Sections:
Article 1. General
4-5.101 Policy and purpose.
4-5.102 Definitions.
Article 2. Airport Business Activities
4-5.201 Contracts required.
4-5.202 Fees for the use of non-leased areas or facilities.
Article 3. Aircraft Operation
4-5.301 Compliance with Federal Aviation Agency rules.
4-5.302 Aircraft parking.
4-5.303 Traffic patterns.
4-5.304 Aircraft engine operation.
4-5.305 Use of runways.
4-5.306 Braking systems.
4-5.307 Formation flying.
4-5.308 Maximum weight.
4-5.309 Simulated forced landings.
4-5.310 Operation of malfunctioning aircraft.
4-5.311 Use of runways and taxiways.
4-5.312 Operation and taxiing.
Article 4. Motor Vehicle Operation
4-5.401 Speed limits.
4-5.402 Crossing runways and taxiways.
4-5.403 Rights-of-way.
4-5.404 Areas of operation.
Article 5. Firearms
4-5.501 Carrying firearms.
4-5.502 Hunting.
Article 6. Fire Safety
4-5.601 Operation and storage of vehicles in hangars.
4-5.602 Fueling and fuel storage.
4-5.603 Smoking within hangars.
4-5.604 Welding and painting operations.
4-5.605 Fire extinguishers required.
4-5.606 Fire extinguisher access.
4-5.607 Fire extinguisher training.
4-5.608 Storage of flammables.
4-5.609 Floors.
4-5.610 Cleaning solvents.
4-5.611 Electrical wiring.
4-5.612 Reporting fires.
4-5.613 Compliance with rules.
Article 7. Accident Reporting and Assistance
4-5.701 Accidents involving aircraft.
Article 8. Littering
4-5.801 Litter prohibited.
4-5.802 Work areas.
Article 9. Financial Responsibility
4-5.901 Financial responsibility required: Form.
4-5.902 Evidence of financial responsibility, inspections, and indemnity.
Article 10. Violations: Penalties: Rules: Rulemaking
4-5.1001 Violations of chapter provisions or rules: Penalties.
4-5.1002 Rulemaking by Board.
4-5.1003 Violations: Administrative sanctions: Applications.
4-5.1004 Violations: Administrative sanctions authorized.
4-5.1005 Violations: Hearings: Procedure.
4-5.1006 Cease and desist orders: Procedure: Violations Constituting emergencies.
Article 1.
General
General
The Board hereby expresses its policy and purpose in the enactment of this chapter to be as follows:
(a) To provide rules and regulations governing the safe operation of the airport facilities owned by the County, including, but not limited to, the rules expressed in this chapter governing the operation of aircraft to the extent permissible by Federal and State laws or rules on the subject;
(b) To provide minimum standards for the conduct of business operations on airport property; and
(c) To authorize and provide standards for the operation by resolution of the Board of detailed rules governing specific aspects of the matters governed by this chapter. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, certain words and phrases used in this chapter are defined as follows:
(a) “Airport” shall mean each and every airport and all airport property owned, operated, or controlled by the County. “Airport” shall include all improvements, facilities, and appurtenances, including all roads and access ways within the boundaries of the airport. “Airport” shall include the Yolo County Airport as particularly described in the certain deeds recorded in the office of the County Recorder at Book 285, Page 35, and Book 567, Page 386, Official Records.
(b) “Aircraft” shall mean any machine or contrivance used for flying, whether heavier or lighter than air, whether self-propelled or not, excluding parachutes.
(c) “Aircraft ground movement area” shall mean the runways, taxiways, and parking aprons of the airport.
(d) “Airport Director” shall mean the person designated by the Board as having primary jurisdiction for administering the provisions of this chapter, applicable rules and regulations, and the leases and/or contracts concerning airports in the County.
(e) “Based aircraft” shall mean any aircraft assigned a reserved parking space, tie-down space, or hangar space, whether or not such assignment is made under a written lease with the County.
(f) “Board” shall mean the Board of Supervisors of the County of Yolo, State of California.
(g) “Competent aircraft operator” shall mean a person holding a valid pilot’s license of any class from the Federal Aviation Agency or a person who has the requisite skill and knowledge to perform ground operations limited to the maintenance and surface movement of aircraft.
(h) “County” shall mean the County of Yolo, State of California.
(i) “FAA” shall mean the Federal Aviation Agency of the United States of America, as defined in the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, or any subsequent and successor body to that agency created for the control and operation of aviation and its related functions.
