Culver City Municipal Code Ch. 9.09 Helicopters and Helistops

For the purpose of this Chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

EMERGENCY HELISTOP. An area of land or a portion of a structure used by a helicopter for takeoff and landing operations while participating in an actual or perceived emergency/disaster, when operating pursuant to the directions of the fire department, law enforcement, medical, or other public safety authorities or when going to the immediate aid of any person in peril.

HELICOPTER. A helicopter is a form of aircraft in the broad category of rotorcraft which depends for its support and motion in the air principally upon the lift generated by one (1) or more power driven rotors that rotate on a substantially vertical axis, or any steep gradient aircraft.

HELISTOP. An area on a roof of a building or other structure, or on the ground, used by helicopters or steep gradient aircraft for the purpose of picking up or discharging passengers or cargo, but not including fueling service or any other maintenance of any kind.

('65 Code, § 17A-1) (Ord. No. CS-570 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 93-013 § 1)

Helistops shall be permitted only in the M-1, M-2, and S Zones, subject to the regulations of this Chapter and the provisions of a conditional use permit regarding hours of use, types of helicraft, intensity of use, and other matters affecting the public welfare.

('65 Code, § 17A-2) (Ord. No. CS-570 § 1 (part))

Cross-reference:

Zoning Code, see Title 17

Special landing permits for occasional landings at sites other than duly established helistops may be issued by the City Manager, subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the Fire Department. Such occasional use facilities shall be at ground elevation, or at roof elevation when approved by a licensed structural engineer.

('65 Code, § 17A-3) (Ord. No. CS-570 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2006-009 § 22 (part))

A. Applications. An application for a helistop conditional use permit shall be filed with the Director of Planning and Community Development, using forms provided by that office. The application shall be accompanied by a detailed plot plan showing location in relation to land use in the area, and the size and detail of the proposed helistop. A filing fee in the amount established by Resolution of the City Council for a Conditional Use Permit shall be paid at the time of filing of the application.

('65 Code, § 17A-4)

B. Processing procedure. The application shall be set for hearing on the approval of a helistop before the Planning Commission within thirty (30) days following the filing thereof, unless said time is extended from time to time by that Commission. Notice of said hearing shall be posted and published in the manner required for noticing hearing of variance applications.

('65 Code, § 17A-5)

(Ord. No. CS-570 § 1 (part); Ord. No. CS-831 § 1)

Helistops may be erected on the roofs of buildings, subject to the following conditions:

A. On all touch-down or landing areas, whether elevated or flush with the roof, provision shall be made for collecting volatile substances which may be spilled in event of any emergency. Separator or clarifier tanks for collecting spilled volatile substances shall be installed under approval and supervision of the Fire Department.

B. The roof-top shall have at least two (2) conforming exits and they shall be located in such a manner as to permit safe exit from the roof area in the event one of the exits is blocked.

C. A wind indicating device shall be installed. A flag, banner, or similar device is acceptable.

D. Two or more wet standpipes shall be provided and equipped with one and one-half (1½) inch rubber lined fire hose not over one hundred (100) feet in length. Hose shall be equipped with combination fog nozzles. Sufficient pressure shall be available to afford a good fog pattern. Hose cabinets or racks shall be located near the separate exits. Standpipe outlets shall be so located that all portions of the roof area shall be within one hundred twenty (120) feet of the outlet.

E. Two fire extinguishers of at least sixteen (16) BC rating shall be provided, and be located remotely from each other.

F. No roof-top obstructions which may be difficult to see from the air shall be permitted within the required glide slope.

G. Such lights as are installed to illuminate the touch-down pad shall be directed on to the touch-down pad only, and in such a manner that the light rays cannot interfere with the helicopter pilot's vision, or other aircraft flying within the area of the landing facility.

H. No persons shall be permitted in the general landing area in any location where any portion of their bodies will be higher than the touch-down area surface while landing or take-off operations are underway.

I. Approved means of communication such as telephone, radio, fire alarm box, or signaling device shall be provided adjacent to the landing area.

J. If the roof has no parapet wall, a substantial fence shall be provided around the perimeter of the roof to insure the safety of all persons.

K. Roof-top markings. The bull's eye type marker shall be used for roof-top helistops. The painted border line marking the take-off and landing area may be a solid or broken line. The outer circle of the “bull's eye” should be inscribed within the touch-down area whose sides should be tangent to the circle. The dimensions of the bull's eye marker are thus determined by the size of the touch-down area. Each roof-top heliport should have painted with the bull's eye, in numerals not less than two feet in height, the maximum gross weight in thousands of pounds of the equipment which the roof is stressed to accept.

