Santa Monica Municipal Code Ch. 10.04 Municipal Airport

Subchapter 10.04.02. General Provisions

This Chapter shall be called the Santa Monica Airport Code. It governs the use and operation of the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (“the Airport”). The Airport Code is intended to provide for reasonable, safe, and efficient use of the Airport as a public transportation facility and as a base for aviation and aviation-related operations and to protect the municipal environment from the effects of aircraft noise.

(Prior code § 10000; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The Airport Code is adopted pursuant to the City’s power as owner, operator, and proprietor of the Airport to regulate the use of the Airport, consistent with the power of the United States Government to control air traffic and aircraft safety. This Code also constitutes an exercise of the City’s police power over ground operations, motor vehicles, and other matters not preempted by State or Federal law.

(Prior code § 10001; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The Airport Director shall have the right, power, and authority to enforce this Code and other laws, regulations, and orders relating to the use of the Airport. These powers include the following specific powers and duties:

(a) General Authority. The Airport Director is invested with all rights, power and authority of the City to issue orders and enforce orders, laws and regulations pertaining to the use of the Airport.

(b) Delay of Aircraft Operations. The Airport Director may delay or restrict any aircraft operation subject to any limitations imposed by State or Federal law and in accordance with the following standards:

(1) Discretion may only be exercised where there is reason to believe that a person or aircraft will violate or has violated the proprietary rights of the City, that a violation of this Code is imminent, or that its exercise is necessary for the protection of the public health, safety, or welfare.

(2) The Airport Director may issue an order impounding any aircraft until charges for storage, supplies, or service rendered to it by the City shall have been paid.

(3) Nothing in this Section shall authorize the Airport Director to deny access to the Airport to employees of the Federal Government or to other persons in case of an emergency.

(c) Suspension of Flights. The Airport Director, by appropriate notice, may restrict or suspend all flights or flying when required by military need, emergency, or other special circumstances.

(d) Regulations. The Airport Director, with the approval of the City Attorney, may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this Chapter. The Airport Director shall publish such rules and regulations once in a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Santa Monica Within ten days of the date of publication of such rules and regulations, any interested person may file a request with the Airport Director that the Airport Commission review the rules and regulations so published. The rules and regulations shall be final at the expiration of the period for requesting review in the event no request for review is filed, or in the event of the filing of a request for review, when the rules and regulations have been approved by the Airport Commission.

(Prior code § 10002; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

Subchapter 10.04.04. Aircraft Noise Abatement Code

This subchapter of the Airport Code may be called the “Aircraft Noise Abatement Code” or “Noise Code.” It is generally intended to encourage all pilots using the Airport to fly their aircraft as quietly as possible consistent with aviation safety. It is also intended to set maximum limits on permissible aircraft noise and to regulate night and repetitive operations as well as helicopter operations. The Noise Code governs all take-offs from, landings at, and other operations from the Airport.

(Prior code § 10050; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The Noise Code is enacted under the power of the City, as proprietor of the Airport, to make reasonable regulations intended to protect persons exposed to aircraft noise from noise pollution, in accordance with the judgment in Santa Monica Airport Association v. City of Santa Monica, 479 F. Supp. 927 (C.D. Cal. 1979), aff’d 659 F. 2d 100 (9th Cir. 1981).

The Noise Code is also enacted in furtherance of the Agreement executed January 31, 1984, between the City and the Federal Aviation Administration (“the Airport Agreement”) and the Noise Mitigation Program of the City’s Airport Plan, both adopted by Resolution Number 6814(CCS).

(Prior code § 10051; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The Noise Code shall be interpreted and enforced to achieve abatement of aircraft noise to the extent technologically practicable and consonant with air safety and to promote cooperation, communication, and compliance with law. The following basic rules shall apply to the Noise Code:

(a) The Airport Director shall cooperate with pilots and other airport users and with the Federal Government in order to promote voluntary compliance with the provisions and purposes of the Noise Code and shall assist, counsel, and educate regarding ways to improve the noise performance of all aircraft using the Airport.

(b) No person shall operate an aircraft at the Airport in violation of any provision of the Noise Code or in violation of any applicable Federal or State law or regulation or order of the Airport Director. The term “at the Airport” includes operations while an aircraft is on the ground, as well as landing at, taking off from, or other operations at or from the Airport.

