This article provides standards and requirements for the establishment and operation of heliports and helistops for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public by:

(1)

Providing criteria for the location of heliports and helistops;

(2)

Ensuring heliport and helistop compatibility with noise-sensitive land uses;

(3)

Protecting noise-sensitive land uses from distributing levels of helicopter noise;

(4)

Ensuring safety in the use of heliports and helistops; and

(5)

Protecting property values.

(Ord. No. 10-06, § 1(21-300), 8-21-06)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except when the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Ambient noise level (ANL) means the existing background noise level exclusive of noise emitted by a helicopter, as measured by a Class 1 or 2 sound level meter meeting the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI-SI.4-1983) and measured in dBA.

Approach-departure path means the flight path of a helicopter as it approaches or departs from a designated takeoff and landing area.

Decibel A (dBA) means the A-weighted sound pressure level.

FAA means the Federal Aviation Administration.

FAR means the Federal Aviation Regulation.

Helicopter means a rotary-wing aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing. For the purposes of this article, it shall also include any type of aircraft capable of vertical take off and landings (VTOL) and short take off and landings (STOL).

Helicopter noise level (HNL) means the maximum noise level generated by a helicopter, as measured by a Class 1 or 2 sound level meter meeting the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI-SI.4-1983) and measured in dBA.

Helicopter operation or operation means the combined takeoff and landing of a helicopter.

Heliport means a designated land area used for helicopter operations and any appurtenant areas, including fueling facilities, terminal buildings and maintenance and repair facilities.

Helistop means a designated land area or roof structure used for the pickup of discharge of passengers and cargo, which does not provide helicopter maintenance and repair facilities or fueling services.

Noise-sensitive land use means:

a.

A land use subject to interference or annoyance by the intrusion of helicopter noise. Examples include, but are not limited to: residential uses; educational, cultural and religious facilities; health services; tourist lodging services; outdoor recreational or entertainment facilities; offices; research laboratories; and government designated wilderness areas or monuments; or

b.

Such unconstructed uses as listed above, having an approved subdivision plat, development plan or building permit.

Slant range measurement means the measurement taken from the closest point of the perimeter of the landing pad in a straight line to the closest point of a property line.

(Ord. No. 10-06, § 1(21-301), 8-21-06)

(a)

Setbacks.

(1)

Heliports. The landing pad perimeter shall be a minimum of:

a.

Fifty feet from a property line of the parcel;

b.

One thousand feet from a property line of a noise-sensitive land use;

c.

Two thousand five hundred feet from the perimeter of the landing pad of another heliport or helistop; and

d.

Three hundred feet form a public right-of-way.

(2)

Heliport accessory structures. Maintenance and fueling facilities shall be a minimum of 50 feet from a property line of the parcel.

(3)

Helistops. The landing pad perimeter shall be a minimum of:

a.

Fifty feet from a property line of the parcel;

b.

One thousand feet from a property line of a noise-sensitive land use;

c.

Two hundred feet from a property line of a noise-sensitive land use for hospital helistops;

d.

Three hundred feet from a public right-of-way;

e.

A slant range shall be used to measure the above setbacks for rooftop helistops.

(b)

[Hours of operation.] Permitted hours of operation are between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

(c)

Noise testing.

(1)

If the perimeter of the landing pad is within one mile of a noise-sensitive land use, the applicant shall perform a noise test before submitting the permit application. The test shall be taken:

a.

By a member of the Acoustical Society of America, Audio Engineering Society or Institute of Noise Control Engineering;

b.

At the property line of the nearest noise-sensitive land use; and

c.

Within the hours of operation 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

(2)

The applicant shall provide written notification to the city two weeks prior to the testing date.

(3)

The following shall help determine the potential number of operations:

a.

Legend:

ANL = Ambient noise level (measured in dBA and averaged over twelve hours);

HNL = Helicopter noise level (measured in dBA as the maximum reading taken during an operation);

dBA = the A-weighted sound pressure level.

b.

If the ANL at the property line of the nearest noise-sensitive land use is less than or equal to 55 dBA the following applies:

c.

If the ANL exceeds 55 dBA the following applies:

1.

If the HNL does not exceed the ANL, then the operation limits in Section 18.58.040D apply;

2.

If the HNL exceeds the ANL, then operations shall be limited by the applicable decibel ranges listed above.

(d)

Number of operations.

(1)

Heliports may be subject to limitations on the number of operations as a condition of the permit.

(2)

Helistops shall not exceed ten operations per day.

(3)

The city council or the party responsible for approving the permit may establish a lower number of permitted operations due to the proximity and number of noise-sensitive land uses.

(e)

[Approach-departure path.] Approach-departure path shall avoid noise-sensitive land uses and follow major streets when possible.

(f)

Operations log. The heliport or helistop permit holder shall log the identification, operation number and arrival-departure time of helicopters using the facility. Upon request the city shall receive a copy of the operation log.

(g)

Exemptions. Helistops for hospitals are exempt from all but the setback requirements of this section. Helicopters engaged in emergency medical operations, fire operations, law enforcement operations, military operations and disaster relief operations on a temporary basis shall be exempt from the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 10-06, § 1(21-302), 8-21-06)

(a)

Heliport/helistop use permit.

(1)

Notification. The notification area shall be 1,320 feet measured from the subject property line.

(2)

Submittals. An applicant for a heliport or helistop permit shall file a development order application. The applicant shall provide additional information as follows:

a.

An FAA airspace letter-of-determination stating no objection, with or without conditions, to the proposed facility.

b.

A text describing the following information:

1.

The type, weight and noise emission level (obtained from the manufacturer or FAA) of helicopters anticipated to use the site;

2.

The requested number of helicopter operations;

3.

The requested days and hours of operation of the facility; and

4.

An explanation of how the facility will be compatible with the purpose of this chapter.

c.

A surroundings plan, at one inch equal 200 feet scale, of the area within a 2,640-foot radius of the center of the helipad, showing the:

1.

Parcel boundaries and dimensions;

2.

Approach-departure path(s);

3.

Obstructions, as defined in FAR Part 77, within and adjacent to the approach-departure path(s);

4.

Location of noise-sensitive land uses within 2,640 feet of the center of the helipad and within the approach-departure path(s); and

5.

Location of public rights-of-way within 300 feet of the center of the helipad.

d.

A site plan, at one inch equals forty feet scale, showing the:

1.

Landing area, including markings and identification;

2.

Aircraft parking, maintenance and fueling areas, and peripheral areas;

3.

Location of fencing, screening and safety barriers;

4.

Points of access to the landing pad, i.e., gates, elevators and stairwells; and

5.

Location of accessory structures and equipment, including fire fighting equipment (when applicable).

(Ord. No. 10-06, § 1(21-303), 8-21-06)