La Verne Municipal Code Ch. 9.30 Airport Regulations

The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as the "airport ordinance."

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, limb, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the various activities on airports operated within the city. The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to abrogate or otherwise invalidate any agreements between the city and the county of Los Angeles.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any person, firm or corporation using such airports or any navigation facility or portion thereof or space therein; provided, that in no case shall the public be deprived of its rightful, equal and uniform use of the landing area or air navigation facilities.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

The rules and regulations codified in this chapter are a supplement to state and federal laws, or any county law or ordinances that may be in effect, and in no manner will these rules be construed to reduce or limit the authority of said laws or regulations.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

"Aircraft"

means any contrivance, now known or hereafter invented, for use or designed for navigation of or flight in the air.

"Air traffic controller"

means any Federal Aviation Administration employee currently on duty in the control tower of the airport for the purpose of regulating aircraft, both in the air and on the airport grounds.

"Apron"

means that area normally used for the parking, tying down and fueling of aircraft and the movement of aircraft between main taxiways and hangars or aircraft parking space.

"Director"

means the director of aviation of the county of Los Angeles, or other person authorized by him or her to act in his or her behalf.

"Flight operations area"

means all taxiways and runways.

"Loading ramp"

means that space reserved for the loading and unloading of aircraft.

"Runway"

means that area of land on the airport that has been prepared and maintained for the landing and takeoff run of aircraft.

"Taxiway"

means that area of land on the airport that has been prepared and maintained for the movement of aircraft under its own power, on the surface of the ground. Taxiway does not include the apron or loading ramp.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

Persons shall not enter any restricted area posted as "closed" to the public except persons authorized by the director.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

All persons wishing to travel on any airport must do so only on roads, walks or places provided for this class of traffic. All persons shall use the roads or walks or places in such a manner as not to hinder or obstruct their proper use.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

No person, including but not limited to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists, shall enter, cross or remain upon any runway or taxiway during house of control tower operation, without the explicit or implied consent of the on-duty air traffic controller.

A. For the purposes of this section, explicit consent will be deemed to have been given when two-way radio communication has been established with the controller and permission has been given to enter, cross or remain on such runway and taxiway; or the person intending to enter the runway or taxiway has been shown a solid green light from the light gun displayed by the air traffic controller in the control tower.

B. For the purposes of this section, implied consent will be deemed to have been given when the subject runway or taxiway has been suspended to all aircraft by the air traffic controller to allow necessary personnel access in resolving aircraft incidents.

C. This section shall not apply to police and fire personnel, or their agents, when immediate response onto the runway or taxiway is deemed necessary by such personnel for the preservation of life. In all cases, police and fire personnel shall contact the air traffic controller as soon as is practicable under the circumstances requiring their response.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

Dogs and other animals may be permitted on an airport only if on a leash or confined in such a manner as to be under control.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

A. No one shall use, climb upon, sit in, push or otherwise touch property of others parked or based on the airport.

B. Children under fourteen years of age must be accompanied by adults when in any area except the terminal building.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

All persons wishing to use an airport, or any portion thereof, for any revenue-producing activity such as, but not limited to, commercial photography, air shows, air charters, flight instruction, sales of equipment, supplies or aircraft, and maintenance or repair of aircraft, or for any consideration of any nature whatsoever, must secure an appropriate permit, license or lease for such activity from the director and pay the rates and charges prescribed for such use. Such permit, license or lease is in addition to the required city business license.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

A. Persons shall not board or disembark from any aircraft on the landing or takeoff area.

B. Aircraft shall not be permitted to stop on or remain on any part of the landing or takeoff area. Engine operation when loading or unloading passengers is prohibited except in cases where FAA regulations permit.

C. Persons or equipment are not allowed on runways or taxiways except when authorized by the director.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

A. The loading gate in front of the administration building or such other designated areas will be used only for the immediate loading or unloading of passengers, baggage freight or cargo.

B. Aircraft at the loading gate shall move out of the area as soon as loaded or unloaded.

C. If an aircraft is delayed because of late passengers, equipment trouble, or for any other reason, the aircraft shall be moved to an area designated by the director.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

A. Aircraft shall be stored and repairs made only in areas designated for that purpose by the director. Privately owned aircraft shall be parked only in the aircraft parking area or in a hangar.

B. Flying school and rental aircraft shall be parked and operated from an area assigned them by the director.

C. Visiting aircraft shall be parked in the aircraft parking area in positions assigned them by the director.

D. At the direction of the director, the operator, owner or pilot of any aircraft on the airport, shall move the aircraft from the place where it is parked or stored to any other place designated on the airport. If the operator refuses to comply with the director, the director may order the aircraft moved or towed to such designated place at the operator's expense and without liability for damage to the city, its officers, employees or agents, that may result from such moving.

