Santa Clara County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Daytime limit
- 80 dBA over residential/commercial
- Nighttime standard
- Set by § B11-152
- Exempt
- Military and government aircraft
- Exception
- Variance under § B11-157
Summary
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, helicopters can't exceed 80 dBA daytime noise over residential or commercial areas, or violate nighttime limits, without a variance; military and government aircraft are exempt.
Operating or permitting to be operated any helicopter which violates nighttime provisions of Section B11-152 or which causes a noise that exceeds 80 dBA during the day in residential or commercial areas without a variance. Military and government-operated helicopters are exempted from provisions of this section.(15)Fixed noise source location. Installation or permitting the installation of any fixed noise source in the side yards of any residence without a variance. (Ord. No. NS-517.72, § 2, 4-15-03)
Sec. B11-155. - Motor vehicle noise limits.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Ordinance Code § B11-154(14) prohibits operating or permitting a helicopter to violate the county's nighttime noise standard set in § B11-152, or to exceed 80 dBA during the day over residential or commercial areas of unincorporated Santa Clara County, unless a variance has been issued under § B11-157. Military and government-operated helicopters are exempt from the section. The rule sits within the county's broader noise-disturbance chapter and applies only outside the 15 incorporated cities, each of which regulates helicopter noise separately where it has authority to do so.
Violations & Fines
A helicopter exceeding these limits is a code violation the county can seek to enjoin in court; knowingly violating a resulting injunction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and five days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this ordinance control where helicopters can fly?
Are medevac helicopters covered?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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