Orange County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Departure curfew
- 10 p.m.–7 a.m. (8 a.m. Sundays)
- Arrival curfew
- 11 p.m.–7 a.m. (8 a.m. Sundays)
- Scheduled departure window
- 6:45 a.m.–9:45 p.m. weekdays
- Enforcement
- Airport Director, John Wayne Airport
- Repeat-violation penalty
- 3-year airport-use ban
Summary
Orange County bars regularly scheduled commercial flights at John Wayne Airport from departing between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. (8 a.m. Sundays) or arriving between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (8 a.m. Sundays), enforced by the Airport Director under the county's aircraft noise ordinance.
Curfew. No aircraft may engage in regularly scheduled commercial operations at John Wayne Airport as follows: (i) for departures between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (8:00 a.m. on Sundays) (local time), as measured at any John Wayne Airport noise monitoring station; or (ii) arrivals between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (8:00 a.m. on Sundays) (local time), as measured at any John Wayne Airport noise monitoring station.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 157).
Full Breakdown
Article 3 of the county's Airport code (Sec. 2-1-30.1 et seq.) regulates aircraft noise at John Wayne Airport, the county-owned airport in Santa Ana. Commercial jets must meet Class A or Class E SENEL noise limits at seven monitoring stations, and regularly scheduled commercial operations cannot depart between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. or arrive between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (extended to 8 a.m. on Sundays). Scheduled departures are also barred before 6:45 a.m. or after 9:45 p.m. on weekdays. Operators with three noise violations in three years lose airport access for three years, and using the airport after such denial is a misdemeanor under Sec. 1-1-34.
Violations & Fines
Using John Wayne Airport after access has been denied for repeat noise violations is a misdemeanor under Sec. 1-1-34, on top of the three-year airport-use ban already in effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this ordinance regulate aircraft noise county-wide?
What happens if a flight violates the curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
California rules heatmap·Compare Orange County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.