Shafter Zoning Code § 3.30 Airport Approach Height Combining (h) District
Shafter Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-09-09 · Shafter
Cite as: Shafter Zoning Code § 3.30 · Text as of 2026-09-09
Purpose and Intent
- a. The Airport Safety Regulations are established to provide greater safety to both aviators and the general public by establishing requirements for land use compatibility reviews within designated areas depicted in Table 3.B (Shafter Airport-Minter Field Compatibility Measures) of this Chapter.
Permitted Uses
Permitted uses in an H district are those uses permitted by the base district with which the H district is combined.
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- Uses Permitted with a Conditional Use Permit
Uses permitted with a conditional use permit in an H district are those conditional uses permitted by the base district with which the H district is combined.
- Prohibited Uses
Prohibited uses in an H district are those uses prohibited by the base district with which the H district is combined.
- Minimum Lot Size
Minimum lot size requirements in an H district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district with which the H district is combined.
- Minimum Lot Area per Dwelling Unit
Requirements for minimum lot area per dwelling unit in an H district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district with which the H district is combined.
- Yards and Setbacks
Yard and setback requirements in an H district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district with which the H district is combined.
- Height Limits
The height of structures, trees and/or other objects in the H district shall not be less restrictive than the requirement of Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation, or of any corresponding rules or regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration, as amended. When there is conflict between the regulations of the FAA and the requirements of the base district with which the H district is combined, the regulations of the FAA shall prevail. When there is no such conflict, the permitted height shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district with which the H district is combined.
- Minimum Distance Between Structures
The minimum distance between structures in an H district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district with which the H district is combined.
- Parking
Parking requirements in an H district shall be in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 13 of this Title.
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- Signs
Sign requirements in an H district shall be in compliance with the requirements of Chapter 14 of this Title.
- Landscaping
Landscaping requirements in an H district shall be in compliance with the requirements of the base district with which the H district is combined.
- Location Requirements
a. The Airport Safety Regulations apply to the Shafter Airport and any future airports that may be established in the City.
b. The area subject to these Regulations shall be determined as follows:
(1) An Airport Influence Area, as determined by the Kern County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (Refer to Table 3.B, “Shafter Airport Compatibility Criteria” and Table 3.B. Map “Shafter Airport – Minter Field Compatibility Measures.” of this Chapter).
- (2) In all other cases, the applicable area may include all that area as defined in the Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 77. (FAR Part 77), which depicts imaginary surfaces for “objects affecting navigable airspace”, as applicable to the specific FM approved Airport Layout and Approach Plan, as well as the State of California’s “Airport Land Use Planning Handbook”, in the event FAR requirements or the State’s Handbook change, the most current provisions shall apply.
- Findings
The Planning Director shall determine that all of the following are true prior to approving any land use application or issuing any development permit within the Airport Safety Review Areas. If the findings cannot be made, a conditional use permit shall be required. Such conditional use permit shall find that the proposed use will not adversely affect the safety of persons residing, working or traveling within the review areas or affect the viability of the airport, prior to approval of the project.
a. The proposed use is consistent with the General Plan, this Title, and the Shafter Airport-Minter Field Master Plan.
b. The proposed use is consistent with the Kern County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
c. The proposed use does not involve the storage or dispensing of volatile or otherwise hazardous substances that would endanger aircraft operations and public safety.
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d. The proposed use does not attract a large concentration of birds, produce smoke, generate electrical interference, reflect glare or light, or emit radio transmissions that may endanger aircraft operations.
e. The proposed use promotes the public interest to provide for the development of the public-use airport and the area around the airport in such a manner, among other things, to comply with the noise standards adopted pursuant to the General Plan and the provisions of Section 10.180 of this Title and to prevent the creation of new noise and safety hazards.
f. The proposed use enhances the protection of public health, safety and welfare, by ensuring the orderly expansion of the airport and the adoption of land use measures or development standards that minimize the public’s exposure to excessive noise and safety hazards within the area around the airport to the extent that such areas are not already devoted to incompatible uses.
g. The proposed use will not adversely affect safe air navigation, airport operations or interfere with airport communications.
h. The proposed use complies with the development standards specified by this Chapter.
- Development Standards
When a land use is proposed within an area governed by this Chapter, the following standards and criteria shall apply:
a. Proposed structures and the normal mature height of any vegetation shall not exceed the height limitations provided by the requirements of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Part 77 or with the requirements of this Chapter. Existing topographic elevations, as compared to the elevation of the centerline of the runway (primary surface), shall be considered in determining the permitted height of an affected structure.
b. Proposed uses shall be consistent with the General Plan, this Title, the Shafter Airport-Minter Field Master Plan, and the Kern County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
c. The proposed use or the structure shall not reflect glare, emit electronic interference or produce smoke that would endanger aircraft operations.
d. All heliports shall be constructed pursuant to FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390-1B.
e. The provisions of the California Airport Land Use Planning Handbook shall be met.
