Aircraft noise is regulated by the FAA under federal law, not by the County's local noise ordinance. The County of San Mateo operates San Carlos and Half Moon Bay airports and runs a voluntary Airports Noise Abatement Program with voluntary flight procedures, a 'Fly Friendly' education effort and a noise-complaint hotline at (844) 266-6266.
Aircraft in flight and airport operations are subject to federal regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration, which preempts local governments from setting their own aircraft-noise rules; the County's Chapter 4.88 limits therefore do not control aircraft noise. The County of San Mateo operates two general-aviation airports - San Carlos Airport and Half Moon Bay Airport - and administers a Noise Abatement Program built on voluntary measures. According to the County, the program consists of voluntary noise-abatement procedures designed over time to provide inbound and outbound flight paths that, to the extent possible, avoid residential areas. It includes a 'Fly Friendly Program' with educational videos on noise-abatement flying techniques, partners closely with the FAA-overseen San Carlos air traffic control tower, and tracks complaints through quarterly operations reports. Residents disturbed by aircraft can report concerns through the County's noise hotline at (844) 266-6266 or a noise comment form. Because the rules are voluntary and federally framed, there is no county decibel citation for overflights.
There is no local noise citation for aircraft overflights, as the FAA holds regulatory authority. The County's recourse is voluntary: pilot education, voluntary flight procedures and complaint tracking. Aircraft-noise concerns are submitted to the County hotline (844) 266-6266 or the noise comment form, and to the FAA for federal matters.
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