As used in this ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires:

Administrator. The official charged with the enforcement of the ordinance who shall be the zoning administrator unless otherwise provided by resolution of the governing body.

Airport. Means Orange County Airport (Orange) and Gordonsville Municipal Airport (Gordonsville).

Airport Elevation. 475 feet above mean sea level (msl) for Orange and 454 feet above mean sea level (msl) for Gordonsville.

Approach Surface. A surface longitudinally centered on the extended runway centerline, extending outward and upward from the end of the primary surface and at the same slope as the approach zone height limitation slope set forth in section 70-952. In plan the perimeter of the approach surface coincides with the perimeter of the approach zone.

Approach, Transitional, Horizontal, and Conical Zones. These zones are set forth in section 70-951.

Conical Surface. A surface extending outward and upward from the periphery of the horizontal surface at a slope of 20:1 for a horizontal distance of 4,000 feet.

Hazard to Air Navigation. An obstruction determined to have a substantial adverse effect on the safe and efficient utilization of the navigable airspace.

Height. For the purpose of determining the height limits in all zones set forth in this ordinance and shown on the zoning map, the datum shall be mean sea level elevation unless otherwise specified.

Horizontal Surface. A horizontal plane 150 feet above the established airport elevation, the perimeter of which in plan coincides with the perimeter of the horizontal zone.

Nonconforming Use. Any preexisting structure, object of natural growth, or use of land which is inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance or an amendment thereto.

Obstruction. Any structure, growth, or other object, including a mobile object, which exceeds a limiting height set forth in section 70-952.

Person. An individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, or governmental entity; includes a trustee, a receiver, an assignee, or a similar representative of any of them.

Primary Surface. A surface longitudinally centered on a runway. When the runway has a specifically prepared hard surface, the primary surface extends 200 feet beyond each end of that runway; when the runway has no specially prepared hard surface, or planned hard surface, the primary surface ends at each end of that runway. The width of the primary surface is set forth in section 70-951. The elevation of any point on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway centerline.

Runway. A defined area on an airport prepared for landing and takeoff of aircraft along its length.

Structure. An object, including a mobile object, constructed or installed by man, including but without limitation, buildings, towers, cranes, smokestacks, earth formation, and overhead transmission lines.

Transitional Surfaces. These surfaces extend outward at 90-degree angles to the runway centerline and the runway centerline extended at a slope of seven feet horizontally for each foot vertically from the sides of the primary and approach surfaces to where they intersect the horizontal and conical surfaces.

Tree. Any object of natural growth.

Utility Runway. A runway that is constructed for and intended to be used by propeller-driven aircraft of 12,500 pounds maximum gross weight and less.

Visual Runway. A runway intended solely for the operation of aircraft using visual approach procedures.

In order to carry out the provisions of this ordinance, there are hereby created and established certain zones which include all of the unincorporated area of Orange County lying beneath the approach surfaces, transitional surfaces, horizontal surfaces, and conical surfaces as they apply to the Orange County Airport and the Gordonsville Municipal Airport. Such zones are set out in FAR part 77 and shown on the imaginary surfaces maps attached hereto. An area located in more than one of the following zones is considered to be only in the zone with the most restrictive height limitation. The various zones are hereby established and defined as follows:

1. Utility Runway Visual Approach Zones. The inner edge of this approach zone coincides with the width of the primary surface and is 250 feet wide for Orange and 200 feet wide for Gordonsville. The approach zone expands outward uniformly to a width of 1,250 feet at a horizontal distance of 5,000 feet from the primary surface. Its centerline is the continuation of the centerline of the runway.
2. Transitional Zones. The transitional zones are the areas beneath the transitional surfaces.
3. Horizontal Zone. The horizontal zone is established by swinging arcs of 5,000 feet radii from the center of each end of the primary surface of each runway and connecting the adjacent arcs by drawing lines tangent to those arcs. The horizontal zone does not include the approach and transitional zones.
4. Conical Zone. The conical zone is established as the area that commences at the periphery of the horizontal zone and extends outward therefrom a horizontal distance of 4,000 feet.

