San Juan Capistrano Municipal Code Ch. 29 Regulation of Helicopter Landings and Other Landings

The City Council hereby finds that the landing of any helicopter (excluding police and fire public safety landings), or other objects such as airplanes or hot air balloons, anywhere within the corporate City boundaries is a public nuisance by reason of the potential safety hazards, noise pollution, and adverse aesthetic impacts arising from such landings.

“Landing” is also defined to include the hovering of helicopters in close proximity to the ground for purposes of loading equipment or other materials onto the ground, structures, or buildings.

(Ord. No. 825, § 1, 1998)

Based upon the findings set forth in Section 5-29.01, the landing of any helicopter (excepting police and fire public safety landings) or any other object, such as airplanes or hot air balloons, anywhere within the corporate City boundaries is hereby prohibited.

However, any person desiring to use a helicopter in a hovering manner for the purpose of loading equipment or other materials onto the ground, structures, or buildings may apply to the City Manager for a permit, which shall be evaluated by the City Manager on a case-by-case basis. The City Manager is authorized to impose conditions on the permit to mitigate any potential health and safety hazards from such activity.

(Ord. No. 825, § 1, 1998)