Carson, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Federal exclusivity: 49 U.S.C. §40103(a)(1) grants the United States 'exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States.' 49 U.S.C. §44715 directs the FAA Administrator (in consultation with EPA) to prescribe standards for the measurement and control of aircraft noise and sonic boom. The Supreme Court's City of Burbank ruling held that the comprehensive federal scheme (Federal Aviation Act + Noise Control Act of 1972) preempts municipal curfew ordinances. ANCA (1990) bars airport proprietors and local governments from imposing new Stage 3/Stage 4 restrictions absent FAA approval under 14 CFR Part 161. Local airport proprietor exception: under City of Burbank dicta and Santa Monica Airport litigation, only the entity that owns and operates an airport may impose reasonable, non-arbitrary, non-discriminatory access restrictions — Carson owns no airport. Complaints process: FAA noise complaints for LAX go through LAWA Noise Management (424-64-NOISE); Long Beach Airport has its own noise office; Hawthorne and Compton/Woodley are operated by Hawthorne and LA County respectively. Ground-based operations at airports (e.g., engine run-ups at fixed test stands) may be subject to airport proprietor rules, not Carson's. State role: California Public Utilities Code §21669 (Airport Noise Standards, 21 CCR §5000 et seq.) sets the state Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) program administered by Caltrans Division of Aeronautics, but enforcement is at the airport-proprietor level. Drones (UAS) below 400 ft AGL under 14 CFR Part 107 are also FAA-regulated; localities may regulate launch/landing on city property and reckless operation, but not flight altitude or routes.