(c) All privileges, licenses, permits, and contractual rights permitting a person or aircraft to use or be based at the Airport are conditioned on adherence to the Noise Code and other applicable laws, and may be revoked for multiple violations after a hearing pursuant to the procedures of this Chapter. This remedy shall be supplementary to the rights of the City under contract.

(d) The Airport Director shall inform all persons using the Airport of applicable noise abatement regulations and recognized safe noise abatement operating procedures for each type of aircraft, shall counsel pilots on compliance with regulations, and shall record violations and take appropriate action in accordance with Section 10.04.04.040.

(Prior code § 10052; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The Airport Director shall issue orders imposing civil and administrative remedies for violations of the Noise Code. Such remedies shall include, but are not limited to, civil penalties and suspension or revocation of Airport privileges or permits. The following standards and procedures shall apply:

(a) All violations of the Noise Code shall be remediable by order of the Airport Director. Sanctions for willful or repeat violations may be imposed upon all parties responsible for aircraft including each pilot, aircraft owner and operator. For purposes of this subchapter, the term “owner” includes the registered owner of an aircraft and any person or entity possessing any ownership interest in an aircraft. The term “operator” includes any person or entity operating, managing or controlling an aircraft.

(b) Sanctions shall be progressive. The initial civil penalty for a repeat or willful violation shall be two thousand dollars. The penalty for a violation following the initial civil penalty shall be five thousand dollars, and the penalty for a violation following the second civil penalty shall be ten thousand dollars. After imposition of the maximum fine of, subsequent violations shall, after a hearing, result in a suspension of Airport privileges for six months and, following that, revocation of privileges or permits. The Airport Director shall notify the Federal Aviation Administration prior to ordering the suspension or revocation of Airport privileges or permits under this subsection. If particular circumstances show that progressive monetary sanctions will be ineffective to achieve compliance, suspension or revocation may be ordered after a hearing prior to imposing the maximum monetary penalty.

(c) The Airport Director may also require the abatement of violations and compliance with conditions related to abatement of further violations.

(d) The Airport Director shall consider all relevant factors in each case, including the willfulness, severity and frequency of violations, and the existence and use of safe noise abatement operating procedures appropriate to the aircraft. With respect to repeated operations of an aircraft in violation of the noise limit of Section 10.04.04.060, the Airport Director, may, after investigation to assure that a violation was not caused by extraneous factors such as loss of power, the need to avoid other aircraft, or unusual weather conditions, impose sanctions under this Section.

(e) Any person aggrieved by an order of the Airport Director, imposing monetary penalties, may appeal such an order to a Hearing Examiner pursuant to the time limits and procedures set forth in Chapter 1.09 of this Code. Except as otherwise set forth in subsection (g), any person aggrieved by an order of the Airport Director, suspending or revoking Airport privileges or permits, may appeal to a Hearing Examiner pursuant to the time limits and procedures of Chapter 6.16 of this Code. The decision of the Hearing Examiner shall be final except for judicial review and shall not be appealable to the City Council.

(f) A willful violation of an order of the Airport Director shall be a misdemeanor punishable under Section 1.08.010 of this Code.

(g) A person who fails to pay a civil penalty within thirty days after the issuance of an order to do so shall pay a separate charge of ten percent of the unpaid amount of the civil penalty. The Airport Director may also exclude such person from the Airport until such time as the penalty and any late payment charge are paid. Such an order shall be final and shall not be appealable to the Hearing Examiner.

(h) The remedies as set forth in this Section are supplementary to any legal or equitable remedies available to the City in its governmental and proprietary capacities, including, but not limited to, the right to abate nuisances and hazards.

(Prior code § 10053; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85; amended by Ord. No. 2025CCS § 1, adopted 11/13/01; Ord. No. 2550CCS § 4, adopted 8/8/17)

If a particular aircraft is operated in excess of noise limits, that aircraft may be excluded from the Airport by order of the Airport Director in accordance with the following standards:

(a) The Airport Director shall maintain a list of aircraft types that are estimated to be unable to meet the maximum noise limit of Section 10.04.04.060 under any conditions and operating procedures. This list shall be based on actual measurement of aircraft operations. If there are insufficient measured flights of a particular type, the Airport Director shall act upon the best available information, including Federal Aviation Administration estimates. These “Listed Aircraft” may, after one violation of the maximum noise limit, be excluded from the Airport.

