Santa Barbara County Municipal Code § 4-14 Reserved

The following words and phrases whenever used herein shall be construed as defined in this section unless a different meaning is stated, or unless a different meaning is specifically defined:

(a) "County" shall mean and have reference to the county of Santa Barbara, California.

(b) "Board of Supervisors" or "Board" shall mean the board of supervisors of the county of Santa Barbara, California.

(c) "Airport committee" shall mean the committee appointed by the board of supervisors and charged with the responsibility of receiving information from interested persons and airport users in the community and to report the findings of the same to the board of supervisors and to act in an advisory capacity on airport matters to the board of supervisors.

(d) "Airport manager" shall mean the manager of county airports appointed by the board of supervisors. The airport manager shall possess the appropriate management and/or aviation experience required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of this position as determined by the board of supervisors.

(e) "Airport" and "county airport" shall mean, except where otherwise indicated, the airport owned and operated by Santa Barbara County located near Santa Ynez, as it now exists and as it may hereafter be developed.

(f) "Fixed base operator" shall mean that person, persons, or company or corporation who have a valid operating lease with the board of supervisors for a commercial operation on the leased areas and flying facilities of county airports.

(g) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association or government agency, including trustee, receiver, assignee or similar representative.

(h) "Aircraft" shall mean a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air.

(i) "Based aircraft" shall mean any aircraft which utilizes the airport as a base of operations for other than occasional transient purposes, and is registered at the airport and is assigned a reserved parking space, tie-down or hangar space on the airport or adjoining property.

(j) "Transient Aircraft" shall mean any aircraft which utilizes the airport for occasional transient purposes.

(k) "Ramp" or "apron" shall mean that area situated in front of and about the airport buildings normally used for the parking, tieing down, fueling of aircraft, and the movement of aircraft among the main taxiway, hangars and aircraft parking spaces.

(l) "Main taxiway" shall mean the taxiway immediately adjacent to and parallel with the runway. This does not refer to the taxiways among the ramp or hangar areas.

(m) "Fire prevention officer" shall mean any individual authorized by the county fire chief to make inspections to determine compliance with the fire code adopted by the county, hereinafter referred to as the Uniform Fire Code, and to issue citations for violations thereof.

(Ord. No. 3948, § 1)

* As to administration generally, see ch. 2 of this Code. As to personnel generally, see ch. 27 of this Code.

Safety, consideration for the persons and property of others, sensible actions and good judgment are the basic principles of the following rules:

(a) Public Use. The airport shall be open to the public for all operations in accordance with the federal aviation regulations and in accordance with the published procedures and limitations as determined in the interest of safety by the airport manager who may seek the recommendation of the airport committee.

(b) Airport Liability. Use of the airport and its facilities is conditioned upon the assumption of full responsibility and risk by the user thereof; and the county, its agents, employees and the airport committee shall not be liable for loss, damage, or injury to persons or property arising out of any accident, incident, or mishap of any nature whatsoever or from any cause whatsoever to any individual, aircraft or property occurring on the airport or in the use of any of the airport facilities.

(c) Compliance with Rules. A person utilizing the facilities of the airport shall comply with all federal, state and local laws, ordinances, regulations and codes applied thereto.

(d) Business or Commercial Activity. No person shall establish or engage in any business or commercial activity of any nature whatsoever on the airport unless that person has obtained a written lease from the board of supervisors who may seek the advice of the airport committee or has obtained a commercial use license from the airport manager.

(e) Commercial Use License. A commercial use license may be issued by the airport manager, who may seek the advice of the airport committee, for the operation of an aviation-related business or commercial activity on the airport, that conforms to the terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the airport manager who may seek the advice of the airport committee.

(f) Signs. No person shall post, distribute or display signs, advertisements, circulars, printed or written matter outside of any building or aircraft at the airport without first obtaining written permission from the airport manager.

(g) Commercial Photography. No person shall take still, motion or sound pictures for commercial purposes on the airport without a permit from the airport manager and coordinating such activity with the fixed base operator. News media are exempt from the permit requirements, provided they coordinate such activity with the fixed base operator.

(h) Airport Access. It is unlawful for any person to have access to the airport for aircraft or vehicle use except at such public or commercial locations specifically designated by the airport manager.

(i) Pedestrian Safety. No pedestrian shall be allowed upon any landing area, runway, or main taxiway of the airport without first obtaining permission from the airport manager of the fixed base operator. Persons on the apron shall be careful to keep clear of any moving aircraft or turning propeller.

(j) Picketing. No person shall walk in a picket line as a picket or take part in any labor or other public demonstrations on any part of the airport, except in places which would only affect the specific operation picketed or demonstrated against, if any, and which are specifically designated for such use by the airport manager.

