How do I make a complaint?
Complaints can be made at the Noise Abatement office, via Noise Lab. Noise Abatement staff will need the time and date of the disturbance, what kind of disturbance (loud aircraft, curfew violations, etc.), and location of the disturbance (address, hundred block or cross streets and city). Descriptions and tail numbers of aircraft are not always possible but are very helpful to the Noise Abatement office. If you would like a return contact, please leave a name and phone number or email, so staff can respond. Note: if Staff does not receive full information regarding a noise event, staff may not be able to properly investigate the event. Also, Staff will not process auto-generated complaints from applications such as Airnoise.io
What happens when I make a noise complaint?
The complaint is logged by date, time, provided location, type of aircraft, and type of violation, and then it is investigated by the Noise Abatement staff. Note: if is Staff does not receive full information regarding a noise event, staff may not be able to properly investigate the event. If it is found that an aircraft is in violation, staff will log the violation and send a Notice of Violation letter to the owner/pilot of the aircraft.
How high does an aircraft have to fly above my residential neighborhood?
The Torrance Airport and the Noise Abatement office do not regulate altitude for aircraft; this is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the FAA Control Tower. While the City of Torrance continues to work with the FAA and the Control Tower, the aircraft in navigable airspace is subject to federal regulations, among which is the requirement under 14 CFR section 91.119(b) that except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft over any congested area of the City below an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft. The FAA can be reached at (562) 377-5400 or https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/ The Torrance Airport/Zamperini Field is under the Long Beach FSDO (Flight Standards District Office).
Why does Torrance Noise Abatement refer me to the FAA when airplanes or helicopters are flying too low, over my neighborhood or recklessly?
The Torrance Airport Noise Abatement office is responsible for monitoring noise around the airport and enforcing what is written in the Torrance Municipal Code. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has jurisdiction over safety concerns and airspace usage. FAA can be reached at (562) 377-5400 or Federal Aviation Administration The Torrance Airport/Zamperini Field is under the Long Beach FSDO (Flight Standards District Office).
When I call noise abatement I always get the voicemail. Do they really check their messages?
Yes, Staff checks voicemails and follows up on those voicemails. As Staff may be on another line or temporarily out of the office, it is best to leave a message; including the date, time, why you are calling, and a name and phone number or email address if you wish to be contacted by a staff member.