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El Dorado County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Authority
EDCTC Airport Land Use Commission
Plans adopted
June 28, 2012
Covered airports
Placerville, Georgetown, Cameron Park
Noise metric
CNEL dB (55-60, 60-65, 65-70 contours)
Residential standard
60 dB CNEL exterior / 45 dB CNEL interior
Aircraft operations
Federal jurisdiction (FAA)

Summary

Aircraft noise around the Placerville, Georgetown, and Cameron Park airports is regulated through the El Dorado County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (ALUCPs), adopted by the EDCTC Airport Land Use Commission on June 28, 2012. The ALUCPs use CNEL noise contours (55-60, 60-65, 65-70 dB) to restrict noise-sensitive land uses in airport influence areas.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of El Dorado County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The El Dorado County Transportation Commission was designated as the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) for El Dorado County on July 3, 2008. The Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (ALUCPs) were adopted by the EDCTC ALUC on June 28, 2012 for the Georgetown, Placerville, and Cameron Park Airpark Airports. The ALUC develops and adopts land use standards to minimize public exposure to safety hazards and excessive levels of noise.

View official code

Full Breakdown

The El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC), designated as the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) on July 3, 2008, develops 'land use standards to minimize public exposure to safety hazards and excessive levels of noise' around the Placerville Airport, Georgetown Airport, and Cameron Airpark. The ALUCPs adopted June 28, 2012, define 'Airport Influence Areas' in which 'current or future airport-related noise, overflight, safety, or airspace protection factors may significantly affect land uses' and may restrict noise-sensitive uses (residential, schools, hospitals, child care, places of worship, libraries, museums) in higher CNEL contour bands.

The Cameron Airpark ALUCP identifies noise zones at 55-60, 60-65, and 65-70 CNEL dB contours, with stricter compatibility rules at the higher contours. New residential development within the airport influence areas is subject to ALUC consistency review and is typically required to demonstrate compliance with the 60 dB CNEL exterior / 45 dB CNEL interior standards that align with the El Dorado County General Plan Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element. section 40103.

Violations & Fines

Land-use proposals inconsistent with the ALUCP are flagged in the ALUC consistency-review process and may be denied or conditioned. Aircraft-operation noise complaints are federal matters and should be directed to the FAA; the county and ALUC cannot regulate flight paths, altitudes, or pilot operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can El Dorado County limit when aircraft fly over my home?
No. The Federal Aviation Administration has exclusive jurisdiction over aircraft operations, flight paths, altitudes, and arrival/departure procedures. The county can regulate only the land use around airports through the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
What is the residential CNEL noise standard near El Dorado County airports?
New noise-sensitive uses must generally meet 60 dB CNEL exterior and 45 dB CNEL interior noise levels, consistent with the General Plan Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element and ALUCP land-use compatibility tables. Stricter limits apply in the 65-70 CNEL contour zones.
Who do I contact about loud aircraft over my property?
Direct operational complaints to the FAA Regional Office and to the individual airport sponsor (Placerville, Georgetown, or Cameron Park). The EDCTC ALUC reviews land-use proposals; it does not regulate flight operations.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in El Dorado County

Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsConstruction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsVehicle NoiseHeavy RestrictionsDecibel LimitsSome RestrictionsBarking DogsSome RestrictionsAmplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant Restrictions

All El Dorado County rules

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