§ 22.30.080. Airfields and Heliports.

The standards of this Section apply to airfields and heliports in addition to all applicable permit requirements and standards of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the California State Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics. The Board hereby delegates to the Commission the authority to approve plans for construction of proposed airports and heliports, as provided by this Section.

A.

Limitation on use. Only heliports may be approved in the Office and Professional and Commercial Service land use categories; airfields are prohibited.

B.

Permit requirement. Conditional Use Permit approval, which shall constitute county approval of the plan for construction of the airport or heliport as required by the California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics. If approved, the Conditional Use Permit shall be subject to a condition of approval which requires airport or heliport construction to be in compliance with the approved plan for construction. Buildings or uses accessory to an airport or heliport are subject to permit requirements and standards applicable to each use.

C.

Location criteria.

1.

Agricultural and Personal Use facilities. Shall be located only within an Agriculture or Rural Lands category, no closer than 2,500 feet to an urban reserve.

2.

Restricted Use facility. Shall be located outside of and no closer than 2,500 feet to an urban or village reserve line, except for an emergency use heliport, which may be located within an urban or village reserve. Restricted use airfields shall be located such that aircraft in approach or departure maneuvers within two miles of the airfield do not pass within 500 feet in any direction of:

a.

An existing residential use outside the ownership of the airfield;

b.

An urban or village reserve line;

c.

Any area within a Residential or Commercial Retail category;

Except for an emergency heliport established to support a medical, fire protection or other public safety facility.

3.

Public Use facilities. Shall be located only within a Public Facility land use category.

D.

Operational requirements.

1.

Agricultural or Personal Use facility. Based aircraft shall be limited to those used for agricultural crop dusting, or personal use of the tenant or owner of record. No commercial flights other than those directly related to agricultural activities are permitted.

2.

Restricted Use facilities. Not more than 10 aircraft shall be based at the strip.

E.

Permit processing.

1.

A land use permit or exemption from the State Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics shall be obtained for all airfields and heliports. Prior to establishment of an airfield or heliport, the applicant shall file with the Department of Planning and Building evidence of approval of such permit or exemption.

2.

Prior to or in conjunction with the approval of an airport land use permit for a public use airport, height limitations shall be established for the surrounding area in compliance with current Federal Aviation Administration regulations. Such height limitations shall be established by:

a.

Amendment of the Land Use Element to establish an Airport Review area combining designation around the airport; or

b.

Execution of easements with each property owner over whose property such height limits shall apply, with such easements to run with the land and contain restrictions on the height of structures or vegetation which are in compliance with FAA regulations.

[Amended 1992, Ord. 2553] [22.08.282]