Chapter 18.64 — TRUCKEE-TAHOE AIRPORT AREA RESTRICTIONS
Truckee Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Truckee
Sections in this part
Sections:
18.64.010 - Purpose of Chapter 18.64.020 - Applicability 18.64.040 - Airport Height Zones and Height Limits 18.64.050 - Airport Compatibility Zones 18.64.060 - Airport Noise Zones 18.64.080 - Nonconforming Uses and Structures
18.64.010 - Purpose of Chapter ¶
Obstructions in the vicinity of the Truckee-Tahoe Airport have the potential for endangering the lives and property of users of the Truckee-Tahoe Airport, and property or occupants of land in the vicinity; may affect existing and future instrument approach minimums of such airports; and may reduce the size of areas available for the landing, takeoff and maneuvering of aircraft, thus tending to destroy or impair the utility of such airports and the public investment therein. The purpose of the airport area restrictions is to regulate land uses in the vicinity of the Truckee-Tahoe Airport and below areas where aircraft perform approach and departure maneuvers, to protect people and property both in the air and on the ground, and to minimize noise and other conflicts between airport operations and surrounding land uses.
18.64.020 - Applicability ¶
The regulations of this Chapter shall apply to all areas located within the Airport Operations (-AO) overlay zoning district. Land uses, structures and natural hazards shall comply with the development, policies, standards and requirements of the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, adopted December 2, 2004 as amended, this Chapter and other applicable regulations of this Development Code.
18.64.040 – Airport Height Zones and Height Limits ¶
A. Establishment of height zones. In order to carry out the provisions of this Chapter, there are hereby created and established certain height zones that include all of the land lying beneath the approach surfaces, transitional surfaces, horizontal surfaces and conical surfaces. An area located in more than one of the following height zones is considered to be only in the height zone with the more restrictive height limitation. The various height zones are hereby established and defined as those set forth in Federal Aviation Regulations, Volume XI, Part 77 of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Figure 2 C and Appendix B of the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
B. Effect of height limits. Except as otherwise provided by Section 18.64.040.C no object or structure shall be erected, altered or maintained, and no tree shall be allowed to grow in any airport height zone created by this Chapter to a height in excess of the applicable height established by FAR Part 77 and the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan
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C. Exceptions to height limit. The height limits of this section may be exceeded as follows:
The construction or maintenance of any structure, object or growth of any tree may extend up to a height up to 35 feet above the surface of the land or up to the natural height of trees within the immediate area of the object or structure, whichever is greater. This exception also applies to areas defined as a Natural Hazard.
A structure or object may be erected, altered or maintained to exceed the height limits of this section if:
a. The Federal Aviation Administration has determined that the proposed structure or object does not constitute a hazard to air navigation and documentation of such determination has been provided to the Town Planner; or
b. The California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics has issued a permit allowing construction of the proposed structure or object in accordance with Section 21659 of the California Public Utilities Code.
III-18.64.050 – Airport Compatibility Zones
- A. Establishment of airport compatibility zones. In order to carry out the provisions of this section, there are hereby created and established certain airport compatibility zones that include all of the land lying beneath the clear zones, approach/departure zones and overflight zone. The various airport compatibility zones are hereby established and defined as set forth in the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
ibility zones.** In order to carry out the provisions of this section, there are hereby created and established certain airport compatibility zones that include all of the land lying beneath the clear zones, approach/departure zones and overflight zone. The various airport compatibility zones are hereby established and defined as set forth in the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
- B. Limitations on land uses. No use of land or structures in an airport compatibility zone shall be established, reconstructed, altered, allowed or replaced unless the use of land or structures complies with the policies, restrictions and standards of the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. No tentative map for property located in an airport compatibility zone shall be approved unless the subdivision complies with the policies, restrictions and standards of the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
18.64.060 – Airport Noise Zones ¶
A. Establishment of airport noise zones. In order to carry out the provisions of this section, there are hereby created and established certain airport noise zones that include all of the land lying beneath the projected 2020 airport noise contours of 55 db CNEL, 60 db CNEL and 65 db CNEL. The various airport noise zones are hereby established and defined set forth in the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
B. Limitations on land uses. No use of land or structures in an airport noise zone shall be established, reconstructed, altered, allowed or replaced unless the use of land or structures complies with the policies, restrictions and standards of the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan. No tentative map for property located in an airport noise zone shall be approved unless the subdivision complies with the policies, restrictions and standards of the Truckee Tahoe Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
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18.64.080 – Nonconforming Uses and Structures ¶
The regulations prescribed by this Chapter shall not be construed to require the removal, lowering or other changes or alterations of any structure, object or tree not conforming to the regulations as of the effective date of this Development Code, or otherwise interfere with the continuance of any nonconforming use. Nothing herein contained shall require any change in the construction, alteration or intended use of any structure or object, the construction or alteration for which a land use permit has been issued prior to the effective date of this Development Code and is diligently pursued.
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