Except as otherwise provided in this ordinance, no structure shall be erected, altered, or maintained, and no tree shall be allowed to grow in any zone created by this ordinance to a height in excess of the applicable height limit herein established for such zone. Such applicable height limitations are hereby established for each of the zones in question as follows:

1. Utility Runway Visual Approach Zone. Slopes 20 feet outward for each foot upward beginning at the end of and at the same elevation as the primary surface and extending to a horizontal distance of 5,000 feet along the extended runway centerline.
2. Transitional Zones. Slopes seven feet outward for each foot upward beginning at the sides of and at the same elevation as the primary surface and the approach surface, and extending to a height of 150 feet above the airport elevation. In addition to the foregoing, there are established height limits sloping seven feet outward for each foot upward beginning at the sides of and at the same elevation as the approach surface, and extending to where they intersect the conical surface.
3. Horizontal Zone. Established at 150 feet above the airport elevation or at a height of 625 feet above mean sea level for Orange and 604 feet above mean sea level for Gordonsville.
4. Conical Zone. Slopes 20 feet outward for each foot upward beginning at the periphery of the horizontal zone and at 150 feet above the airport elevation and extending to a height of 350 feet above the airport elevation (825 feet above mean sea level for Orange and 804 feet above mean sea level for Gordonsville).
5. Excepted Height Limitations. Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed as prohibiting the construction or maintenance of any structure, or growth of any tree to a height up to 50 feet above the surface of the land.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this ordinance, no use may be made of land or water within any zone established by this ordinance in such a manner as to create electrical interference with navigational signals or radio communication between the airport and aircraft, make it difficult for pilots to distinguish between airport lights and others, result in glare in the eyes of pilots using the airport, impair visibility in the vicinity of the airport, create bird strike hazards, or otherwise in any way endanger or interfere with the landing, takeoff, or maneuvering of aircraft intending to use the airport.

1. Regulations Not Retroactive. The regulations prescribed by this ordinance shall not be construed to require the removal, lowering, or other change or alteration of any structure or tree not conforming to the regulations as of the effective date of this ordinance, or otherwise interfere with the continuance of a nonconforming use. Nothing contained herein shall require any change in the construction, alteration, or intended use of any structure, the construction or alteration of which was begun prior to the effective date of this ordinance, and is diligently prosecuted.
2. Marking and Lighting. Notwithstanding the preceding provision of this section, the owner of any existing nonconforming structure or tree is hereby required to permit the installation, operation, and maintenance thereon of such markers and lights as shall be deemed necessary by the administrator, to indicate to the operators of aircraft in the vicinity of the airport the presence of such airport obstruction. Such markers and lights shall be installed, operated, and maintained at the expense of the airport owners.