(j) “Fixed base operator” shall mean any person, firm, or corporation providing aircraft servicing, maintenance, storage, aircraft sales, lease, or rentals, flight instruction, or other activities of a similar nature at the airport pursuant to a lease or contract or sublease or sub-contract with the County; provided, however, “fixed base operator”, shall exclude parachuting and/or skydiving activities or providers.
(k) “Fire Department” shall mean the West Plainfield Fire District or any successor in function.
(l) “Maintain aircraft” shall mean any form of service, maintenance, or repair of aircraft.
(m) “Operate aircraft” shall mean the self-propelled, pushed, or towed movement of aircraft on the ground or the movement of aircraft in flight.
(n) “Owner” shall mean the registered and/or legal owner of an aircraft according to the files and records of the FAA.
(o) “Person” shall mean an individual, corporate entity, or public agency.
(p) “Regularly situated” shall mean an aircraft based at the airport for a period in excess of ten (10) days. For the purposes of this subsection, aircraft are based at the airport all of any day in which the aircraft is situated at the airport for a period exceeding eight (8) hours. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Article 2.
Airport Business Activities
Airport Business Activities
No person, within the boundaries of any County airport, shall operate any wholesale or retail business outlet, location, store, or similar place of business for the provision of any goods or services without a written lease or contract with the County or the County’s written consent to a sublease, assignment, or other entitlement permitting the operation. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
The Board by rule adopted pursuant to the provisions of Section 4-5.1002 of Article 10 of this chapter, may set reasonable fees to be charged to the public for the use of any or all airport areas or facilities, unless the right to set fees is otherwise granted to a lessee or contractor pursuant to the provisions of Section 4-5.201 of this article.
Such rule may provide for the collection of such fees by the fixed base operators and the reimbursement of the fixed base operators for the service in a set amount of percentage of fees collected. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Article 3.
Aircraft Operation
Aircraft Operation
No person shall operate or maintain any aircraft at any airport except in strict conformity with all laws, rules, and regulations of the County and the regulations of the FAA and the Division of Aeronautics of the State. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
(a) Minimum height. The Yolo County Airport traffic pattern is established at 1,100 feet AMSL (above measured sea level). Low flying shall be prohibited except when climbing from a takeoff or descending for a landing within the designated airport approach or departure zone.
(b) Traffic pattern map. The official airport traffic pattern for Yolo County Airport shall be as set forth in this section. All aircraft shall observe the approved traffic pattern for the Yolo County Airport, emergency landings excepted; provided, however, the Board, by rule, may approve alternate traffic patterns for commercial crop dusting aircraft. (Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977, as amended by 8 1, Ord. 812, eff. July 27, 1978)
PATTERN ALTITUDE 900 ft. MSL
YOLO COUNTY AIRPORT
(a) Minimum distance from buildings. Aircraft shall be stopped and all engines shut off at a minimum distance of twenty-five (25’) feet before entering any hangar or building.
(b) Operations within buildings. No aircraft engine shall be started or run up in any hangar, or when the aircraft is tailed toward hangar doors, or when positioned in such a manner as to constitute a danger to persons or property. Taxiing in and out of hangars shall be specifically prohibited.
(c) Engine tests. Engine run-ups and tests shall be performed in areas designated by the fixed base operator and approved by the Board by rule. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
(a) Remain idle. No aircraft shall remain idle on the airport runways.
(b) Blocking access. No aircraft shall block the entrance to the airport, taxiways, or runways, other than for the normal time required to perform routine check-outs prior to takeoff.
(c) Crossing access ways. Aircraft shall not cross or enter upon a runway until the pilot has stopped and assured by visual inspection that there is no danger of collision with any person or object. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
(a) Operators in aircraft. No aircraft engine shall be started or operated unless a competent aircraft operator is in the aircraft attending to the controls or the aircraft is being serviced or repaired in an area designated for the purpose and the aircraft is properly secured to prevent accidental movement.
(b) Taxiing speed. Aircraft shall be taxied at all times at a reasonable and safe speed under all circumstances with a competent aircraft operator at the controls and shall taxi at the operator’s discretion, unless specifically directed otherwise. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Article 4.
Motor Vehicle Operation
Motor Vehicle Operation
Motor vehicle speeds shall be limited to twenty-five (25) miles per hour within the confines of the airport and fifteen (15) miles per hour within 150 feet of any aircraft or building; provided, however, at no time shall a motor vehicle be driven at a speed faster than is safe and reasonable under all the circumstances. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
No person shall operate any vehicle or travel on the airport in any manner except on the roads, walks, paths, and areas designated for the particular means of travel. No obstruction shall be permitted on any road, walk, or path without the prior permission of the County. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Article 5.