(b) An aircraft other than a Listed Aircraft may be excluded from the Airport after repeated violations of noise limits if the Airport Director determines that the “Permitted Aircraft” is likely to violate noise limits even if flown according to recommended safe operating procedures under normal weather conditions.

(Prior code § 10054; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85; amended by Ord. No. 2025CCS § 2, adopted 11/13/02)

After landing, each pilot or his or her representative must comply with all registration requirements prescribed by the Airport Director by regulation including completing a registration form and acknowledging receipt of a summary of Airport regulations.

(Added by Ord. No. 2025CCS § 3, adopted 11/13/02)

No aircraft shall exceed a Single Event Noise Exposure Level (SENEL) or ninety-five decibels as measured at the Airport Noise Measuring Stations existing on January 1, 1985. If additional stations are established, the maximum SENEL shall be set for each measuring point at an equivalent level.

(Prior code § 10055; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

(a) By regulation adopted in accordance with Section 10.04.02.030(d), the Airport Director shall provide for a Performance Based Noise Limit by aircraft type. No aircraft shall exceed the SENEL limit established by the Airport Director as the lowest SENEL limit that can be met by the type of aircraft concerned consistent with safe operating procedures.

(b) The Performance Based Noise Limit shall be for a two-year experimental period commencing on the date of its adoption and shall be developed in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration in accordance with the Airport Agreement.

(c) Performance Based Noise Limits shall be based on actual measurement of aircraft operations. If there are insufficient measured flights of a particular type, the Airport Director shall set a limit based on the best available information.

(d) Pending completion of this experimental program, no pilot who violates the Performance Based Noise Limit but does not violate the maximum noise limit of ninety-five dB may be fined or excluded from the Airport.

(Prior code § 10056; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The Airport shall be open for public use at all reasonable hours of the day and night, subject to the following restrictions:

(a) The Airport Director may close the Airport because of conditions of the landing area, necessary maintenance, the presentation of special events, and similar causes.

(b) No aircraft shall be started, run-up, or depart the Airport between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Mondays through Fridays nor between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, except in case of bona fide medical or public safety emergency, with the consent of the Airport Director or, in his or her absence, the Watch Commander of the Police Department.

(Prior code § 10057; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The following regulations apply to operations at the Airport:

(a) Touch and Go and Stop and Go operations are prohibited on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and during weekdays between one-half hour after sunset and 7:00 a.m. of the following morning. This restriction shall not apply in emergencies, where necessitated by safety considerations, or when required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

(b) Touch and Go operations shall be permitted only after the pilot of the aircraft has received permission from the air traffic controller in the control tower and in no event shall be made unless the aircraft has initiated takeoff prior to reaching the touch and go limit lines painted on the runway.

(c) Simulated forced landings shall not be permitted until the aircraft reaches pattern altitude and in no event shall be made opposite to the direction of take-off.

(d) For purposes of this Section, holiday shall mean New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, provided, however, that if any such holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, and as a result such holiday is observed on the preceding Friday or succeeding Monday, then such Friday or Monday, as the case may be, shall be considered to be a holiday under this Section.

(Prior code § 10058; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The following provisions apply to the use of helicopters at the airport:

(a) Until the completion of the study of helicopter noise authorized by the Airport Agreement, no person shall be granted a permit or lease to use the Airport as a base for any operation involving the substantial use of helicopters.

(b) Helicopter flight training operations at the Airport are prohibited at all times.

(Prior code § 10059; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

Subchapter 10.04.06. Airport Field Regulations

The Subchapter of the Airport Code may be called the “Airport Field Regulations” or “Field Regulations.” These regulations are generally intended to maintain the safety and economic viability of the Airport through enforcement of uniform standards and permit procedures. The Field Regulations govern all activity of persons, motor vehicles, and aircraft on the ground of the Airport. They shall not derogate any obligations imposed by present or future contracts between the City and Fixed-Base Operators or other users of the Airport.

