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

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Local status
exempted, not locally regulated
Preemption basis
42 U.S.C. Ch. 65; Cal. Pub. Util. Code
Covers
aircraft engines, U.S.-operated airports
Applies to
unincorporated Tehama County only

Summary

Federal and California law preempt Tehama County from regulating aircraft and airport noise, so the county's own noise ordinance exempts aircraft-engine work and U.S.-operated airports from its local limits.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Tehama County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

G.Any activity, to the extent provisions of Chapter 65 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and Articles 3 and 3.5 of Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the Public Utilities Code of the State of California pre-empt local control of noise regulations and land use regulations related to noise control of airports and their surrounding geographical areas, any noise source associated with the construction, development, manufacture, maintenance, testing or operation of any aircraft engine, or of any weapons system or subsystems which are owned, operated or under the jurisdiction of the United States, or any other activity to the extent regulation thereof has been preempted by state or federal law or regulation;H.Any noise sources associated with the maintenance and operation of aircraft or airports which are owned or operated by the United States;I.Private recreational activities (including off-road vehicle operation and gunfire occurring while hunting or target practice consistent with all state laws on private property) taking place during daytime hours (nine a.m. to sunset). (Ord. No. 2123, § 1, 8-2-2022)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).

Full Breakdown

Tehama County Code § 17.77.040(G)-(H) exempts aircraft and airport noise from the county's Chapter 17.77 noise standards to the extent Chapter 65 of Title 42 of the United States Code, and Articles 3 and 3.5 of Chapter 4 of Division 9 of the California Public Utilities Code, preempt local control over airport noise and land-use regulation. The exemption covers noise from constructing, developing, manufacturing, maintaining, testing or operating aircraft engines, and from aircraft or airports owned or operated by the United States. In unincorporated Tehama County, which does not include Red Bluff, Corning or the City of Tehama, a resident under a flight path has no recourse under the county noise chapter; state and federal aviation-noise preemption controls instead.

Violations & Fines

There is no local violation to cite: the county's own ordinance defers to state and federal preemption on aircraft and airport noise, so enforcement runs through FAA and state aviation-noise channels, not the county code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Tehama County restrict noise from aircraft flying over my property?
No. Section 17.77.040(G)-(H) exempts aircraft and airport noise from the county noise ordinance because federal and California law preempt local control over aviation noise.
Where do I complain about aircraft noise near Red Bluff?
Not to the county under this chapter: aircraft noise is preempted by federal and state law, so both Red Bluff and Tehama County defer to FAA and state aviation-noise channels.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tehama County

All Tehama County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview

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