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

The Madera County Code's noise chapter (Chapter 9.58) does not regulate aircraft or airport noise. This reflects the well-established legal principle that aircraft-in-flight noise is preempted by federal law: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the Federal Aviation Act and the Airport Noise and Capacity Act, has primary authority over aircraft operations, flight paths and in-flight noise, so a county noise ordinance cannot set decibel limits on overflights. Locally, Madera County operates the Madera Municipal Airport area and surrounding general-aviation activity, and noise compatibility around airports is managed through land-use planning rather than the general noise code. Under California law, the County's Airport Land Use Commission adopts an Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan that addresses noise-contour-based restrictions on incompatible development near airports, and the California Code of Regulations (Title 21) airport noise standards apply to noise-problem airports. For ground-based noise at an airport (for example, run-up testing or fixed equipment), the general standards of Chapter 9.58 could still apply, but in-flight aircraft noise is outside county authority. Residents with overflight noise concerns should direct complaints to the airport operator or the FAA rather than to county code enforcement.