(Prior code § 10100; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

No person shall use the Airport as a base for any commercial activity without an operations permit issued by the City Manager. The term “commercial activity” includes the carrying for hire of passengers, freight, express or mail, the sale of fuel and related products or services, the sale or lease of new or used aircraft, the sale of aircraft parts and supplies, flight or ground schools requiring a fixed base, aircraft repair and maintenance, the sale of food and refreshments, or any other activity for which a business license from the City is required.

(Prior code § 10101; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The following standards and procedures apply to operations permits:

(a) Applications shall be presented to the Airport Director on an approved form and considered by the Airport Commission before issuance of a permit by the City Manager. Applications shall, at a minimum, identify the applicants and its principals, document the applicant’s financial responsibility, and specify types of service to be provided and types and number of aircraft proposed to be used.

(b) The Airport Director shall, by regulation, provide for an expedited permit procedure for commercial operations not requiring a fixed base at the Airport. The Airport Director may grant expedited permits upon registration of the applicant and proof of compliance with the following:

(1) The applicant shall demonstrate that he or she has valid and current certification from the Federal Aviation Administration as required for the performance of the applicant’s services.

(2) The applicant shall agree to be bound by the provisions of Section 10.04.06.070 providing for indemnity of the City.

(3) The applicant shall register any motor vehicles used in the course of his or her business with the Airport Director, furnish proof of public liability insurance for such vehicles, and comply with any conditions the Airport Director deems necessary to promote safety and maintain adequate access to the Airport.

(4) The applicant shall pay such processing fees and furnish proof of such insurance as may be required by Resolution of the City Council.

(5) The Airport Director may, based on the scope and nature of the services proposed to be provided, require that the applicant obtain an operations permit from the City Manager pursuant to the regular procedures and standards of Section 10.04.06.030.

(c) An operations permit shall identify the location of the base and the specific uses permitted. The permit may be amended to permit additional locations or uses. Applications for amendments need only contain information relative to the additional locations or uses sought and identification of any changed conditions since the issuance of the original operations permit.

(d) Applications for air carrier service shall identify and assess the effects of the service on community aircraft noise exposure, automobile traffic, and other significant environmental impacts and propose appropriate mitigation measures. Environmental assessment shall be in accordance with State and City laws and procedures. As used in this Section, “air carrier” service includes commuter service, air charter and air taxi operations, freight, cargo, express, and mail service, and other commercial flight operations certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

(e) The requirement of an operations permit is supplementary to necessary development reviews, business licenses and other fees and approvals as may be required by applicable law. The leasing by the City of a parcel of land for fixed-base aviation operations does not relieve the lessee, or any other person occupying the parcel, from the requirement of obtaining or amending operations permits unless the lease so specifies.

(f) The City Manager may deny, grant unconditionally, or grant an operations permit subject to conditions reasonably related to the promotion of the safety or economic viability of the Airport, compliance with the Airport Agreement or Airport Plan, or the abatement of community exposure to aircraft noise or other environmental concerns. A decision of the City Manager shall be final, subject to judicial review. The Airport Director may establish by regulation standard conditions to be part of all operations permits unless specifically deleted.

(g) Except as provided in Subsection (h), an operations permit shall be deemed granted subject only to standard conditions if it is not disapproved or conditionally approved by the City Manager within 60 days of the filing of a completed application unless extended by the City Manager in writing for an additional period not to exceed 60 days.

(h) No operations permit shall be granted unless and until the applicant or authorized representative has obtained all other governmental approvals applicable to the project, except that a building permit may not be granted without an operations permit.

(i) The Airport Director may issue an order directing a holder of an operations permit to comply with applicable laws or conditions of permits. The City Manager may suspend or revoke an operations permit for wilful violation of such an order. Any suspension or revocation may be appealed to the City’s Hearing Examiner pursuant to the time limits and procedures of prior code Section 6126 of the Municipal Code. The effect of such suspension or revocation shall be stayed pending timely appeal to the Hearing Examiner.

(j) The City Council by Resolution may establish and from time to time amend fees for the processing of applications for operations permits and fixed-base operator leases, which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of such processing.

(Prior code § 10102; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

Operations permits shall not be required if the provisions of any of the following Subsections are met:

(a) Flying clubs shall be exempted from obtaining an operations permit upon the issuance of a permit from the Airport Director. Flying clubs are defined as non-profit membership organizations formed to allow for the multiple ownership of aircraft. Issuance of the permit shall be based solely on examination of the club by-laws and verifications of non-profit status. The permit may be revoked by the Airport Director if the club engages in commercial activities as described in Section 10.04.06.020.

