Mesa, AZ Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Section 6-3-6, "Special Regulations Pertaining to Helicopters," bars any person from taking off or landing a helicopter anywhere within Mesa city limits, other than at a regularly established heliport or landing place, without first obtaining a permit from the Chief of Police or the Chief's designee. The Chief may issue the permit only if five conditions are met: the pilot and the helicopter are both FAA-licensed; the safety of nearby inhabitants will not be endangered; the noise attendant upon the flight or landing will not be detrimental to the neighborhood; and the operator carries public liability and property damage insurance of at least $100,000 per person injured, $300,000 per occurrence, and $50,000 for property damage.

Three categories of flights are exempt from the permit requirement, provided the other Subsection (A) conditions are met: news-media takeoffs/landings, accident-investigation or rescue flights, and flights assisting a Police Department investigation. Emergency landings are exempt outright under Subsection (C). Subsection (D) separately allows helicopters to land on private property for pesticide application without a police permit, but only if the applicator is FAA- and Arizona Department of Agriculture-licensed, the property owner consents, and the landing/takeoff does not occur within 500 feet of a residence unless every household within that radius consents.

Violating any provision of the aircraft chapter is a misdemeanor under Section 6-3-7, punishable by a fine up to $2,500, imprisonment up to three months, or both. The noise standard in Subsection (A)(4) gives the Police Chief express discretion to deny a permit application based on neighborhood noise impact, making this Mesa's operative local control on helicopter noise.