The City of Sonoma does not regulate aircraft noise. Aircraft operations and noise emissions are exclusively governed by federal law under FAA jurisdiction, and the nearest airport (Sonoma Valley/Schellville) is regulated by Sonoma County's airport land use compatibility framework, not Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 9.56.
Federal law preempts municipal regulation of aircraft in flight. The Federal Aviation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 40103(a)-(b), grants the United States exclusive sovereignty of U.S. airspace, and the Supreme Court confirmed in City of Burbank v. Lockheed Air Terminal, Inc., 411 U.S. 624 (1973) that local curfews on aircraft operations are preempted. The Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990 (ANCA), 49 U.S.C. §§ 47521-47534, further preempts local restrictions on aircraft noise levels and hours of operation. Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 9.56 (Noise) accordingly contains no aircraft-specific decibel limits, and aircraft noise complaints should be directed to the FAA Noise Portal or, for airport-related concerns, to Permit Sonoma's airport land use planning division which administers noise compatibility standards under the Sonoma County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
Not enforceable at the city level. Federal violations of FAR Part 91 (operating rules) or Part 36 (noise standards) are investigated by the FAA Flight Standards District Office. Civil penalties for FAR violations are set by 49 U.S.C. § 46301 and can reach $37,377 per violation for individuals (2024 adjusted maximum).
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See how Sonoma's aircraft noise rules stack up against other locations.
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