(b) A person may sell his or her personal aircraft without obtaining an operations permit, provided that no person may engage in two such sales within any 12 month period without an operations permit. A person may lease his or her personal aircraft to holders of commercial operations permits without obtaining an operations permit.

(Prior code § 10103; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

No person shall hold himself or herself out as a flight instructor or give flight instruction except in compliance with the following requirements:

(a) The instructor shall register with the Airport Director, demonstrate that he or she has a valid and current flight instructor’s certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, and, except for employees of holders of commercial operations permits, obtain an operations permit under Section 10.04.06.030(b).

(b) All persons instructing or checking out pilots in flying at the Airport shall fully inform the pilots of the Noise Code and other regulations in effect at the Airport and shall be responsible for the conduct of such student pilots under their instruction.

(Prior code § 10104; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

No person shall hold himself or herself out as an aircraft mechanic or maintain or repair the aircraft of another person for consideration except in compliance with the following requirements:

(a) The mechanic shall register with the Airport Director, demonstrate that he or she has a valid and current certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, and except for employees or holders of commercial operations permits, obtain an operations permit under Section 10.04.06.030(b).

(b) Repairs of aircraft in designated tiedown or storage areas shall be limited to maintenance and repairs that do not impede the flow of ground traffic in the area or interfere with access to aircraft or aircraft movement.

(c) Aircraft parts, tools, or supplies shall not be permitted to accumulate in designated aircraft, parking or storage areas. Persons conducting maintenance or repair activities shall be responsible for the prompt clean-up of such areas and removal of any accumulated material.

(Prior code § 10105; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The privileges of using the Airport and its facilities are conditioned on the assumption of full responsibility and risk by the user thereof, and the user shall release, hold harmless, and indemnify the City, members of the City Council and Boards and Commissions, and officers and employees of the City from any liability or loss resulting from such use.

Nothing in this Chapter shall be deemed to impose any liability upon the City of Santa Monica or its officers or employees, or to create any private rights of action in any person, or to relieve any person using the airport from any duty or standard of care imposed by law.

(Prior code § 10106; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

All aircraft owners and operators shall be covered at their expense by public liability insurance in such amounts and terms as established by Resolution of the City Council. Such insurance shall name the City, members of the City Council and Boards and Commissions, and officers and employees of the City as additional named insureds.

(Prior code § 10107; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The owner or operator of aircraft using the Airport shall pay the prescribed rental rate. The tie-down or parking rate shall be based on the length of the wing-span in feet, the weight of the aircraft, the number of engines, or similar measure, and shall be charged by the month, day, or half-hour. The rental rate for hangar parking shall be a single monthly sum. All such rates shall be established by Resolution of the City Council.

(Prior code § 10108; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

Owners or operators of aircraft operating at the Airport shall pay a landing fee. Landing fee amounts may be set and from time to time amended by Resolution of the City Council.

(Prior code § 10109; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85; amended by Ord. No. 2079CCS § 1, adopted 6-10-03)

All structures at the Airport shall comply with applicable provisions of Chapter 8.04 of Article 8 of the Municipal Code relating to Technical and Construction Codes.

(Prior code § 10110; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

In addition to any other requirement imposed by law, all persons at the Airport shall comply with the following specific fire regulations applicable to all persons using the Airport:

(a) Every person using the Airport or its facilities in any way shall use the utmost caution to prevent fire and shall not cause to exist any condition constituting a fire hazard.

(b) No aircraft shall be fueled or drained while its engine is running or while in a hangar or other enclosed place. Fueling shall be done in such manner and with such equipment that adequate connections for the grounding of static electricity shall be maintained continuously during fueling operations. No smoking shall be permitted within 50 feet of the point where fuel is removed from or discharged into any aircraft.

(c) No cylinder or flask of compressed flammable gas shall be kept or stored except at such a place as may be designated by the Fire Department.

(d) The cleaning of engines or other parts of aircraft shall not be carried on in any hangar except with nonflammable substances. If flammable liquids shall be employed for this purpose, the operation shall be carried on in the open air and a safe distance from other aircraft.

