Sacramento Municipal Code Ch. 12.92 Heliports and Helistops

"Elevated heliport" means a heliport located on a rooftop or some other elevated structure where the TLOF is at least thirty (30) inches above ground level.

"Emergency medical services (EMS) helicopter landing site" means a site that is not permitted or licensed as a heliport or helistop and that is located at or as near as practical to a medical emergency or at or near a medical facility and is designated an EMS helicopter landing site by the fire chief under authority of Public Utilities Code Section 21662.1 and the state regulations.

"Emergency evacuation facility" means a rooftop emergency facility.

"Emergency use facility" means an area for accommodating helicopters in support of emergency public safety agency operations, but that is not permitted or licensed as a heliport or helistop which is not used as a heliport for any other purpose.

"Fire Chief" means the fire chief of the city of Sacramento or his or her designee.

"General aviation (GA) heliport" means a heliport intended to accommodate individuals, corporations, and helicopter air taxi operators. Scheduled passenger services may be available. GA heliports do not include emergency medical services (EMS) helicopter landing sites, emergency use facilities, hospital heliports, rooftop emergency facilities, or temporary helicopter landing sites.

"Heliport" means an area of land or water or a structural surface which is used or intended to be used for the landing and take-off of helicopters, and any appurtenant areas which are used, or intended for use, for heliport buildings and other heliport facilities, and that is permitted or licensed by the California Department of Transportation.

"Helistop" means a minimally developed heliport for boarding and discharging passengers or cargo. The heliport/helistop relationship is comparable to a bus terminal/bus stop relationship with respect to the extent of services provided or expected. Unless otherwise stated, all references to heliports in this chapter shall include helistops.

"Hospital heliport" means a heliport limited to serving helicopters engaged in air ambulance or other hospital related functions.

"Rooftop emergency facility" means a clear area of a roof of a tall building that is not permitted or licensed as a heliport or helistop and is not intended to function as a heliport, yet it capable of accommodating helicopters engaged in fire fighting and/or emergency evacuation operations. Rooftop emergency facility is also known as an "emergency evacuation facility."

"State regulations" means the rules and regulations governing airports and heliports issued by the California State Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics (21 California Code of Regulations Section 3525 et seq., Airports and Heliports), including the recommendations contained in the Federal Aviation Administration's Advisory Circular AC 150/5390-2B and all other ACs referenced by and/or incorporated into the rules and regulations governing airports and heliports issued by the California Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics.

"Temporary helicopter landing site" means a site, other than an emergency medical services helicopter landing site, that is not permitted or licensed as a heliport or helistop and that is used for landing and taking off of helicopters, where the use is for one year or less, except for recurrent or annual events, is not marked or lighted as a heliport, and is not used exclusively for helicopter operations.

"TLOF" means touchdown and lift-off area and is a load bearing, generally paved area on which a helicopter lands or takes off. (Ord. 2006-023 § 1)

In addition to the requirements of this chapter, the establishment and operation of heliports are subject to Title 17 of this code. (Ord. 2006-023 § 1)

A. General Aviation (GA) Heliports. GA heliports are subject to and shall be designed to conform with all applicable State regulations, including, but not limited to, AC 150/5390-2B Chapter 2.

B. Hospital Heliports. Hospital heliports are subject to and shall be designed to conform with all applicable State regulations, including, but not limited to, AC 150/5390-2B Chapter 4.

C. Rooftop Emergency Facilities. Rooftop emergency facilities are subject to and shall be designed to conform with all applicable state regulations, including, but not limited to, AC 150/5390-2B Section 105. (Ord. 2006-023 § 1)

A. The TLOF and any TLOF supporting structures of elevated heliports and rooftop emergency facilities shall be subject to and conform with the construction standards contained in the state regulations, including, but not limited to, AC 150/5390-2B Chapter 8.

B. The TLOF and any TLOF supporting structures of elevated heliports and rooftop emergency facilities shall be subject to and conform with the surface characteristics standards contained in the state regulations, including, but not limited to, AC 150/5390-2B Chapters 2 and 4. (Ord. 2006-023 § 1)

Except in case of an emergency, no person shall land any helicopter within the corporate limits of the city except at the following locations:

A. An airport;

B. A GA heliport;

C. A hospital heliport;

D. A rooftop emergency facility, with the authorization of the fire chief;

E. An emergency medical services helicopter landing site established in conformance with the state regulations and subject to a permit issued by the fire chief;

F. A temporary helicopter landing site established in conformance with the state regulations and with the prior authorization of the fire chief;

G. An emergency use facility under the direction of the fire chief. (Ord. 2006-023 § 1)

On buildings supporting a helistop construction of the touchdown area shall be noncombustible. The surface of the touchdown and adjacent area shall be covered with an impervious and noncombustible material. Surfaces must be properly drained. (Ord. 2006-023 § 1)

Heliports constructed and operated within the city shall comply with the following safety requirements:

A. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, heliports shall be subject to and conform with the fire safety operational requirements for the protection of persons, aircraft, and other property contained in the National Fire Protection Association's Standard for Heliports (NFPA 418 (2001 ed.)) to the satisfaction of the fire chief.

B. The touchdown or landing area on rooftops shall be elevated or provision made for collecting gasoline which may be spilled in the event of an emergency.

C. No refueling or repairing is to be accomplished at an elevated helistop or rooftop emergency facility except in extreme emergency, and then only as approved by the fire chief. (Ord. 2006-023 § 1)