(k) Sanitation. Garbage, litter, refuse and any other waste material shall be placed in receptacles provided for that purpose.

(l) Disorderly Conduct. No person shall commit any disorderly, obscene, indecent or unlawful act or commit any nuisance on the airport.

(m) Under the Influence. No person under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics or drugs shall approach closer than fifty feet to any aircraft.

(n) Agricultural Operation. Agricultural spray operations shall not be conducted from the airport without prior permission of the airport manager. The airport manager shall designate the agricultural aircraft loading area and shall review appropriate airport rules and noise procedures with the agricultural spray operator.

(o) County Bulletin Board. A bulletin board shall be located in a prominent location at the airport for the posting of administrative and operational documents approved by the airport manager who may seek the advice of the airport committee. This may include the county airport rules and regulations, Uniform Fire Code relative to airports, noise abatement procedures, traffic pattern diagrams for all aircraft operations, hangar assignment rules, hangar waiting lists and airport committee information. The fixed base operator shall maintain the bulletin board in an orderly and current manner. All users of the airport shall be deemed to have notice of matters so posted.

(a) Operation of Aircraft. No person shall navigate any aircraft, land upon, fly same from or conduct any aircraft operation on or from the airport other than in compliance with current rules and regulations issued by the federal aviation administration, the California Department of Aeronautics and the county of Santa Barbara.

(b) Certified Aircraft. No person shall operate any aircraft at the airport unless the certification of the aircraft complies with all current federal aviation regulations.

(c) Aircraft Nuisance. No person shall operate the engine or engines of any aircraft at any location on the airport in such a manner as to cause damage to, or blow dirt on, other aircraft, property or buildings, or in such a manner as to cause a noise nuisance.

(d) Traffic Pattern. The airport traffic pattern diagram and description shall be posted and shall be complied with by all aircraft owners and/or operators. All airport traffic pattern documents shall be issued by the airport manager who may seek the advice of the airport committee.

(e) Glider Operations. The rules for glider operations and glider traffic pattern diagram and description shall be posted and shall be complied with by all glider owners and/or operators.

(f) Miscellaneous Operations. Parachute jumping, operation of airships, balloons, hang gliders, ultra-light aircraft, kites, rockets or model aircraft within the airport boundaries shall comply with the rules and regulations issued by the airport manager who may seek the advice of the airport committee.

(This is a future section that is awaiting federal aviation administration guidelines. Because the county airports receive federal grant funds, the federal noise abatement guidelines will be reviewed for compliance when they become available.)

(a) Register Aircraft. The owners and/or operators of all based aircraft on the airport shall register their aircraft with the airport manager and the fixed base operator prior to beginning operations. A change in registration shall be required with any change in ownership. All aircraft occupying county-owned hangars and tie-downs shall have an aircraft storage license, or shall otherwise be considered and charged as transient aircraft. Based aircraft occupying storage space covered by other lease or license agreements shall be regulated by the terms and conditions prescribed in those agreements.

(b) Hangar and Tie-down Assignments. The airport manager who may seek the advice of the airport committee shall issue hangar and tie-down assignment rules. The assignment rules and the current hangar waiting list shall be posted.

(c) Hangar List Deposit. To be placed on any or all hangar waiting lists, a person shall pay a deposit of fifty dollars and shall submit the hangar request form to the airport manager or the fixed base operator at the particular airport at which hangar storage space is requested. The deposit will be applied to first month's rent or will be refundable only prior to notification of hangar space availability.

(d) Airport Parking. No aircraft shall be parked, stored or tied down on the airport except in areas designated for such use.

(e) Securing of Unattended Aircraft. No aircraft shall be left unattended unless properly secured according to the recommendations of federal aviation administration advisory circular 20-35 or properly parked within a hangar. Owners and/or operators of all aircraft shall be held solely responsible for any damage or loss resulting from failure to comply with this rule.

(f) Moving Aircraft. At the direction of the airport manager or the fixed base operator, the owner and/or operator of any aircraft on the airport shall move the aircraft from the place where it is parked or stored to any place designated on the airport. If the owner and/or operator refuses to comply with the directions of the airport manager or the fixed base operator, the aircraft may be towed to such place at the owner's and/or operator's expense.

(g) Taxiing Aircraft. Aircraft shall not be taxied into or out of a hangar.

(h) Repair of Aircraft. Preventative maintenance and repair of aircraft by the aircraft owner and/or operator on the airport shall be permitted only to the extent provided for in the current federal aviation regulations and the Uniform Fire Code.

(i) County-owned T-hangars. County-owned T-hangars shall be utilized primarily for the storage and maintenance of aircraft and the storage of aviation-related material that is necessary for the proper maintenance and care of the aircraft, except those materials specifically prohibited by the Uniform Fire Code.