Firearms
Firearms
Unless authorized by subsection (b)of Section 12031 of the Penal Code of the State or by this section, no person shall carry firearms or explosives of any type on any County airport; provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not prohibit the carrying of firearms within the airport, which firearms are unloaded and in a proper case or holster. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Article 6.
Fire Safety
Fire Safety
(a) Non-Aviation storage in a hangar must not interfere with movement of aircraft in or out of the hangar, or impede access to other aeronautical contents of the hangar.
(b) Industrial vehicles. Power-operated industrial trucks and tractors used or stored within hangars shall be of a type approved by the Fire Department and shall meet the standards designated in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of the State. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1491, eff. August 17, 2017)
(a) No aircraft or vehicle shall be fueled or defueled within any hangar or any other building not specifically designed for the purpose.
(b) Fuel shall not be stored within any hangar or other building not designed for the purpose, except fuel remaining in the fuel tanks of aircraft stored within the hangar.
(c) All equipment and storage facilities for fuel shall meet the applicable regulations of the FAA, the Fire Department, and other applicable laws. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
(a) Signs: Posting. All fixed base operators shall post “No Smoking” signs as designated by the Fire Department.
(b) Smoking restricted. No person shall smoke any cigarette, cigar, or pipe, or strike any match, or kindle any flame whatsoever within fifty (50’) feet of any aircraft while being fueled, or within fifty (50’) feet from any fuel island or any flammable liquid container, or within any hangar or aircraft workshop located upon the airport, except as approved by the Fire Department. Smoking may be permitted within areas designated by the Fire Department. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Suitable portable fire extinguishers shall be provided and installed by the fixed base operators as directed by the Fire Department as to number, type, and location and shall not be moved from designated locations for any reason other than as a precaution against an immediate hazard or to be recharged. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Access to all fire-extinguishing equipment shall be kept free and unobstructed at all times. Portable fire extinguishers shall be fully charged at all times and shall be inspected periodically by the Fire Department. Fire prevention inspections shall be made by the Fire Department. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Each fixed base operator shall institute training programs for employees in the use of portable fire-extinguishing equipment and methods of evacuating or relocating occupants of the premises in the event of a fire or other emergency. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
(a) Storage bins required. All tenants of buildings shall provide metal containers equipped with self-closing doors approved by the Fire Department for the storage of oily wastes, rags, and similar combustible materials. All such wastes shall be removed and disposed of in the manner prescribed by the Fire Department.
(b) Storage outside bins prohibited. No person shall store or stock any material or equipment or place any flammable liquid, solid, gas, signal flare, or similar hazardous materials within any hangar or building, except in areas, containers, and quantities specifically approved by the Fire Department. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
All tenants of buildings shall maintain the floors of hangars, and all areas leased by them, free and clear of oil, grease, and other flammable materials. No person shall use flammable substances for cleaning floors of hangars or other buildings. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Only nonflammable or high flashpoint (100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater) solvents shall be used during any cleaning process, including cleaning aircraft parts. The disposal of gasoline, oil, solvent, or other flammable waste products into any drain, manhole, open ditch, or other airport area not designated for such purpose shall be strictly prohibited. Drip and collecting pans shall be used during any cleaning process and shall be emptied daily. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Every person who becomes aware of any fire or smoldering combustion of an unwarranted or insidious nature which is not confined within equipment designated for the purpose or which constitutes a potential hazard to the premises, shall report such fire or smoldering combustion to the Fire Department immediately. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
(a) Local fire protection entities. All persons shall comply with all fire safety regulations established by a governmental entity having jurisdiction for fire protection at the airport and the Fire Prevention Code of the County.
(b) National Fire Protection Association Standard 407. National Fire Protection Association Standard 407 is hereby adopted as a part of this chapter by reference. All persons using or occupying the airport shall be required to have full and complete knowledge of the terms and conditions of NFPA Standard 407. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Article 7.
Accident Reporting and Assistance
Accident Reporting and Assistance
(a) Reporting. Witnesses to any person involved in any accident or damage to aircraft occurring at the airport shall promptly make a full report of such damage or accident to the nearest FAA Safety Officer, to the office of the County Executive, and to the Sheriff-Coroner.
(b) Assistance. Aircraft operators, owners, or their agents, or permittees of aircraft involved in any accident shall be responsible for, and shall cooperate and assist in, the prompt removal of damaged aircraft, parts, property, or debris resulting from such accident; provided, however, the County or officials of the FAA may prohibit the movement or removal of any damaged aircraft or property. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Article 8.
