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§ 15.55

Glenn County Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Glenn County

15.55.010 Purpose

Pursuant to the authority conferred by the Government Code of the state of California, and in conformance with the standards of the Federal Aviation Administration, this chapter is adopted for the purpose of promoting and safeguarding the health, safety and general welfare of the inhabitants of the county by preventing the creation, establishment or maintenance of airport hazards, thereby protecting the lives and property of the users of the Glenn County airports (Willows and Orland) and of the occupants of the land in the vicinity of the airports, and preventing the destruction and impaired use of the airports and the public investment therein. The AVH zone is a zone which may be combined with any other zone in this title. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006) 15.55.020 Necessity

The creation and establishment of an airport hazard is a public nuisance and an injury to the areas served by the airports. It is necessary, in the interest of the public health and safety and the general welfare, that the creation or establishment of airport hazards be prevented. To the maximum extent legally possible, prevention of such hazards should be accomplished by the exercise of the police power without compensation. It is further declared that both the prevention of airport hazards and the elimination, removal, alteration, mitigation or marking and lighting of existing airport hazards are public purposes for which the county raises and expends public funds and acquires lands, interests in lands, or easements over lands. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006) 15.55.030 Zones

In order to carry out the purposes of this chapter, all land within the boundaries of an airport and other lands in the vicinity of the airport are divided into runway approach zones, transitional zones, horizontal zones and conical zones. The zones underlie the approach, transitional, horizontal, and conical surfaces defined in FAR 77.25, boundaries of which are shown on the airport zoning maps. The approach airport zoning maps shall be kept on file in the office of the county clerk, and such zoning maps along with all amendments thereto are made a part of this chapter. Amendments to such maps shall be entered on the official zoning maps which shall be maintained current at all times. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

15.55.040 Height Limitations

  1. Willows Airport. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no structure or tree shall be erected, altered, maintained or allowed to grow in any zone created by this chapter to a height in excess of the applicable height limit established herein for each such zone. For purposes of determining these heights, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic (based) Survey has established the official elevation reference of the Willows Airport to be one hundred thirty-eight feet and all height limits shall be based on that elevation as follows: 1. Horizontal zone, one hundred fifty feet;

  2. Conical zone, one hundred fifty feet at the inner perimeter increasing uniformly at a slope of 20:1 (one foot vertically for each twenty feet horizontally) to the outer perimeter; 3. Approach Zones. For runways 16-34 and 13-31 as designated on the Willows Airport Zoning Map, the height shall not exceed that permitted by an approach slope of 34:1 and 20:1 respectively and in no event shall the height exceed one hundred fifty feet;

  3. Transition Zones. The height of objects shall not be such as to penetrate a transitional surface commencing at the side of the primary surface and sloping upward and outward at a slope of 7:1 (one foot vertically for each seven feet horizontally) and extending to a height of two hundred fifty feet above the airport elevation. The same restriction shall apply beginning at the sides of, and at the same elevation as, the approach surface and extending to where the slope intersects the conical surface.

  4. Orland Airport. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no structure or tree shall be erected, altered, maintained or allowed to grow to a height in excess of the applicable height limits established as shown on the Orland Airport zoning map, For purposes of determining these heights, the U.S. Coast and Geodetic (based) Survey has established the official elevation reference of the Orland Airport to be two hundred ten feet, and all height limits shall be based on that elevation. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

15.55.050 Use Restrictions

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, no use may be made of land (or water) within any zone and height limitations established by this chapter which will:

  1. Create electrical interference with navigational signals or radio communications between the airport and aircraft; 2. Make it difficult for pilots to distinguish between airport lights and other lights; 3. Result in glare in the eyes of pilots using the airport; 4. Impair visibility of the airport; or

  2. Otherwise in any way create a hazard or endanger the landing, takeoff, or maneuvering of aircraft using or intending to use the airport. 6. The use restrictions imposed by subsection A of this section shall not be applied so as to prevent any present or future agricultural use or practice so long as the agricultural use or practice does not cause a permanent penetration of the height limitations set forth in Section 15.55.040. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

15.55.060 Nonconforming Uses

  1. The regulations prescribed in this chapter shall not be construed to require the removal, lowering or otherwise changing or altering of any structure or tree not conforming to the regulations as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter nor otherwise interfere with the continuation of a nonconforming use. Nothing contained in this chapter shall require any change in the construction, alteration, or intended use of any structure, the construction or alteration of which was begun prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, and which is diligently prosecuted.

