Sacramento, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Noise limit
- 84.0 EPNdB at take-off
- Governing chapter
- City Code §§ 12.88.500-12.88.620
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor; Penal Code § 836.5 citation
- First violation
- Written warning allowed
- Enforcement
- City staff or Sacramento County jointly
- Exemptions
- Government, emergency, law-enforcement aircraft
Summary
Sacramento City Code caps aircraft noise at Sacramento Executive Airport at 84.0 EPNdB measured at take-off. Any pilot who takes off or lands a louder aircraft commits a misdemeanor under City Code § 12.88.520. The airport director determines noise levels from FAA advisory circulars or actual measurement, and violators receive written notice before Penal Code § 836.5 citations issue for repeat offenses.
It is unlawful and a misdemeanor for a person to take off or land an aircraft at the airport if the noise level for the 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.
Full Breakdown
620) regulates aircraft noise at Sacramento Executive Airport, located within city limits. 0 EPNdB (effective perceived noise in decibels), as listed in FAA Advisory Circular AC No. 36-1B or 36-2A under the 'Meas EPNdB' or 'M/Est EPNdB' columns, is unlawful and a misdemeanor. 540 authorizes the airport director to take an actual measurement at the operator's expense, using FAA-comparable dBA techniques converted to EPNdB. 0 EPNdB at take-off makes any further take-off or landing by that model a misdemeanor, and the determination must be given in writing to operators who base that model at the airport and posted in five prominent airport locations.
570. 580 exempts government, law-enforcement, fire and emergency aircraft, aircraft used during a proclaimed emergency, aircraft under airport-director-supervised noise testing, and aircraft landing to preserve life or property. 5, though a first violation may draw a written warning instead of a citation at the city manager's or airport director's discretion.
Violations & Fines
A take-off or landing that exceeds the 84.0 EPNdB standard is a misdemeanor under City Code §§ 12.88.520 and 12.88.550, enforceable by city staff or Sacramento County airport staff citing Penal Code § 836.5. The city manager or airport director may issue a written warning instead of a citation for a first violation; the airport director's noise determinations are posted at five airport locations and are final and conclusive once made.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aircraft noise limit at Sacramento Executive Airport?
Who decides whether an aircraft is too loud?
Are any aircraft exempt from the noise rule?
Does the city or the county enforce this ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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Aircraft Noise in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle aircraft noise.