Elfin Forest, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Noise from aircraft operations and aircraft in flight is governed by federal law administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which has broad authority over airspace and aircraft noise. The County's Noise Abatement and Control ordinance expressly does not apply to 'any activity preempted by State or federal law' (Sec. 36.417(a)(6)), so the County does not - and legally cannot - set its own in-flight aircraft decibel limits. What the County and region do control is land-use compatibility around airports. Under California's Airport Land Use Compatibility Planning law, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority serves as the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) and adopts Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans (ALUCPs) for the public-use and military airports in the county. These plans set noise, safety, and airspace standards that guide how local agencies - including the unincorporated County - approve new land uses (such as housing) near airports; they apply to land outside airport boundaries and do not govern aircraft in flight or airport ground operations. Residents bothered by aircraft noise typically pursue relief through the relevant airport's noise office or the FAA, not through the County noise ordinance. The County's General Plan Noise Element and CEQA noise guidelines also use airport noise contours (e.g., CNEL) when reviewing development near airports.