Contra Costa County Municipal Code Art. 86-2.4 Definitions

Unless otherwise specifically provided, or required by the context, the terms defined in this article have these meanings for the purposes of this chapter.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

"Airport" means any area of land or water designed and set aside for the landing and taking off of aircraft.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

"Public use airport" means a publicly or privately owned airport that allows or offers the use of its facilities by or to the public without prior notice or special invitation or clearance.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

"Private use airport" means a privately owned airport not open to the general public.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

"Expansion" means any construction of a new runway or the extension or realignment of an existing runway, addition of ancillary uses, change from private to public use, or the addition of airplane hangars, tie-downs, or other storage facilities.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

"Aircraft" means any manned contrivance used or designed for navigation of, or flight in, the air including, but not limited to, fixed wing, auto-gyro, ultra-lights, experimental aircraft, blimps and gliders. Manned lighter-than-air balloons shall not be considered aircraft.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

"Heliport" means any area of land, water or structure, set aside for the landing and taking off of helicopters.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

Article 86-2.6. Planning Commission

When proposed in its territorial area of jurisdiction, the involved county or area planning commission shall:

(1) Hear and formulate recommendations to the board on applications for approval of construction plans, for the purposes of compliance with Government Code § 21661.5 (regarding approval of construction plans) and applications for approval of land acquisition plans for the purposes of compliance with Government Code §21661.6 (regarding acquisition of unincorporated territory by a public agency for expansion of an existing publicly owned airport).

(2) Hear and decide all requests for land use permits under this chapter.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

Article 86-2.8. Location

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Division 82, an airport or heliport may be located within any area zoned agricultural (A- ), light industrial (L-I), heavy industrial (H-I), water-recreational (F-1), planned unit development (P-1), unrestricted (U), or controlled manufacturing (C-M).

(b) The board finds that areas not zoned as specified in this section are not suitable for airports, heliports or aviation facilities.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part): prior code § 8203: Ord. 525).

County-owned or city-owned airports and heliports are exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter. Heliports operated by public agencies for the maintenance and protection of the general health, safety and welfare of the residents of Contra Costa County are exempt from the permit and location requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

Article 86-2.10. Permits

No person shall establish, maintain or expand an airport or heliport in this county without first obtaining a land use permit. Except as provided in this chapter, no airport or heliport use is lawful until a land use permit for it has been approved by the planning commission.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

Applications may be made for this chapter's land use permits where the involved land and premises are covered by the regulations of Divisions 82 and 84 and located in the A- , L-1, H-1, F-1, P-1, U or C-M zoning districts.

(Ord. 84-5 6 § 1 (part)).

All applications for permit approval shall include the following:

(1) Scale drawings and plans showing:

(A) Airport or heliport layout plans indicating proposed runways, taxiways, aircraft tie-down areas, hangars, and other proposed buildings and improvements,

(B) The boundary of the site, existing topography, grading proposed to accommodate airport construction and improvements, and the distance to nearby structures and utility lines;

(2) A vicinity map showing the airport or heliport location on a USGS quadrangle map and any other airport locations within three miles;

(3) A written description of the length of runways, the number and type of aircraft to be based at the airport or heliport, hours of operation, any proposed lighting, and whether the airport is proposed for public use or private use.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).

Pursuant to this chapter, the involved planning commission shall review land use permit applications for approval, modification or denial in public hearing pursuant to and otherwise regulated by the land use permit provisions of Chapters 26-2 and 82-6.

(Ord. 84-56 § 1 (part)).