The city adopts this chapter under its authority to regulate landuse and to protect the health and safety of city residents through these land use regulations. The city recognizes that all air space regulations are preempted by federal law . (Ord. 22-03, 1-27-2022)

   A.   This chapter applies to all helipads in the city , including all public use helipads and helipads requiring prior permission, except as set forth in subsection B of this section. Helipad has the meaning set forth in the definition in subsection 13-19-3A.

   B.   This chapter does not apply to any helipad operated by a hospital , any helipad established within the boundaries of the South Valley Regional Airport , or any helipad classified as an emergency helicopter landing facility, pursuant to the definition in subsection 13-19-3B. (Ord. 22-03, 1-27-2022)

   A.   Helipad means heliports, helistops, or helicopter landing facilities.

   B.   Emergency helicopter landing facilities are:

      1.   Rooftop sites. Rooftop sites are for emergency use and are approved in the building inspection process under requirements established by the building code and any additional requirements established by the city's fire department based on National Fire Protection Association references. These sites are painted as "emergency only"; and

      2.   Medical Emergency Sites. Medical emergency sites are clear and level areas near the scene of an accident or incident that the local emergency response team designates as the place where the helicopter air ambulance is directed to land to transport an injured person to a hospital . The city's emergency planning personnel may pre-designate a medical emergency in the city . Pre-designating sites provides the opportunity to inspect potential sites in advance and to select sites that have adequate clear approach/departure airspace and adequate clear ground space. (Ord. 22-03, 1-27-2022)

   A.   Helipads are prohibited in any zone in which they are not specifically allowed by conditional use .

   B.   Helipads are a conditional use in any commercial , manufacturing, or airport special purpose zone , pursuant to sections 13-5E-3, 13-5F-2, and 13-5K-2. See section 13-19-6 for further guidelines regarding conditional uses for helipads.

   C.   Helipads shall not be located within one thousand (1,000) feet of the nearest residential building or the site of a public or private school.

   D.   Helipads shall only operate between the hours of seven o’clock (7:00) a.m. and eight o’clock (8:00) p.m. (Ord. 22-03, 1-27-2022)

   A.   Approach and departure paths sixty-five (65) feet wide shall be free of obstruction for a minimum distance of four hundred (400) feet.

   B.   Setbacks from property lines shall be as follows:

      1.   Takeoff and landing area: fifty (50) feet;

      2.   Helicopter maintenance facilities: twenty-five (25) feet; and

      3.   Administrative or operations building : fifteen (15) feet.

   C.   Any lighting used for nighttime operations shall be directed away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way. (Ord. 22-03, 1-27-2022)

   A.   In the allowed zones identified in section 13-19-4B, conditional uses may be approved for the construction and operation of a helipad if the helipad conforms to this chapter and subject to other reasonable conditions to prevent any adverse impacts on surrounding properties.

   B.   To aid in developing any appropriate conditions, the conditional use application shall include the following:

      1.   Description of the proposed operations, including the type of use , names and descriptions of helicopters expected to use the facility, and the anticipated number and timing of daily flights;

      2.   A copy of the FAA Part 157 noticing requirement form (FAA Form 7480-1 or successor form);

      3.   A copy of the heliport layout plan provided to the FAA as part of the noticing requirements;

      4.   A copy of the completed FAA aeronautical study; and

      5.   Identification of any hazards to private facilities that do not have an approved FAA -approved instrument approach and how the hazards will be mitigated. (Ord. 22-03, 1-27-2022)