San Bernardino County, CA Noise Ordinances: Aircraft Noise (2026)

Aircraft and aviation noise is generally outside the reach of County ordinances. Under the federal Aviation Act and the Noise Control Act of 1972, the FAA has exclusive sovereignty over the navigable airspace and controls flight paths, altitudes, and departure procedures. The U.S. Supreme Court held in City of Burbank v. Lockheed Air Terminal (1973) that this federal scheme preempts local efforts to regulate aircraft noise, so San Bernardino County cannot set decibel limits on overflights or restrict flight paths over communities like Phelan, Joshua Tree, or the Big Bear area. The County's role is limited to land-use compatibility - guiding development around airports and coordinating with airport owners and the FAA, reflected in the County General Plan policies on noise and airport coordination. The County Development Code noise standards in Section 83.01.080 apply to stationary and land-based sources, not to aircraft in flight. Residents bothered by aircraft noise typically must raise concerns through the FAA, the operating airport's noise office, or applicable Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans rather than County code enforcement.