Sacramento Municipal Code Ch. 12.84 Aircraft Regulations Generally

The following words, when used in this chapter shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

"Aerial acrobatics" includes any manipulation of the controls of an aircraft which tends, or may tend, to divert the aircraft from a normal flight in a horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the earth, save and excepting only such manipulation of the controls as may be necessary to cause the aircraft to ascend or descend from one altitude to another, by means of a gradual ascent or descent with every consideration of stability and safety.

"Aircraft" includes every kind of vehicle or structure intended for use as a means of transporting persons or goods, or both, in the air. "Aircraft" includes helicopters.

"Fly" or "flight" includes every kind of locomotion by an aircraft.

"Helicopter" means a rotorcraft which depends for its motion and support in the air principally upon the lift generated by one or more power-driven rotors that rotate on substantially vertical axis. (Prior code § 4.01.001)

The rules and regulations promulgated by the Civil Aeronautics Administration of the government of the United States and the laws of the state are declared to be in effect for all purposes and shall be followed by all aircraft operating in or over the city. The city council declares that if any provision recited in this chapter is more stringent than federal, state or county regulations the provisions of this chapter shall apply. (Prior code § 4.01.002)

It is unlawful for any person to fly at an altitude less than two thousand (2,000) feet over the city except when taking off or landing. (Prior code § 4.01.003)

It is unlawful for any person to engage in aerial acrobatics over any part or section within the city limits. (Prior code § 4.01.004)

It is unlawful for any person to cause to be dropped or permit to be dropped from any aircraft or anything attached thereto any articles or objects, unless special waiver has been issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and a conditional use permit issued by the city manager or his or her duly authorized representative. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 37; prior code § 4.01.005)

It is unlawful for any person to cause or allow unnecessary loud noises to be emitted from an aircraft engine while in flight or from the propeller thereof, which may create a disturbance or nuisance while in flight over the city. (Prior code § 4.01.006)

It is unlawful for any person to begin or terminate any flight at any place within the city limits other than at a regularly established landing field, heliport or helistop especially designated as such by the city council and licensed by the division of aeronautics of the state, except in case of an extreme emergency beyond the control of the aircraft pilot.

Helicopters are excepted from this regulation but only when permission has been granted by the city manager or his or her authorized representative for the performance of special missions. Such exceptions will be authorized on the submission of evidence of a satisfactory alternate landing area in the approach over populated areas and the presentation of an insurance policy for each helicopter operation in the minimum amount of three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($350,000.00) single limit bodily injury liability and property damage.

The airport manager will evaluate all such requests for exceptions to insure that safety provisions are met. (Prior code § 4.01.007)

The city council upon application, may allow flights of aircraft in exception to the provisions of Sections 12.84.030, 12.84.040 and 12.84.070 of this chapter subject to such terms and conditions as it may prescribe. (Prior code § 4.01.007-1)

If the operator of any aircraft is declared to be in violation of Sections 12.84.030 to 12.84.070 of this chapter by the airport manager or his or her designated representative, such finding shall be presumptive evidence of such violation. (Prior code § 4.01.008)

It is unlawful for any person to dust, seed or spray any form of plant life from an aircraft over the city or to practice or exercise aerial maneuvers incident to such operation of dusting, seeding or spraying within the city. A permit waiving the provisions of this section may be approved by the police chief, city health officer and airport superintendent or, in the event of an emergency due to delay in the interest of public welfare, approval by the city health officer. (Prior code § 4.01.009)

It is unlawful for any person to allow any aircraft carrying inflammables other than aviation gasoline, such as poisonous chemicals or other agricultural pest control material, to land or take off within the city unless a permit is first obtained from the city manager. (Prior code § 4.01.010)

It is unlawful for any person to operate any aircraft over the city in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of others. (Prior code § 4.01.011)

The city shall have the right to limit the number of airplanes which may operate over the city during any one day. (Prior code § 4.01.012)

All persons desiring to broadcast from airplanes or aircraft over the city, by means of sound amplifiers or loud-speakers, for the purpose of advertising from the air or the calling of the public's attention to the happening of a certain event shall conform to the rules and regulations set out in Sections 12.84.150 to 12.84.210 of this chapter. (Prior code § 4.01.013)

No person shall broadcast with loudspeakers from the air over the city without first obtaining a permit therefor. All persons desiring to broadcast from the air over the city shall register with the chief of police and furnish such data as is required, and if the application is approved, a permit will be issued to broadcast from the air over the city. (Prior code § 4.01.014)

Every application for a permit hereunder shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee established by resolution of the city council. This fee shall be in addition to any fee or tax imposed by Chapter 3.08 of this code. (Prior code § 4.01.014-1)

A permit to broadcast from the air may be revoked at any time by the chief of police for failure to abide by the rules as provided in this chapter and for good cause as may be determined by him or her. (Prior code § 4.01.015)

All permits to broadcast from the air over the city shall be good until revoked. (Prior code § 4.01.016)

No broadcasting from the air shall start before the hour of eleven a.m. and shall cease after six-fifteen p.m.; provided, that no broadcasting shall be allowed on Sundays. (Prior code § 4.01.017)

No broadcasting shall be done over hospitals, outdoor concerts or similar entertainments. (Prior code § 4.01.018)

Broadcasting of music shall not be permitted. (Prior code § 4.01.019)