(a) Application. Applicable articles and divisions of the current Uniform Fire Code as adopted by the board of supervisors shall govern all operations on the county airports (and are hereby incorporated by reference into this chapter 4). Provisions of this section shall be interpreted to supplement and not conflict with the Uniform Fire Code. The applicable articles of the Uniform Fire Code shall be posted on the county bulletin board at the airport.

(b) Inspection. All airport buildings, equipment and storage areas shall be maintained in a clean, orderly and safe condition and shall be open to inspection by a fire prevention officer during normal business hours with twenty-four hours notice. All recommendations issued by the fire prevention officer shall be complied with by all licensees and lessees.

(c) Smoking. Smoking or lighting of open flames shall be prohibited in the following locations:

(1) Places with signs posted prohibiting smoking.

(2) On ramps or aprons where aircraft are parked.

(3) Within fifty feet of hangars, fuel trucks or loading stations.

(d) Open Fire. No person shall start an open fire on the airport, except in a designated picnic area, or except with written permission of the airport manager.

(e) Fire Hazard. No person shall stock any material or equipment in such a manner as to constitute a fire hazard.

(f) Flammable Liquid Storage. Except for oil in containers, not more than one gallon of class 1 flammable liquid and five gallons aggregate flammable liquid total, as defined in the Uniform Fire Code, shall be stored in any facility housing aircraft. A separate building for such storage may be required by the airport manager.

(g) Flammable Liquid Storage/Maintenance Hangar. Except for oil in sealed containers or in drums equipped with hand operating dispensing pumps, no flammable liquids or gases shall be stored in any maintenance hangar in quantities aggregating more than thirty-five gallons and said storage shall be in approved metal containers. Quantities in excess of thirty-five gallons shall be stored in a separate building or in a four hour fire resistant room especially constructed for such storage. The fixed base operator shall be responsible for insuring compliance with the above rules.

(h) Cleaning Parts. No person shall clean any aircraft engines, or parts in an aircraft hangar, nor within fifty feet of another aircraft, building or hangar with any flammable liquid having a flash point under one hundred degrees Fahrenheit (i.e., gasoline). Cleaning with any flammable fluid having a flash point over one hundred degrees Fahrenheit shall be done outside of the hangar in the open air or in a designated maintenance hangar.

(i) Rags and Waste. Oily waste rags and other similar flammable material shall be stored in approved, closed containers which shall be provided by the hangar licensees or lessees.

(j) Clean Floors and Drip Pans. Hangar floors, gasoline pits and gasoline trucks shall be kept clean and free from gasoline, grease and other flammable liquids, solids or gases. All hangar licensees and lessees will be required to provide metal drip pans which shall be placed under aircraft engines and motor vehicle engines.

(k) Motor Vehicle in Hangar. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in any hangar unless the exhaust is protected by screens or baffles to prevent the escape of sparks for the propagation of flame.

(l) Equipment Restriction. No person shall operate any aircraft engine or equipment producing unshielded sparks or equipment producing an open flame in any hangar, unless it is a designated maintenance hangar.

(m) Fire Extinguisher Requirements. Fire extinguishers shall be installed in all hangars and maintained in operating condition at all times by the fixed base operator for the county-owned hangars, and by the licensees or lessees in privately-owned hangars, in accordance with the requirements of a fire prevention officer.

(n) Painting and Doping. The process of doping of fabric or painting shall not be carried on in any building or hangar except those specifically approved by a fire prevention officer.

(o) Hangar Entrances. Hangar entrances shall be kept clear of obstructions to permit ready ingress or egress to or from the building in case of fire or other emergency.

(p) Fueling. All fueling operations shall be conducted in strict compliance with the federal aviation regulations and the Uniform Fire Code, especially grounding to prevent static ignition of volatile liquids.

(a) Operation. All vehicles of whatever type shall be operated on the airport in strict compliance with the applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code, and the laws of the state of California applicable to public streets and highways.

(b) Landing Area Restrictions. All vehicles permitted to operate within the landing areas, runway or main taxiway of the airport shall be painted a bright red or yellow, or display an orange and white checkered flag not less than three feet square. Such vehicles shall be limited to maintenance and inspection, or are to be service vehicles belonging to the county, state or federal government, the fixed base operator, a contractor of the county, or emergency vehicles.

(c) Apron Area Restrictions. Only vehicles belonging to aircraft owners and/or operators, or to hangar licensees or lessees, shall be permitted to operate on the ramp or apron areas of the airport. Vehicles parked in the ramp or apron area shall not block any access nor shall the vehicle be left unattended.

