Tulare County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

The Tulare County General Plan Noise Element expressly recognizes that 'Noise from traffic on public roadways, railroad operations and aircraft operations is preempted by existing federal and/or state regulations,' which means the county cannot adopt an ordinance regulating individual aircraft operations, overflight altitudes, or engine noise. Federal preemption flows from 49 U.S.C. Section 40103 (sovereignty of U.S. airspace) and the Federal Aviation Act, and the California Public Utilities Code reserves airport noise regulation to the state. The county's only practical tool is land-use control: per the Noise Element, 'No noise-sensitive land uses which require approval under the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance or the Tulare County Subdivision Ordinance shall be permitted within the 60 CNEL contour of the public-use airports identified in the Plan.' The Noise Element also sets land-use compatibility standards of 60 dB Ldn/CNEL exterior in outdoor activity areas (up to 65 dB Ldn/CNEL where best-available noise reduction technology cannot achieve 60), and a strict interior limit of 45 dB Ldn with windows and doors closed. Public-use airports in Tulare County include Visalia Municipal Airport, Porterville Municipal Airport, Mefford Field (Tulare), Sequoia Field, and Exeter Airport. Residents affected by aircraft noise must direct complaints to the airport operator or the FAA, not to county Code Compliance.