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

Aircraft noise in unincorporated Tulare County is not subject to a County operational noise ordinance because the field is preempted by higher law. The County General Plan Noise Element expressly states that 'the regulation of noise sources such as traffic on public roadways, railroad operations and aircraft operations is preempted by existing federal and/or state regulations, meaning that such sources generally may not be addressed by a local noise control ordinance.' Aircraft and airport operations are listed among the major noise sources the County considers for land-use planning, but the County's role is limited to compatible land-use planning around airports rather than restricting flights. The Noise Element provides that no noise-sensitive uses requiring a tentative or parcel map under the County Subdivision Ordinance are permitted within the 60 CNEL contour of the public-use airports identified in the Plan, and it relies on airport-related land-use compatibility planning. Federal regulation of aircraft noise rests with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the federal Aviation framework, and California's airport land-use planning statutes (Public Utilities Code Section 21670 et seq.) operate through Airport Land Use Commissions. Tulare County has no ordinance imposing decibel limits or curfews on aircraft.