    1. Notwithstanding the foregoing ban on retroactivity, the owner of any existing nonconforming structure or tree is required to permit the installation, operation and maintenance thereon of such markers, markings or lights as shall be deemed necessary by the airport manager to indicate to pilots of aircraft in the vicinity of the airport the presence of such hazards. Such markers and lights shall be installed, operated, and maintained at the expense of the county. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

15.55.070 Variances

Any person desiring to erect any structure or increase the height of any structure or permit the growth of any tree or otherwise use the property in a manner contrary to the regulations adopted under this chapter may apply to the planning authority for a variance application. Such variances shall be allowed where a literal application or enforcement of the regulations would result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and the relief would not be contrary to the public interest, but do substantial justice and be in accordance with the spirit of the regulations and this chapter. No variance shall be granted for a use or activity which is not authorized by the county zoning regulations which applies to the property. Any variance may be allowed subject to reasonable conditions that the planning commission may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. In granting any variance under this chapter, the planning commission may, if it deems such action advisable to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and reasonable in the circumstances, so condition such variance as to require the owner of the structure or tree in question to permit the county, at the owner’s expense, to install, operate and maintain thereon such markers and lights as may be necessary to indicate to pilots the presence of an airport hazard. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

15.55.080 Conflicting Regulations

Where there exists a conflict between any of the regulations or limitations prescribed in this chapter and any other regulations applicable to the same area, whether the conflict is with respect to the height of structures or trees, the use of land, or any other matter, the more stringent limitation or requirement shall govern and prevail. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

Division 15-4 Development Standards Division 15-4 Part 1 Performance Standards Division 15-4 Part 2 Public Improvement Standards Division 15-4 Part 3 Building Standards Division 15-4 Part 1 Performance Standards 15.56 Performance Standards 15.57 Landscaping Standards 15.58 Right To Farm 15.59 Minimum Residential Construction Standards 15.60 Density Bonus 15.61 Off-Street Parking And Loading Facilities 15.62 Sign Standards

15.56 Performance Standards 15.56.010 Purpose 15.56.020 Compliance Procedures 15.56.030 Exceptions 15.56.040 Air Quality 15.56.050 Electromagnetic Interference 15.56.060 Erosion Control 15.56.070 Fire And Explosion Hazards 15.56.080 Glare And Heat 15.56.090 Liquid, Solid And Hazardous Wastes 15.56.100 Noise 15.56.110 Open And Outdoor Storage, Sales And Display 15.56.120 Radioactivity

15.56.130 Vibrations 15.56.140 Commercial Coach 15.56.150 Restrooms 15.56.160 Storage Of Accumulation Vehicles 15.56.010 Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to establish performance standards or their functional equivalent to promote compatibility among various uses of land; protect and enhance the rural-agricultural character of the county; protect the health, safety or welfare of the community; and control noise, dust, odor, smoke, vibration, danger to life and property, or similar causes likely to create a public nuisance. All uses permitted in this title shall comply with all applicable performance standards of the base zoning district as set forth herein, except as provided in Division 4. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006) 15.56.020 Compliance Procedures

  1. The director may require pertinent information demonstrating that the proposed use will comply with all applicable performance standards prior to issuance of any ministerial or discretionary approval. This information may consist of a report prepared by a qualified technical consultant(s).

  2. When technical information is required, accurate and representative measurements shall be made according to accepted engineering or scientific practice. Measurements shall be made at the exterior lot lines. (Ord. 1183 § 2, 2006)

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▸ Contents — Glenn County Zoning Code
Glenn County Zoning Code
  1. § 15.01
  2. 15.02 Definitions
  3. § 15.04
  4. § 15.09
  5. § 15.11
  6. § 15.16
  7. § 15.22
  8. 15.23 Land Divisions
  9. § 15.31
  10. § 15.32
  11. § 15.33
  12. § 15.34
  13. § 15.35
  14. § 15.36
  15. § 15.39
  16. § 15.40
  17. § 15.43
  18. 15.44 M - Industrial Zone
  19. § 15.46
  20. § 15.47
  21. § 15.48
  22. § 15.51
  23. § 15.52
  24. § 15.55
  25. § 15.56
  26. § 15.57
  27. 15.58 Right To Farm
  28. § 15.64
  29. § 15.65
  30. § 15.67
  31. § 15.68
  32. § 15.71
  33. § 15.72
  34. § 15.74
  35. § 15.745
  36. 15.77 Collector
  37. § 15.78
  38. § 15.795
  39. § 15.797
  40. § 15.798
  41. § 15.80
  42. § 15.801
  43. § 15.81
  44. § 15.83
  45. § 15.85
  46. 15.86 Power Generation Facilities 15.86.010 Purpose 15.86.020 …

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