Humboldt County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential compatibility threshold
- 65 CNEL (boundary to Normally Unacceptable)
- Habitable room interior standard
- 45 CNEL (Standard N-S5)
- Garberville Combining Zone trigger
- 60 CNEL (N-IM9)
- Federal preemption
- FAA Part 91 / ANCA 1990 / 49 U.S.C. 40103
- State authority
- Cal. Public Utilities Code 21669
Summary
Aircraft-in-flight noise is preempted by the FAA, but Humboldt County manages ground-level airport noise impacts through 65 CNEL Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans. Standard N-S2 requires Noise Impact Combining Zones around the County's airports (Murray Field, Rohnerville, Garberville, Dinsmore, Kneeland, Shelter Cove, and the former Hoopa airport).
N-S2. Noise Impact Combining Zones. The 20-year projected noise contours in the Map Book Appendix and the most current Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans shall be used to identify noise impact combining zone areas to indicate where special sound insulation measures may apply.
N-S5. Noise Standards for Habitable Rooms. Noise reduction shall be required as necessary in new development to achieve a maximum of 45 CNEL (Community Noise Equivalent Level) interior noise levels in all habitable rooms per California building standards.
N-IM9. Garberville Airport Noise Impact Combining Zone. Add a Noise Impact (N) Combining Zone to the areas surrounding the Garberville Airport that are subject to noise levels equal to or above 60 CNEL according to Figure 5B of the 2007 Garberville Airport Master Plan Report, or the most recent Garberville Airport Master Plan Report.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The General Plan Noise Element addresses airport noise through three mechanisms. ' Third, Table 13-C (Land Use/Noise Compatibility Standards) establishes the 65 CNEL threshold as the boundary between 'Normally Acceptable' and 'Normally Unacceptable' for single-family residential. The Element identifies airports as principal noise sources for Alton (Rohnerville), Eureka (Murray Field), Fairhaven (City of Eureka Airport), Fortuna (Rohnerville), Garberville (Airport), Hoopa (Former County Airport), Hydesville (Rohnerville), Kneeland (Kneeland Airport), McKinleyville (Eureka/Arcata Airport), and Shelter Cove (Shelter Cove Airport). C. 40103, FAR Part 91, and the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990) preempts local regulation of aircraft in flight.
Violations & Fines
Direct enforcement against aircraft is preempted - the County cannot cite a pilot or ban a flight. New land uses within ALUCP noise contours can be denied or required to include sound insulation. Habitable rooms inside the 60 CNEL contour must be designed to achieve a 45 CNEL interior level (Standard N-S5).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the County restrict aircraft overflights?
I'm buying a home near Murray Field or Rohnerville - what should I expect?
Where are the contours mapped?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Humboldt County
California rules heatmap·Compare Humboldt County to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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