E. Open parking spaces for aircraft shall not be used for storage of toolboxes, ladders, storage lockers or other tools or equipment.

F. Hangar entrances shall be kept clear at all times.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

No person who is under the influence of, or in possession of, intoxicating liquor, narcotics or any dangerous drug, shall board or operate any aircraft or motor vehicle upon the airport.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

Aircraft shall not be left unattended unless properly tied down. Owners of such aircraft shall be held responsible for any damage resulting from failure to comply with this rule.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

No person shall fly or cause or permit the flying of a model aircraft, kite or similar device on any airport, or within any distance of the airport that might disrupt the safe operation of aircraft.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

Motor vehicles shall be operated on an airport in accordance with the motor vehicle laws of the state and the city. In addition thereto, the regulations set forth in this chapter pertaining to operation of motor vehicles on airports shall apply.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

A. Motor vehicles shall not be permitted on the airport flight operations area except by prior approval of the director.

B. All motor vehicles in daily use on the flight operations area shall be painted as set forth in the Federal Aviation Administration Regulations.

C. Other motor vehicles having occasion to enter the flight operations area shall display a flag above the vehicle. This flag shall be not less than three feet square, consisting of a checkered pattern of orange and white squares of not less than one foot on a side with the orange squares appearing at the corners and in the center of the flag.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

All fire gates and entrances shall be kept clear of motor vehicles at all times.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

All motor vehicles shall load and unload only at locations designated by the director.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

Motor vehicles shall be operated on established streets and roadways in strict compliance with speed limits posted on traffic signs, and in any event shall not be in excess of twenty-five miles per hour, and shall at all times be operated in a proper and safe manner. On passenger loading ramps and in areas immediately adjacent to hangars, speed shall not exceed ten miles per hour.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

The operator of a motor vehicle authorized to enter taxiways or runways shall exercise caution so as to keep clear of aircraft and shall follow any directions from the control tower.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

Motor vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to aircraft.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

Motor vehicles shall not be parked on an airport other than in the manner and at locations designated by the director.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

No person shall clean or make any repairs to motor vehicles anywhere on an airport, except those minor repairs immediately necessary to remove such motor vehicles from an airport.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

A. Adequate and readily accessible fire extinguishers shall be provided by lessees, and maintained in proper working order. Each fire extinguisher shall carry a suitable tab showing date of the most recent inspection.

B. Use of any fire equipment, no matter how trivial, shall be reported to the director immediately after use.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

A. Smoking or lighting of open flames shall be prohibited in the following locations:

1. Places with posted "no smoking" signs;

2. On ramps or aprons;

3. Within fifty feet of fuel trucks or fuel-loading stations.

B. Persons shall not be permitted to conduct any open-flame operations in any building, or part thereof, except those specifically rented for repair-shop purposes, unless specifically authorized by the director.

C. Open flames, unprotected light bulbs, blowtorches, heaters, welding or other causes of fire or sources of sparks shall not be permitted within a distance of one hundred feet while any fuel filling or draining operations are being conducted, or at any distance where ignition of fuel vapors is possible.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

A. No person shall keep, use or discard any flammable liquids, gases, signal flares or other similar material in hangars or in any building on any airport; however, such materials may be kept in aircraft in the proper receptacles installed in the aircraft for such purpose, or in rooms or areas specifically approved for such storage by the director.

B. No cylinder or flask of compressed flammable gas shall be kept or stored except at such place as may be designated by the director.

C. No gasoline shall be stored above ground or brought upon the premises of an airport except by persons duly authorized by the director.

D. The process of fabric preparation or painting shall not be carried on in any hangar or building other than those specifically approved for the purpose.

E. No aircraft shall be fueled or drained while in a hangar or other enclosed place. Fueling shall be done in such a manner and with such equipment that adequate connections for the grounding at a point of zero electrical potential shall be continuously maintained during such times.

F. No person shall use flammable violate liquids in cleaning operations, unless such cleaning operations are conducted in open air and fifty feet or more away from any other airplane, equipment or building.

G. Aircraft or aircraft engines shall not be cleaned or degreased unless such operations are done in maintenance areas properly equipped to handle such work.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1.24.010, establishing the penalty for violation of this code as a misdemeanor, the city prosecutor, in his or her sound discretion, may prosecute a violation of this chapter as an infraction, rather than as a misdemeanor. The city prosecutor may also reduce or agree to the reduction of a previously filed misdemeanor to an infraction. Every person convicted of an infraction for violation of any provision of this chapter shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for a first violation, a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation of the same section within one year and a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars for each additional violation of the same section within one year. A fourth violation within one year shall constitute a misdemeanor.

"City prosecutor" refers to the city's contract with the district attorney's office for the prosecution of municipal code violations.

(Ord. 870 § 1, 1995)