Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 12.04 Airport Regulations

The rules and regulations set out in this title are established and adopted for the use of the Riverside Municipal Airport, referred to in this title as the "airport". All persons using the airport or any facilities thereon in any manner, including the operation of aircraft or motor vehicles, shall obey all applicable rules and regulations herein, and policies as established and adopted, as may be revised periodically. "Airport Manager" means the Supervisor of the Riverside Municipal Airport or the authorized representative of said Airport Manager.

(Ord. No. 7662, § 1, 4-23-2024; Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.1)

The Riverside Municipal Airport shall be conducted as a public use facility for the promotion and accommodation of civil aviation and associated activities.

(Ord. 6773 § 1, 2004; 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.2)

The Airport shall be open for public use during all reasonable hours of the day and night, subject to such restrictions due to inclement weather, condition of the landing area, presentation of special events and like causes, as may be determined by the Airport Manager.

(Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.3)

No person shall release or fly or cause to be released or flown, within five miles of the airport, any moored balloons, kites, unmanned rocket, or unmanned free balloon which might be ingested by an aircraft engine or might cause a pilot's view of the airport and zone approach to be obstructed, or which could be used to suspend an object capable of endangering airborne aircraft or impairing a pilot's vision. The provisions of 14 CFR Part 101 relating to moored balloons, kites, unmanned rockets and unmanned free balloons shall be met.

The operation of ultralight aircraft on the airport shall be permitted only from a site designated by the Airport Manager. Ultralight aircraft with an official identification number and a two-way radio shall be controlled as any other heavier-than-air aircraft. The provisions of 14 CFR Part 103 shall strictly apply to all ultralight aircraft operating at the airport, as well as Sections 21012 and 21661 of the Public Utilities Code of the State of California.

(Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.3-1)

Flying of model aircraft within Riverside City limits shall conform to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular 91-57A, dated September 15, 2015, or as subsequently amended; and if flown within five miles of the airport, the operator shall first notify the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. For the purpose of this chapter, Model Aircraft shall mean any unmanned aircraft (1) capable of sustained flight; (2) flown within visual line of sight of the operator; and (3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes.

Flying of civil Unmanned Aircraft (UA) within Riverside City limits shall conform to FAA certification requirements, obtain appropriate exemptions from the FAA and notify the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. For the purpose of this chapter, civil Unmanned Aircraft shall mean an unmanned aircraft operated by any person for any purposes other than strictly hobby or recreational purposes, including but not limited to commercial purposes or in furtherance of, or incidental to any business or media service or agency.

(Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017)

Special services may be provided on such terms as the City Council may prescribe from time to time.

(Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.4)

All domesticated animals must be on a leash or otherwise restrained.

(Ord. No. 7763, § 1, 2026)

Commercial vendors not based at the Airport must comply with the commercial airport vendors policy. No person shall use the airport as a base for the carrying on of commercial and business activities, for the carrying for hire of passengers, freight, express or mail, for instruction in aviation in any of its branches, for the sale of fuels, refreshments or any commodity or service or for any other commercial purpose unless a lease, permit or license to conduct such business on the airport has been granted by the City. All business activity shall conform to the minimum standards established by the City.

Events to which the public will be invited require a Special Event Permit from the City.

If a tenant intends to invite an off-airport vendor or contractor to the Airport, contact the Airport Manager's office to confirm that this vendor has a City of Riverside business license, as well as the proper insurance. Tenants that provide Airport access to a vendor are responsible for their behavior while on Airport property. The vendor will be under escort by the tenant until escorted off airport property.

(Ord. No. 7763, § 2, 2026; Ord. No. 7662, § 2, 4-23-2024; Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.5)

The privilege of using the airport and its facilities shall be conditioned upon the assumption of full responsibility and risk by the user thereof, and such user shall release, hold harmless and indemnify the City, members of the City Council and the Airport Commission, its officers and employees, from any liability or loss resulting from such use, as well as against claims of third persons so using the airport. The exercise of the privilege of use shall constitute an acknowledgment that the City maintains the airport in a governmental capacity.

(Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.6)

No signs, posters or other advertising material shall be posted or distributed on the airport without prior permission of the Airport Manager. The granting of such permission by the Airport Manager shall not relieve the person posting or distributing such signs, posters or other advertising materials from complying with any other applicable law or ordinance.

(Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.7)

Any person damaging any airport light, fixture or other airport property shall report such damage to the Airport Manager's office immediately or in no event later than the beginning of the next business day and shall be fully responsible for any costs required to replace or repair the damaged property.

(Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.8)

A. No person shall enter any airport taxiway, runway, heliport, safety area or movement area, as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration, on foot, in a motor vehicle or bicycle or by any other means unless permission of the Airport Manager was first secured.

B. The Airport Manager is authorized to deny access to and prohibit the use of the airport to any person or firm which enters said restricted areas in violation of subsection A of this section.

(Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 5982 § 1, 1992; Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.9)

It shall be the responsibility of all aircraft owners, operators and users of the airport to become familiar with and adhere to the rules and regulations hereinafter set forth.

(Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; prior code § 5.10)

A. Unless authorized by the Airport Manager, no motor vehicles shall be operated on the airport except on roadways, parking areas or places that are designated for such vehicles.

B. No person shall operate any vehicle on the airport in a careless or negligent manner, in disregard for the safety of others, in excess of posted speed traffic signs and in no event in excess of 15 miles per hour. Near aircraft, the maximum speed shall not exceed five miles per hour. On ramps or near building areas, the maximum speed shall not exceed 15 miles per hour.

C. Motor vehicles on the airport shall always yield the right-of-way to aircraft on the ground or in the process of landing or taking off.

D. Any accident involving motor vehicles on the airport shall be reported to the Airport Manager.

E. Except as hereinafter set forth, motor vehicles on the airport shall only be parked in a manner and in areas so designated for such purpose. Fuel tank trucks, automotive or aircraft fuel tenders and trucks delivering flammable materials are prohibited from entering or being parked or stored in hangars. Vehicles and fuel and service vehicles owned and/or operated by the fixed base operators may be parked in their leased areas. Vehicles parked in uncovered areas will be required to display the aircraft parking space number on the vehicle. Aircraft owners who rent hangar space from a fixed base operator may be permitted to park one vehicle within that hangar space at the discretion of the fixed base operator with the reservation that any and all such vehicles would be under the control of the fixed base operator; also, if any car is to be locked, the keys shall be in the possession and control of the fixed base operator and such fixed base operator shall be responsible for compliance with this regulation.

F. All visitors, aircraft owners, and employees utilizing the terminal area of the airport must park in designated parking spaces. No motor vehicle shall be left unattended in any area designated as a taxiway between hangar rows or parking areas.

G. Illegally-parked vehicles at the airport may be issued parking violation citations or moved to designated parking areas. A charge for such towing may be levied, and the airport shall not assume any liability for damage while moving such vehicles.

H. Motor vehicles operated on the airport shall be appropriately licensed and shall comply with the insurance requirements imposed by the State of California for the operation of motor vehicles on the public street. Any operator of a motor vehicle on the airport shall furnish the Airport Manager with evidence of compliance with the insurance requirements if requested by the Airport Manager.

(Ord. No. 7662, § 3, 4-23-2024; Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 6554 § 3, 2000; Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; Ord. 3622 § 1 (part), 1969; prior code § 5.12)

Conformance with the Uniform Fire Code as adopted by the City is required of all users of the airport.

(Ord. 5661 § 1, 1988; Ord. 3622 § 1 (part), 1969; prior code § 5.13)

A. Findings. The Council finds that the cleaning and/or washing of aircraft at the Riverside Municipal Airport, except for the approved washracks, could result in the introduction of fuel, oil and other contaminants of hazardous substances into the storm drain system. It is therefore, necessary to regulate the cleaning and/or washing of aircraft and to control the discharge of wastes into the public sewer and storm drain systems as set forth in Chapter 14.12 of the Riverside Municipal Code.

B. Approved washracks. All cleaning and/or washing of aircraft is prohibited on any area of the airport except for the approved washracks.

C. Prohibited activity. The cleaning and/or washing of aircraft is prohibited on any area of the airport except for the approved washracks.

D. Violation. Every person who cleans and/or washes aircraft in any area of the Riverside Municipal Airport, except the approved washracks shall be in violation of the provisions of this section. Each incident shall be a new and separate offense.

E. "Cleaning" or "washing" an aircraft means the use of water together with solvents or cleansing agents.

(Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 6773 § 2, 2004; Ord. 6554 § 3, 2000)

A. Aircraft storage hangars shall be used only for the storage of aircraft, and associated aircraft equipment and supplies as approved by the Airport Manager. Hangars shall not be used primarily for the storage of automobiles, vehicles, boats, or other personal property not directly associated with the operation of aircraft.

B. The Airport Manager or a designee shall be authorized to enter and inspect hangars from time to time, provided that the Airport Manager has given notice to a lessee at least 24 hours prior to the date and time set for inspection.

C. Aircraft must be maintained in an airworthy condition with current annual inspections. Any person renting a hangar containing an aircraft that is not airworthy or who intends to restore, construct or engage in the major repair of an aircraft must register and file a work plan with the Airport Manager before initiating the project. The work plan shall be approved by the Airport Manager and shall contain the projected start and finish dates and scope of work. A regular project status report demonstrating timely progress pursuant to the work plan shall be filed with the Airport Manager. Failure to provide evidence of progress pursuant to the work plan or reasonable explanation for delay will result in a 30-day notice of eviction.

(Ord. No. 7662, § 4, 4-23-2024; Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 6773 § 3, 2004)

Except with the express written consent of the Airport Manager, no person shall engage in any major repair, restoration or construction of any aircraft in any location on the airport other than inside an approved hangar or other approved facility.

(Ord. 7362 § 4, 2017; Ord. 6773 § 4, 2004)