Napa County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Airports covered
- Napa County Airport, Angwin-Parrett Field
- Noise impact threshold
- 65 dB CNEL
- Plan
- Napa County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan
- Authority
- Napa County Airport Land Use Commission
- State statute
- Pub. Util. Code section 21670 et seq.
Summary
The Napa County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) administers the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP), which uses a 65 dB CNEL noise contour around Napa County Airport and Angwin-Parrett Field to determine compatible land uses.
The standard for the acceptable level of aircraft noise for persons living in the vicinity of airports is established to be a community noise equivalent level (CNEL) of 65 decibels. Land uses such as residences, schools, hospitals, or places of worship exposed to aircraft noise exceeding 65 dB CNEL are deemed to be in a noise impact area.
Full Breakdown
Aircraft noise in unincorporated Napa County is governed by the Napa County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP), adopted under the State Aeronautics Act (Pub. Util. Code section 21670 et seq.) and administered by the Napa County Airport Land Use Commission. The ALUCP covers two public-use airports - Napa County Airport (south county) and Angwin-Virgil O. Parrett Field - and establishes airport influence areas, safety zones and noise contours. The plan uses the State-standard 65 dB Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) contour as the threshold for the 'noise impact area'; new noise-sensitive land uses (homes, schools, hospitals, places of worship) exposed to aircraft noise exceeding 65 dB CNEL are presumed incompatible without mitigation. State law (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 21, section 5000 et seq.) and California Government Code section 65302(f) require the county's general plan and noise element to be consistent with the ALUCP, and discretionary projects in the airport influence area must obtain ALUC consistency review before approval.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance is enforced through the discretionary project-review process. The ALUC may overrule a project for inconsistency with the ALUCP, and the county may require noise-attenuation construction or an avigation easement as a condition of approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the county set its own aircraft-noise rules?
Do I need ALUC review to build a home near Napa County Airport?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Napa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Napa County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.