L. The helicopter landing facility should be located in such an area as would permit a glide slope angle determined by a ratio of eight feet horizontal distance for every one foot of vertical clearance required. Two such approaches shall be available, at least 90 degrees removed from each other.

M. The touch-down area shall be surrounded on all sides by a clear roof area averaging 15 feet in width, but with no side less than 5 feet wide. For helicopters of less than 3,500 pounds gross weight, the touch-down area shall be a minimum of 20 feet x 20 feet in size.

N. The touch-down area, if less than 3 feet above roof surface, should be available normally by only one path of approach which shall be within view of the pilot. If elevated more than 3 feet, two approaches opposite from each other shall be provided. However, one approach, which is not in view of the pilot, should be restricted and used only for emergencies.

O. The roof-top shall have two conforming exits and they shall be remote from each other.

P. No light standards, roof vents, guy lines, TV aerials, or other similar roof-top obstructions which may be difficult to see from the air, shall be permitted within the required glide slope on three sides, or within a 270 degree arc.

Q. No refueling or repairing is to be accomplished at the helistop except in extreme emergency and then only as approved by the Fire Department.

R. The roof-top shall be marked as prescribed by the Federal Aviation Agency.

S. The City Engineer's approval of a building for use as a roof-top facility shall be required as to structural adequacy.

('65 Code, § 17A-6) (Ord. No. CS-570 § 1 (part))

A. The helicopter landing facility should be located in such an area as would permit a glide slope angle determined by a ratio of eight feet horizontal distance for every one foot of vertical clearance required. Two such approaches shall be available, at least 90 degrees removed from each other.

B. An area of approximately 125 feet x 125 feet shall be required. This area shall be clearly defined by means of a substantial barrier providing physical restraint to prohibit the entrance of unauthorized persons into the landing area. A centrally located touch-down area at least 20 feet x 20 feet in size shall be provided for helicopters of less than 3,500 pounds gross weight.

C. No unauthorized persons whatsoever shall be permitted within the general landing area during flight operations.

D. The helicopter landing facility shall be marked as prescribed by the Federal Aviation Agency.

E. Any light installed shall illuminate and be directed onto the touch-down pad only, and in such a manner that the light rays cannot interfere with the pilot's vision.

F. A wind indicating device shall be installed. A flag, banner, or similar device is acceptable.

G. Two fire extinguishers of at least 16 BC rating shall be provided and be located remotely from each other.

H. Where buildings or structures in proximity to the landing area present a fire exposure hazard, there shall be provided at least two 1½ inches wet standpipe outlets equipped with 1½ inches fire hose, not over 100 feet in length, and a combination fog nozzle.

I. Approved means of communication such as telephone, radio, fire alarm box, or signaling device shall be provided adjacent to the landing area.

('65 Code, § 17A-7) (Ord. No. CS-570 § 1 (part))

It shall be unlawful to:

A. Operate a helicopter using a helistop within the City which is not equipped with the latest and most effective type of noise suppression devices and two-way radio communication equipment.

B. Repair or refuel a helicopter in a helistop except in the case of an emergency.

C. Land a helicopter or take off prior to 7:00 a.m. or later than 8:00 p.m. of any day.

D. Permit, as operator of a helistop, a greater number of landings and take-offs exceeding an average of five (5) or each per day, averaged monthly.

E. Violate the requirements of this Chapter or the regulations of the F.A.A. or any condition imposed upon the operation and users of helistops as contained in a conditional use permit or by a regulatory department of the City in protecting public safety.

F. Operate a helicopter in landing or taking off on or from a helistop within the City in a pattern contrary to the regulations of this Chapter or the conditions imposed by the Planning Commission, City Council or F.A.A.

G. Operate a helistop or permit its use without at all times having maintained in full force and effect public liability and property damage insurance in the amount of at least One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) with respect to property damage, and One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) single limit bodily injury coverage.

H. Operate a helistop, or to use the facilities of a helistop within the City for which a conditional use permit has not been duly issued.

('65 Code, § 17A-8) (Ord. No. CS-570 § 1 (part))

The provisions of this Chapter, pertaining to the operation of helicopters, shall not apply to any helicopter operated by the federal government, or a state, county, or city agency engaged in law enforcement, or fire suppression, or going to the aid of any person or the property thereof, so long as the same is operated in accordance with federal and state regulations and by the authorized personnel of said federal, state, county, or city agency.

('65 Code, § 17A-9) (Ord. No. CS-570 § 1 (part))