(e) During business hours, hangar entrances shall be kept clear at all times to permit ready access to the building to combat fires.

(f) Floors of buildings shall be kept clean and free of oil, and no volatile or flammable solvent shall be used for cleaning floors.

(g) No boxes, crates, rubbish, paper, empty cans or bottles, or other litter shall be permitted to accumulate in or about any hangar.

(Prior code § 10111; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The following regulations shall govern the operation of aircraft while on the ground at the Airport:

(a) No aircraft engine shall be started on any aircraft not equipped with adequate brakes fully set, unless the wheels have been chocked with blocks. No aircraft shall be started or runup unless a competent operator is at the controls of the aircraft at all times. No aircraft shall be left unattended on the Airport unless it is in a hangar completely enclosed with the door locked securely or such aircraft is locked in such a manner that it cannot be entered or started without the use of a proper key. All unhangared aircraft shall be parked in the spaces designated for that purpose and locked as above.

(b) The pre-flight run-up of engines shall be conducted only at points designated by the Airport Director. No aircraft shall be operated above idle power or run-up unless it is in such position that the propeller or turbine blast will clear all buildings, all aircraft maneuvering areas, and all people in the observation areas.

(c) No person shall take any aircraft on, to or from the Airport, or operate any such aircraft, while under the influence of, or while using, any intoxicating liquor or drug.

(d) Wrecked or damaged aircraft shall promptly be removed from runways or taxiways by the aircraft owner or operator subject to the direction of the Airport Director and appropriate officials of the United States of America.

(Prior code § 10112; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

Aircraft fueling operations shall be conducted consistent with safety standards contained in State, Federal, and local fire law. The following additional provisions shall apply to the fueling of aircraft at the Airport:

(a) The right of a pilot to fuel his or her own aircraft pursuant to Federal law shall be respected.

(b) The City Council may by Resolution, establish a fuel flowage fee to be paid to the City by all persons or companies supplying gasoline or oils to be used, dispensed, or sold at the Airport by persons other than the City.

(Prior code § 10113; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

Pending verification by the Federal Aviation Administration and the City that ultralight aircraft can operate at the Airport without compromising aviation safety, no person shall operate an ultralight aircraft, as defined by Federal Aviation Regulations Part 103, at or from the Airport.

(Prior code § 10114; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle at the Airport except in accordance with this Section. As used in this Section, the term “motor vehicle” includes any vehicle other than an aircraft, including bicycles.

(b) Motor vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas.

(c) No person shall operate a motor vehicle on, upon, or across any portion of the Airport except along or upon roadways designated for travel by motor vehicles or those portions of the Airport set aside by the Airport Director for automobile parking purposes.

(d) No person shall operate, drive, or propel any motor vehicle at a speed of greater than twenty-five miles per hour at the Airport.

(e) The Airport Director may place on the Airport such stop signs and parking regulation signs as he or she may deem necessary. No person shall park any vehicle contrary to the directions on any parking sign or enter any intersection posted with a stop sign without first bringing his or her vehicle to a full stop within six feet of such intersection.

(f) No person shall operate, drive, or propel any motor vehicle on any landing area of the Airport.

(g) Police or fire vehicles driven on the Airport in response to emergencies shall not be subject to Subsections (e) and (f). Vehicles driven on the Airport for the purpose of making repairs and improvements to the Airport or for wreckage removal and governmental vehicles driven on the Airport on official business shall not be subject to subsections (d) and (e), providing that the operators obtain a permit to enter the landing area from the Airport Director, conspicuously display an approved orange and white safety flag on the vehicles, and enter and leave the Airport at established gateways.

(h) All vehicles hauling trash shall be covered. No vehicle used for hauling trash, dirt, or any other materials shall be operated on the Airport unless such vehicle is constructed so as to prevent its contents from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping. Any person who spills any dirt or any other materials from vehicles operated at the Airport shall immediately clean up the spilled material.

(i) Violation of the provisions of this Section shall be punishable by fine pursuant to Section 3.16.290 of the Municipal Code. The procedures of Sections 3.12.1070 and 3.17.1080 of the Municipal Code shall be applicable to violations of the motor vehicle operating and parking regulations of this Chapter.