Littering
Littering
Article 9.
Financial Responsibility
Financial Responsibility
All registered owners of aircraft regularly situated at the airport shall be financially responsible as required by this section. The minimum financial responsibility required pursuant to this section shall be as follows: single limit of Three Hundred Thousand and no/100ths ($300,000.00) Dollars per occurrence for bodily injury, death, and property damage.
Evidence of financial responsibility shall consist of a certificate of insurance or a good and sufficient bond issued by an insurance company or a surety company duly authorized to transact business in the State. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1018, eff. September 12, 1985)
If, upon a reasonable request by an authorized employee of the County, the owner of an aircraft regularly situated at the airport fails or refuses to furnish the County with the required evidence of financial responsibility within a reasonable time, not exceeding one day, the owner shall thereafter be prohibited from basing any aircraft which he may own at the airport until such time as he complies with the provisions of this article. The provisions of this section shall not be construed as requiring the County, or any of its officers, agents, or employees, to inspect the evidence of financial responsibility; nor as imposing any duty to ascertain whether such owner is, in fact, financially responsible; nor as in any way affecting State laws on the subject of such owner’s duty to be financially responsible; provided, however, all persons using the facilities of any airport located in the County shall do so by license of the County and, by such use, shall be deemed to have agreed with the County to indemnify and save harmless the County, and its officers, agents, and employees, from any and all liability against the County arising from the use of the airport by such person. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Article 10.
Violations: Penalties: Rules: Rulemaking
Violations: Penalties: Rules: Rulemaking
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor on each day during which such violation occurs and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or by a fine not to exceed Five Hundred and no/100ths ($500.00) Dollars, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
The Board hereby is authorized to promulgate by resolution any rules or regulations necessary or convenient in the discretion of the Board to effectuate the provisions of this chapter. Such rules shall concern the details of subjects regulated by this chapter, and shall be designed to realize the legislative intent of such regulations. Such rules may be adopted pursuant to the procedure required for the adoption of resolutions, shall become effective on the effective date of resolutions, and shall be prospective in application. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Upon any violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to Section 4-5.1002 of this article by any person, the Airport Director may file an application with the Clerk of the Board in the manner set forth in Section 2-1.303 of Article 3 of Chapter 1 of Title 2 of this Code, requesting the Board to impose sanctions pursuant to this article. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
If the Board after a hearing finds that any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to Section 4-5.1002 of this article has been violated, the Board hereby is authorized to impose the following sanctions:
(a) Fixed base operators. If the violation was committed by a fixed base operator, the lease or contract of such fixed base operator shall be rescinded or otherwise terminated as provided in the lease or contract or, if not so provided, as provided by the Board in its order.
(b) All others. If the violation was committed by a person other than a fixed base operator, the Board by its order may permanently forbid the use of the airport by such person.
The sanctions set forth in this section shall be cumulative to any other penalty imposed by law or this chapter. The power granted to the Board by this section expressly is intended and shall include the power to impose lesser sanctions included within those set forth in this section, which, in the discretion of the Board are proper in the circumstances. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
Before any sanction authorized by Section 4-5.1004 of this article is imposed, the Board shall conduct a hearing pursuant to the procedure for such hearings set forth in Sections 2-1.301 through 2-1.311 of Article 3, entitled “Rules Governing Conduct of Judicial or Quasi-Judicial Proceedings”, of Chapter 1 of Title 2 of this Code. The decision after such hearing shall be final; provided, however, the Board by its order may retain jurisdiction of the proceedings, continue the hearing, and issue such interim orders as the Board deems appropriate in the case. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)
(a) The Airport Director hereby is authorized to issue a cease and desist order at any time he has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of any provision of Articles 3, 5, or 6 of this chapter, or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, has occurred or is occurring.
(c) The cease and desist order shall be effective until the Board holds a hearing on the application for sanctions and shall specifically forbid the conduct constituting the violation. Such hearing shall be commenced by the Board no later than fifteen (15) days after the date of service of the cease and desist order on the person committing the violation.
(d) The violation of the cease and desist order shall be a separate violation of this chapter.
(e) The Board hereby declares that the standards of conduct set forth in Articles 3, 5, and 6 of this chapter and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter are essential for the public health and safety in that such standards regulate aspects of airport operations which, if conducted negligently, result in substantial danger to the residents of the County. Violations of such standards are therefore deemed by the Board to create a very hazardous situation which hereby is deemed to be an emergency which justifies temporary summary abatement by the issuance of a cease and desist order by the Airport Director without a prior hearing. (§ 1, Ord. 773, eff. April 14, 1977)