Yolo County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- State standard
- 65 dB CNEL (21 CCR 5012)
- Yolo County Airport
- KDWA - Davis/Woodland/Winters
- University Airport
- KEDU - UC Davis
- ALUC for Yolo
- SACOG (Cal. Pub. Util. Code 21670.4)
- ALUCP authority
- Cal. Pub. Util. Code 21670-21679.5
- FAA preemption
- 49 U.S.C. 41713 (flight ops)
Summary
Aircraft noise around Yolo County Airport (KDWA, Davis-Woodland-Winters), University Airport (KEDU), and the Watts-Woodland strip is regulated under California Code of Regulations Title 21 section 5012, which sets a 65 dB CNEL standard for areas of incompatible land use, and through the SACOG Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan adopted under California Public Utilities Code section 21670 et seq.
The level of noise acceptable to a reasonable person residing in the vicinity of an airport is established as a community noise equivalent level (CNEL) value of 65 dB. This criterion level has been chosen for reasonable persons residing in urban residential areas where houses are of typical California construction and may have windows partially open. It has been selected with reference to speech, sleep and community reaction. No airport proprietor of a noise problem airport shall operate an airport with a noise impact area based on the standard of 65 dB CNEL unless the operator has applied for or received a variance as prescribed in Article 5 of this subchapter.
Full Breakdown
California has occupied this field. ' Airports with a noise impact area exceeding that CNEL must obtain a variance from Caltrans. For Yolo County, the SACOG Airport Land Use Commission - which under Cal. Pub. Util. 4 serves as the ALUC for Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba Counties - adopts and enforces Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (ALUCPs) for the three public-use airports in unincorporated Yolo County: Yolo County Airport (KDWA, off Highway 16 near Woodland), Watts-Woodland (private), and the UC Davis-operated University Airport (KEDU).
Those ALUCPs establish noise contours and restrict incompatible residential, school, and hospital uses within the 60-65+ dB CNEL bands. Yolo County's 2030 Countywide General Plan (adopted Nov. 10, 2009) incorporates these noise compatibility zones into the Health and Safety Element. Crop-duster (Part 137) operations at agricultural airstrips are common across Yolo's row-crop landscape and are protected by Right-to-Farm provisions.
Violations & Fines
Land-use violations within an ALUCP noise zone are reviewed and overridden only by a 2/3 Board of Supervisors vote under Cal. Pub. Util. Code section 21676. Airport-operator violations of the 65 dB CNEL standard can trigger Caltrans variance proceedings under 21 CCR sections 5060-5080. FAA preemption (49 U.S.C. section 41713) bars counties from regulating flight paths, departure times, or aircraft equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the county restrict flight paths over my home near the Yolo County Airport?
Why do I hear so many crop dusters in summer?
Can I build a new house under the KDWA approach path?
Sources & Official References
- [1]21 CCR section 5012 - Airport Noise Standard (Cornell LII)
- [2]California Public Utilities Code sections 21670-21679.5 - Airport Land Use Commissions
- [3]SACOG Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, Yuba ALUC)
- [4]Caltrans Aeronautics - Airport Land Use Planning
- [5]Yolo County Airport (KDWA) - Yolo County
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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