(d) Parking. No vehicle, including trailers, shall be parked on the airport, except in designated parking areas indicated by posted signs or in the manner and location prescribed by the airport manager.

(e) Right of Way. All vehicle operators shall be alert at all times on the airport and shall yield the right of way to aircraft at all times.

(f) Fire Gates. All fire gates and entrances shall be kept clear of vehicles at all times.

A schedule of rates and charges for use of the airport shall be established from time to time by resolution of the board of supervisors, who may seek the advice of the airport committee; said rates and charges to be in effect from and after the effective date of such resolution. Rental charges and fees for county-owned hangars and for tie-down parking which are administered by the fixed base operator shall be subject to prior written approval of the board of supervisors, who may seek the advice of the airport committee.

Airport leases, agreements and permits shall be approved as to form by the airport manager, airport committee and county counsel. They shall be uniform to the extent practicable.

(a) General Safety Aspects. Airport safety, within the meaning and intent of this chapter 4, encompasses safety of aircraft on the surface and in the air in the vicinity of the airport (airport traffic area as defined by the federal aviation regulations), including the safety of persons associated with all operations on or about the airport, whether participating or observing, and the preservation of all property in or about the airport regardless of ownership.

(b) Disabled Aircraft. Aircraft owners and their pilots and agents, shall be responsible for the prompt removal of a disabled aircraft and parts thereof unless required or directed to delay such action pending an investigation of an accident. If the airport manager, or fixed base operator at the airport manager's direction, must take action to remove the damaged aircraft, the owner and/or operator shall be charged for the removal service.

(c) Damage to Airport Property. Any person causing or liable for any damage to airport property shall be required to pay to the county, on demand, the full cost of repairs, or to reimburse the county, on demand, the full cost of repairs, or to reimburse the county the full amount of such damage. Report of such damage shall be made immediately to the airport manager.

(d) Reporting of Accident or Incidents. The airport manager shall be advised immediately of any accident or incident on or about the airport (airport traffic area).

(1) All accidents or incidents occurring on or about the airport shall be reported and processed in accordance with current procedures as detailed in separate standing operating procedures and under the strict supervision of the airport manager and shall include mishaps involving persons, aircraft and vehicles within the definitions of this chapter.

(2) Reporting to Santa Barbara County. The airport manager, after taking the normal procedures for the safety of life and property, shall ensure that all accidents or incidents are reported as soon as possible by telephonic means to the appropriate county official for action, followed by a written report to include notification and action taken.

(3) Reporting to the State of California. All accidents or incidents shall be reported immediately to the appropriate State of California department in accordance with the current existing procedures, under the direct supervision of the airport manager and the appropriate county official.

(4) Reporting to the Federal Government. All accidents or incidents shall be reported immediately to the appropriate federal department or agency, under the direct supervision of the airport manager, in accordance with the current national transportation safety board procedural regulations part 830 and current public notices as detailed in separate airport standing operating procedures.

(e) Safety Publications File. A safety publications file shall be maintained by the airport manager for edification and guidance of all concerned persons and shall include safety and accident prevention procedures, available safety equipment and specific responsibilities of all airport safety aspects. Safety violations shall be processed in accordance with the county enforcement procedures.

(a) Subordination. The rules and regulations of this chapter 4 are strictly supplementary and subordinate to federal aviation regulations applicable to the county airports and with any air laws established by the California Department of Aeronautics. In case of conflict, the federal aviation regulations shall prevail first, followed by the California state air laws, followed by this chapter 4. (b) Enforcing Officers. The airport manager is charged with the duty of enforcing the provisions of this chapter 4. In addition, the fixed base operators and other regular employees of the county may be charged with enforcement of this chapter 4 by written order of the board of supervisors who may seek the advice of the airport committee.

(c) Appeals. Any person who objects to a ruling of the airport manager may appeal the same to the airport committee, which may consider the matter. Upon hearing said complaint or objection, the airport committee may make a recommendation to the board of supervisors.

(d) Violations. Any person, firm or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee or otherwise, violating any provisions of this chapter 4 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for a term not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment. Such person, firm or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation of this chapter 4 is committed, continued or permitted by such person, firm or corporation and shall be punishable as herein provided.

(e) Deny Use of the Airport. In addition to any other penalty that may be imposed as a result of violation of this chapter 4, the right to deny or deprive any person the use of the airport or its facilities is reserved.

(f) Validity. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter 4 is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter 4. The board of supervisors hereby declares that it would have passed this chapter 4 and each section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be unconstitutional or invalid.

(g) The clerk of the board of supervisors and the director of public works shall maintain a reasonable supply of copies of chapter 4 available and to be distributed without charge to all persons using the county airport.

(Ord. No. 1512; Ord. No. 3215; Ord. No. 3310, § 1)