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Table 3.B Shafter Airport Compatibility Criteria
| Zone | Location1 | Impact Elements | Maximum Densities | Maximum Densities | Required Open Land4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential2 (du/ |
Other Uses (people/ |
||||
| A | Runway Protection Zone or within Building Restriction Line |
•High risk •High noise levels |
0 | 10 | All Remaining |
| B1 | Approach /Departure Zone and Adjacent to Runway |
•Substantial risk - aircraft commonly below 400 ft. AGL or within 1,000 ft. of runway •Substantial noise |
0.1 | 60 | 30% |
| B2 | Extended Approach/ Zone |
•Significant risk - aircraft commonly below 800 ft. AGL •Significant noise |
0.5 | 60 | 30% |
| C | Common Traffic Pattern | •limited risk - aircraft at or below 1,000 ft. AGL •Frequent noise intrusion |
15 | 150 | 15% |
| D | Other Airport Environs | •Negligible risk •Potential for annoyance from overflights |
No Limit | No Limit | No Requirements |
| Zones | Additional Criteria | Additional Criteria | Examples | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited Uses5 | Other Development Conditions8 |
Normally Acceptable Uses9 |
Uses not Normally Acceptable10 |
|
| A | •All structures except ones with location set by aeronautical function •Assemblages of people •Objects exceeding FAR Part 77 height limits •Hazards to flight6 |
•Dedication of avigation easement |
•Aircraft tiedown apron •Pastures, field crops, vineyards •Automobile parking |
•Heavy poles, signs, large trees, etc. |
| B1 and B2 |
•Schools, day care centers, libraries •Hospitals, nursing homes •Highly noise-sensitive uses •Storage of highly flammable materials7 •Hazards to flight6 |
•Locate structures maximum distance from extended runway centerline •Dedication of avigation easement |
•Uses in Zone A •Any agricultural use except ones attracting bird flocks •Warehousing, truck terminals •Two-story offices •Single-family homes on an existing lot |
•Residential subdivisions •Intensive retail uses •Intensive manufacturing or food processing uses •Multiple story offices •Hotels and motels |
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| Zones | Additional Criteria | Additional Criteria | Examples | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited Uses5 | Other Development Conditions8 |
Normally Acceptable Uses9 |
Uses not Normally Acceptable10 |
|
| C | •Schools •Hospitals, nursing homes •Hazards to flight6 |
•Dedication of overflight easement for residential uses |
•Uses in Zone B •Parks, playgrounds •Low-intensity retail, offices, etc. •Low-intensity manufacturing, food processing •Two-story motels •Medium density apartments |
•Large shopping malls •Theaters, auditoriums •Large sports stadiums •Hi-rise office buildings |
| D | •Hazards to flight6 | •Deed notice required for residential development |
•All except ones hazardous to flight |
NOTES
Zones may also apply elsewhere if an airport has atypical operational procedures or specialized aircraft activities.
Residential parcels should not contain more than the indicated number of dwelling units per gross acre. Clustering of units is encouraged as a means of meeting the open land requirements applicable to the Kern Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
The land use should not attract more than the indicated number of people per acre at any lime. This figure should include all individuals who may be on the property (e.g., employees, customers, visitors, etc.). These densities are intended as general planning guidelines to aid in determining the acceptability of proposed land uses. Special short-term events related to aviation (e.g., air shows), as well as non-aviation special events, are exempt from the maximum density criteria.
Open land requirements are intended to be applied with respect to the entire zone. This is accomplished through implementation of the City’s General Plan, this Title, and any specific plans which may be applicable.
May be modified by airport-specific policies adopted by the Minter Field Airport District Board and/or the City Council.
See policy Section 3.3 of the Kern Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
Within the B1 and B2 zones, only the following flammable materials are permitted: aviation fuel, other aviation related materials, and up to 2,000 gallons of non-aviation materials.
These conditions do not apply to ministerial actions.
These uses typically can be designed to meet the density requirements and other development conditions listed.
These uses typically do not meet the density and other development conditions listed. They should be allowed only if a major community objective is served by their location in this zone and no feasible alternative location exists.
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Table 3.B Map Shafter Airport - Minter Field Compatibility Measures
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