Palo Alto Airport (PAO) enforces a voluntary curfew and noise abatement procedures, with FAA preemption limiting local authority over flight operations.
Palo Alto Airport (PAO) is a city-owned general aviation facility located on the Baylands. Because aircraft operations are governed by the FAA, the city cannot impose hard curfews or weight restrictions, but PAO publishes a voluntary noise abatement procedure asking pilots to avoid takeoffs and landings between 10pm and 7am and to follow prescribed flight tracks that avoid residential neighborhoods like Crescent Park and Duveneck. The Airport Noise Abatement Committee reviews complaints, which residents can file through the online Noise Concern form or by calling the airport office. The city cannot fine pilots directly, but persistent violators may be referred to the FAA or banned from tie-down leases.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Palo Alto, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
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