Sacramento County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Noise ceiling
- 84.0 EPNdB at take-off
- Governing section
- § 11.28.030, adopted 1980
- Violation class
- Misdemeanor (Penal Code § 836.5 citation)
- First-offense option
- Written warning, enforcer's discretion
- Appeal window
- 20 days to Sacramento City Council
- Enforcer
- City manager, Airport Director, or designee
Summary
Taking off or landing at Sacramento Executive Airport is a misdemeanor under Code § 11.28.030 if the aircraft's take-off noise exceeds 84.0 EPNdB as listed in FAA advisory circulars. The Airport Director can also test unlisted aircraft models, notify base operators of violations, and post determinations, with a written first-offense warning option before any citation issues.
§ 11.28.030. Prohibited Aircraft Noise Level Defined. It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for a person to take-off or land an aircraft at the Airport if the noise level for that model of aircraft exceeds 84.0 EPNdB, as said noise level is set forth in the Advisory Circular in the columns entitled "Meas EPNdB" or "M/Est EPNdB" as measured at take-off. ... § 11.28.100. Enforcement. The city manager of the city of Sacramento or the airport director and any other person designated in writing by such city manager or the airport director, shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter by issuance of a citation pursuant to California Penal Code Section 836.5, to any person operating aircraft in violation of the provisions of this chapter, except that in the discretion of such city manager or the airport director a written warning may be issued to any person in place of a citation for a first violation of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
020(c)) because Sacramento County, not the city, operates Executive Airport. R. 080 then applies that determination to every aircraft of the same model. 090: government and law-enforcement/emergency aircraft, aircraft flown for a declared emergency, test flights ordered by the Director, and genuine emergency landings to preserve life or property. 5, but may instead give a written warning in place of a citation for a first violation. 120 presume the aircraft's beneficial owner (or lessee, if leased) is the responsible pilot, and presume the instructor responsible when a training flight with both instructor and student violates the chapter.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding 84.0 EPNdB at take-off is a misdemeanor under § 11.28.030, prosecuted by citation under California Penal Code § 836.5 issued by the city manager, the Airport Director, or a written designee per § 11.28.100; a first violation can instead draw a written warning at the enforcing official's discretion. An operator whose model triggers a determination gets written notice and sees the finding posted at five prominent Airport locations under § 11.28.060, and may appeal the EPNdB determination to the Sacramento City Council within 20 days under § 11.28.070.
Frequently Asked Questions
What noise level is illegal for aircraft at Sacramento Executive Airport?
What happens the first time a pilot exceeds the noise limit?
Can an aircraft operator challenge a noise-level determination?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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