Bernalillo County, NM Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Aircraft noise cap
- 90 dB(A) over the county
- Jet engine test cap
- 50 dB(A) near homes at night
- Night hours covered
- 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- FAA-compliant flights
- exempt from the noise limit
- Max penalty
- $300 fine, up to 90 days
Summary
Aircraft and helicopters flying over unincorporated Bernalillo County may not produce noise exceeding 90 dB(A), and jet engine testing near homes is capped at 50 dB(A) between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., unless FAA rules exempt the flight.
(a)Excessive sound prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or cause to be operated any type of aircraft over the county which produces noise levels exceeding 90 dB(A) within the county. ... (c)Jet engine testing. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate, run up or test or cause to be operated, run up or tested an aircraft jet engine which creates a noise level of 50 dB(A) or more at any place within an inhabited residential zone of the county between the hours of 10:00 p.m. of one day and 7:00 a.m. of the next day.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).
Full Breakdown
Bernalillo County Code § 30-127 makes it unlawful to operate any aircraft, including helicopters, over the county producing noise above 90 dB(A). Aircraft operating under federal air regulations, air traffic control instructions, or during a declared emergency are exempt. Separately, running or testing a jet engine that produces noise of 50 dB(A) or more in an inhabited residential zone between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. is banned, though engines running during actual takeoff, landing, or ground movement at an airport are excluded. Violations fall under the general noise-article penalty in § 1-6. The rule applies to unincorporated county land; Albuquerque has its own noise regulations for flights over the city.
Violations & Fines
Violating the aircraft or jet-engine noise limit is punishable under Bernalillo County Code § 1-6: a fine up to $300, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this noise limit apply to helicopters flying over Albuquerque?
Are commercial airline flights exempt from the 90 dB(A) limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bernalillo County
Compare Bernalillo County to another location·View the New Mexico noise ordinances overview
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