§ 10.100.020   Definitions.
   Except where the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall govern in this chapter.
   AIRPORT. Any area of land designated and set aside for the landing and taking off of aircraft and utilized or to be utilized in the interest of the public for such purposes, a map of which has been or is hereafter included as a part of the Zoning Map of the City of Tulare.
   AIRPORT ELEVATION. The elevation of the highest point on the usable or designed runway as established by the City Engineer.
   AIRPORT HAZARD. Any structure, tree or use of land which obstructs the airspace required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at an airport or is otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off of aircraft.
   AIRPORT REFERENCE POINT. The point established at the approximate geographic center of the airport landing area and so designated.
   HEIGHT. Used for the purpose of determining height limits in all zones set forth in this chapter, means the vertical elevation in feet above the established airport elevation unless otherwise stated.
   HELIPORT PRIMARY SURFACE. The area of the primary surface coincides in size and shape with the designated landing and takeoff area of a heliport (runway). This surface is a horizontal plane at the elevation of the established heliport elevation.
   LANDING AREA. The area of an airport used, or to be used, for the landing, taking off or taxiing of aircraft.
   NON-CONFORMING USE. Any structure, tree or use of land which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter at the time this chapter is made applicable to a particular airport.
   PERSON. Any individual, firm, co-partnership, corporation, company association, joint stock association, city, county or district, and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or other similar representative thereof.
   PRIMARY SURFACE. A surface longitudinally centered on a runway. When the runway has a specially prepared hard surface, the primary surface extends 250 feet beyond each end of that runway; but when the runway specially prepared hard surface, or planing hard surface, the primary surface ends at each end of that runway. The width of the primary surface of a runway will be that width prescribed in Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) for the most precise approach existing or planned for either end of that runway. The elevation of any point on primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway centerline.
   RUNWAY. The paved surface of an airport landing area designated for the landing or taking off of aircraft.
   STOL PRIMARY SURFACE. Any imaginary plane, 300 feet wide, centered on the runway. Its length extends 100 feet beyond each runway end. The elevation of any point on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway centerline.
   STRUCTURE. Any object constructed, installed or placed on real property by humans including, but not limited to buildings, towers, smokestacks and overhead lines.
   UTILITY RUNWAY. A runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller driven aircraft of 12,500 lbs. maximum gross weight and less.
   VISUAL RUNWAY. A runway intended solely for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures with no straight-in instrument approach procedure and no instrument designation indicated on an FAA approval airport layout plan, a military service’s approved military airport layout plan or by any planning document submitted to the FAA by competent authority.
(1995 Code, § 10.100.020) (Ord. 00-1854, passed - -2000)