Sonoma County does not regulate in-flight aircraft noise (preempted by FAA). The Sonoma County Comprehensive Airport Land Use Plan sets compatibility standards near Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County, Petaluma, Healdsburg, and Sonoma Valley airports, with residential uses unacceptable above 65 CNEL.
In-flight aircraft noise is preempted from local regulation by federal law (14 C.F.R. Part 36; Airport Noise and Capacity Act, 49 U.S.C. § 47521 et seq.), so Sonoma County does not impose noise limits on aircraft operations. The County instead controls land use around airports via the Sonoma County Comprehensive Airport Land Use Plan (CALUP) adopted by the Airport Land Use Commission. Under Chapter 8 (Noise Compatibility Standards), residential uses are 'normally acceptable' below 55 CNEL, 'conditionally acceptable' from 55 to 65 CNEL (requiring noise-reduction construction and avigation easements), and 'unacceptable' above 65 CNEL. Schools, libraries, hospitals, and nursing homes are unacceptable above 60 CNEL. Churches, auditoriums, and concert halls are unacceptable above 65 CNEL. The CALUP applies to all public-use airports in Sonoma County: Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS) near Windsor, Petaluma Municipal, Healdsburg Municipal, and Sonoma Valley/Sonoma Skypark. The County General Plan Noise Element also designates areas exposed to existing or projected exterior noise above 60 dB Ldn/CNEL as 'noise-impacted areas' requiring acoustical analysis for new noise-sensitive development.
Aircraft operators are not subject to county enforcement. New construction within CNEL contours that does not meet compatibility standards (e.g., 25-30 dBA interior noise reduction, recorded avigation easement, fair disclosure covenant) cannot receive a building permit through Permit Sonoma until the conditions are satisfied.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sonoma County, CA
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See how Sonoma County's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
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