1. Future Uses. Except as specifically provided in subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) hereunder, no material change shall be made in the use of land, no structure shall be erected or otherwise established, and no tree shall be planted in any zone hereby created unless a permit therefor shall have been applied for and granted. Each application for a permit shall indicate the purpose for which desired, with ample specificity to determine if the resulting use, structure, or tree would conform to the regulations herein prescribed. If such determination is in the affirmative, the permit shall be granted. No permit for a use inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance shall be granted unless a variance has been approved in accordance with subsection (a)(4).
   1. In the area lying within the limits of the horizontal zone and conical zone, no permit shall be required for any tree or structure less than 75 feet of vertical height above the ground, except when, because of terrain, land contour, or topographic features, such tree or structure would extend above the height limits prescribed for such zones.
   2. In areas lying within the limits of the approach zones, but at a horizontal distance of not less than 4,200 feet from each end of the runway, no permit shall be required for any tree or structure less than 75 feet of vertical height above the ground, except when such tree or structure would extend above the height limit prescribed for such approach zones.
   3. In the areas lying within the limits of the transition zones beyond the perimeter of the horizontal zone, no permit shall be required for any tree or structure less than 75 feet of vertical height above the ground, except when such tree or structure, because of terrain, land contour, or topographic features, would extend above the height limit prescribed for such transition zones.
   4. Nothing contained in any of the foregoing exceptions shall be construed as permitting or intending to permit any construction, or alteration of any structure, or growth of any tree in excess of any of the height limits established by this ordinance except as set forth in section 70-952(e).
2. Existing Uses. No permit shall be granted that would allow the establishment or creation of an obstruction or permit a nonconforming use, structure, or tree to become a greater hazard to air navigation that it was on the effective date of this ordinance [December 9, 1980] or any amendments thereto or than it is when the application for a permit is made. Except as indicated, all applications for such a permit shall be granted.
3. Nonconforming Uses Abandoned or Destroyed. Whenever the administrator determines that a nonconforming tree or structure has been abandoned or more than 80 percent destroyed, physically deteriorated, or decayed, no permit shall be granted that would allow such structure or tree to exceed the applicable height limit or otherwise deviate from the zoning regulations.
4. Variances. Any person desiring to erect or increase the height of any structure, or permit the growth of any tree, or use property, not in accordance with the regulations prescribed in this ordinance, may apply for a variance from such regulations to the Orange County Board of Zoning Appeals. The application for variance shall be accompanied by a determination from the Federal Aviation Administration as to the effect of the proposal on the operation of air navigation facilities and the safe, efficient use of navigable airspace. Such variances shall be allowed where it is duly found that a literal application or enforcement of the regulations will result in unnecessary hardship and relief granted, will not be contrary to the public interest, will not create a hazard to air navigation, will do substantial justice, and will be in accordance with the spirit of this ordinance. Additionally, no application for variance to the requirements of this ordinance may be considered by the board of zoning appeals unless a copy of the application has been furnished to the airport owner for advice as to the aeronautical effects of the variance. If the airport owner does not respond to the application within 15 days after receipt, the board of zoning appeals may act on its own to grant or deny said application.
5. Obstruction Marking and Lighting. Any permit or variance granted may, if such action is deemed advisable to effectuate the purpose of this ordinance and be reasonable in the circumstances, be so conditioned as to require the owner of the structure or tree in question to install, operate, and maintain, at the owner’s expense, such markings and lights as may be necessary. If deemed proper by the board of zoning appeals, this condition may be modified to require the owner to permit the airport owner, at its own expenses, to install, operate, and maintain the necessary markings and lights.

It shall be the duty of the administrator to administer and enforce the regulations prescribed herein. Applications for permits and variances shall be made to the administrator upon a form published for that purpose. Applications required by this ordinance to be submitted to the administrator shall be promptly considered and granted or denied. Application for action by the board of zoning appeals shall be mailed or presented to the board of zoning appeals, c/o the County administrator as governed by article 12-04 of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance, 1979, as amended, [section 70-36 et seq. of the Code].

Any person aggrieved, or any officer, department, board or bureau of the county affected by a decision of the administrator may appeal to the Orange County Board of Zoning Appeals as established by article 12 (12-03 through 12-07) of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance, 1979, as amended [section 70-61 et seq. of the Code].

Any person aggrieved or any taxpayer affected, by any decision of the board of zoning appeals may appeal to the circuit court of the county as governed by article 12-6 of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance, 1979, as amended [section 70-69(a) of the Code].

Each violation of this ordinance or of any regulations, order, or ruling promulgated hereunder shall constitute a misdemeanor and be punishable by a fine of not less than $10.00 nor more than $250.00 as governed by article 13 of the Orange County Zoning Ordinance, 1979, as amended [section 70-731 et seq. of the Code].

Where there exists a conflict between any of the regulations or limitations prescribed in this ordinance and any other regulations applicable to the same area, where the conflict be with respect to the height of structures or trees, and the use of land, or any other matter, the more stringent limitation or requirement shall govern and prevail.

Should any section or provision of this ordinance be decided by the courts to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole, or any part thereof other than the part so held to be unconstitutional or invalid.