Sacramento, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Chapter 12.88, Article II of the Sacramento City Code (§§ 12.88.500-12.88.620) regulates aircraft noise at Sacramento Executive Airport, located within city limits. Section 12.88.520 sets the operative standard: takeoff or landing noise exceeding 84.0 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. Where an aircraft model has not been measured by the FAA or is not listed in the advisory circular, § 12.88.530 lets the airport director demand the operator's own manufacturer noise data, and if that is unavailable or inadequate, § 12.88.540 authorizes the airport director to take an actual measurement at the operator's expense, using FAA-comparable dBA techniques converted to EPNdB.

Under § 12.88.550, a director determination that an aircraft exceeds 84.0 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. Director decisions are final under § 12.88.560, and a determination for one aircraft applies to every aircraft of that model per § 12.88.570. Section 12.88.580 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.

Section 12.88.590 lets Sacramento County enforce the article on the city's behalf while preserving city staff enforcement authority, citing violators under Penal Code § 836.5, though a first violation may draw a written warning instead of a citation at the city manager's or airport director's discretion.