(j) The Airport Director shall have authority to tow or otherwise move motor vehicles which are parked in violation of this Chapter in accordance with applicable law.

(Prior code § 10115; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

No pedestrians shall be upon any taxiway or landing area of the Airport without first obtaining a signed permit from the Airport Director, excepting mechanics who are by necessity required to be on a taxiway or landing area to remove damaged aircraft.

(Prior code § 10116; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

No experimental certification test flights or ground demonstrations shall be conducted on or at the Airport without the written permission of the Airport Director.

(Prior code § 10117; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

Any person damaging any light or fixture by means of contact with any aircraft or surface vehicle shall report such damage to the Airport Director immediately and shall be fully responsible for any costs required to repair or replace the damaged facility.

(Prior code § 10118; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

The violation of any provision of this subchapter shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

(Prior code § 10120; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)

(a) Statement of Purpose and Authority. This Section is enacted pursuant to the authority of the City of Santa Monica as the owner, operator and proprietor of the Airport to make reasonable regulations intended to protect the safety of persons living adjacent to the Airport and flying in aircraft using the Airport. This Section comports with agreements between the City and the Federal Aviation Administration recognizing the City’s obligation to serve category A and B aircraft at the Airport and its right to prohibit or limit any other given type, kind or class of aeronautical use of the Airport if such action is necessary for the Airport’s safe and efficient operation.

(b) Prohibition. No person operating a category C or D aircraft, as defined by the FAA’s standards, shall land at or depart from the Santa Monica Municipal Airport.

(c) Emergency Exception. The prohibition contained in this section does not apply to the operator of fixed wing aircraft who believes in good faith, based on special circumstances, that a bona fide emergency exists such that it is absolutely necessary that the aircraft depart or land at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport in order to preserve life or property.

(d) Penalties and Remedies. Any person who is convicted of violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall he punished by a fine not greater than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Additionally, any person, including the City, may enforce this Section by means of a civil action for legal or equitable relief; and, nothing in this Section shall preclude any person from seeking any other remedies afforded by law.

(Added by Ord. No. 2251CCS § 1, adopted 3/25/08)

Subchapter 10.04.08. Glossary of Technical Terms

The following words or phrases as used in this Chapter shall have the following meanings:

(a)

A-weighted sound pressure level.

The sound pressure level which has been filtered or weighted to quantitatively reduce the effect of low frequency noise. It was designed to approximate the response of the human ear to sound. A-weighted sound pressure level is measured in decibels with a standard sound level meter which contains the “A” weighting network. A-weighted decibels are abbreviated dBA. Relevant standards are defined by the American National Standards Institute Specification for Sound Level Meters (S1.4-1971).

(b)

Community Noise Equivalent Level.

The CNEL is the annual average (on an energy basis) noise level measured in A-weighted sound pressure level for a twenty-four hour period with different weighting factors for the noise levels occurring during the day, evening, and nighttime periods. CNEL is defined by California Division of Aeronautics, “Noise Standards for California Airports,” California Administrative Code Chapter 9, Title 4 (Register 70, No. 48, November 28, 1970).

(c)

Single Event Noise Exposure Level.

SENEL is the time-integrated A-weighted sound pressure level of a single aircraft flyover (which exceeds a threshold noise level) which is expressed by the level of an equivalent one-second duration reference signal. The threshold level at the Airport shall be at least sixty-five dBA. SENEL provides a measure which quantifies the effect of duration and magnitude for a single event measured above a specified threshold. SENEL is defined by California Division of Aeronautics, “Noise Standards for California Airports,” California Administrative Code Chapter 9, Title 4 (Register 70, No. 48, November 28, 1970).

(d)

Sound pressure level.

The sound pressure level of a sound is twenty times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the measured root mean square (RMS) value of the sound pressure to a reference sound pressure. Measurement units are decibels (dB). The reference pressure is twenty micro pascals.

(e)

Traffic pattern.

An approximately rectangular flight track designed to provide for an organized flow of local traffic around the Airport in which the runway centerline forms one part of one of the longer legs of the rectangle. The traffic pattern shall be established by the Federal Aviation Administration in cooperation with the City.

(Prior code § 10150; added by Ord. No. 1326CCS, adopted 1/22/85)