at airports they operate.
Airport proprietors that fail to comply with the 65 dB CNEL standard may face state enforcement, loss of operating variance approvals, and civil liability to impacted residents through inverse condemnation actions.
See how Arcata's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
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