CHAPTER 8. HELICOPTERS, HELIPORTS AND HELISTOPS

6-8.01 Definitions.

The following words, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

a. Aircraft. The term "aircraft" shall include every kind of vehicle or structure intended for use as a means of transporting persons or goods, or both, in the air. Aircraft shall include helicopters.

b. Helicopter. A helicopter is a rotocraft which depends for its motion and support in the air principally upon the lift generated by one or more power-driven rotors that rotate on substantially vertical axis.

c. Fly or flight. The word "fly" and the word "flight" shall include every kind of locomotion by an aircraft.

d. Heliport. A heliport is an area of land or water or a structural surface which is used, or intended for use, for the landing and take-off of helicopters whether on a regular or irregular basis, and any appurtenant areas which are used, or intended for use, for heliport buildings and other heliport facilities.

e. Helistops. A helistop is the same as a heliport except that no refueling, maintenance, repairs or storage of helicopters is permitted. Helistop shall not include an area of land or water or a structural surface which is used exclusively or intended for exclusive use for the landing and take-off of aerial helicopter ambulances used in emergency situations.

f. Touchdown area. A touchdown area is that area of a roof structure, or platform above the roof, or ground surface, which is intended and designed for landing and take-off of helicopters. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968, as amended by §1, Ord. 961, eff. April 16, 1969)

6-8.02 Heliport: Where Permitted.

A heliport may be erected and maintained only at an authorized airport. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.03 Helistop: Where Permitted.

A helistop may be erected on buildings or other locations in the City as permitted by special use permit by the Planning Commission pursuant to Section 10-2.2217 (Special use permits - Zoning Chapter) of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code, provided that it is constructed and used in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968, as amended by §18, Ord. 1143, eff. August 30, 1972)

6-8.04 Approach Zones.

There shall be a minimum of two directional approach paths to an approved helistop. The approach paths shall not be less than 90‘ apart and shall be sufficiently free of obstruction to provide a glide slope of 8.1 (8 feet horizontal measurement and 1 foot in vertical measurement). (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.05 Landing at Other than Established Heliport or Helistop Prohibited.

Except in case of an emergency, no person shall land any helicopter within the corporate limits of the City of Walnut Creek except upon a regularly established airport field, heliport or helistop. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.06 Dimensions of Touchdown Area.

The touchdown or landing area for a helistop on ground level shall be a minimum 100 feet by 100 feet in size. The touchdown or landing area for a helistop on the roof-top of a building or structure shall be a minimum area of 40 feet by 40 feet, but in any event an area not less than one and one-half times the diameter of the rotor blades of the largest helicopter to use the area. In every case, the touchdown or landing area shall be surrounded on all sides by a clear area having a minimum width of 15 feet. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.07 Construction.

A helistop may be constructed directly on the roof surface of a building if all roof supports are designed for the load specified in this chapter. If the roof is not so designed or if it is otherwise unsuitable as a landing area, a substantially level platform may be constructed above the roof as a touchdown area. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.08 Design Requirement.

a. Helistops and supporting structures are to be designed for maximum stress produced by the following conditions:

1. Dead load of structure and helistop plus actual weight of loaded helicopter.

2. Dead load plus a single concentrated impact load covering one square foot equal to 75% of the fully loaded weight of the helicopter, if only helicopters with hydraulic type shock absorbers will use the helistop, or 150% of the fully loaded weight of the helicopter if helicopters with only rigid or skid-type landing gear will use the helistop.

3. Dead load of structure and helistop plus a live load of 100 pounds per square foot. The "live" load may be reduced for columns only in accordance with the Building Code (Chapter 1, Title 9, of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code).

b. Deflections from all loads shall not exceed 1/360th of the span for members supporting the helistop when located on buildings.

c. Structural design of all buildings supporting a helistop shall be in accordance with the Building Code (Chapter 1, Title 8, of the Walnut Creek Municipal Code) unless otherwise specified in this section. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.09 Materials for Construction.

On buildings supporting a helistop construction of the touchdown area shall be incombustible. The surface of the touchdown and adjacent area shall be covered with an impervious and incombustible material. The touchdown area must be made of such material that it will be free of dust, loose ground or gravel and particles of concrete which may be blown out by the downblast of air of the rotor. Surfaces must be properly drained. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.10 Safety Precautions.

Helistops constructed and operated within the City shall comply with the following safety requirements:

a. The touchdown area, if intended for public use, shall be marked as prescribed by the Federal Aviation Agency. The numerals of maximum weight allowable for use of the touchdown area shall be painted on the area in conspicuous letters visible to pilots. A one-foot wide border shall be painted around the edge of the touchdown area.

b. The touchdown or landing area on rooftops shall be elevated or provision made for collecting gasoline which may be spilled in the event of an emergency.

c. Each building or structure supporting rooftop helistop shall be provided with a four foot high parapet wall on the roof, designed and anchored to support a horizontal load of 100 pounds per lineal foot assumed to be acting at the top of the wall. Such parapet wall shall have no openings except required roof drainage overflows.

d. There shall be at least two exits from a rooftop touchdown area, if elevated higher than 36 inches above the roof. Two conforming exits shall be provided from the helistop roof area to the next floor below and should be remote from each other. Exits and stairways from helistops shall comply with the provisions of the Building Code (Chapter 1, Title 9, Walnut Creek Municipal Code). Exits shall be stairways and no fire escape will be accepted as a means of exit.

e. For all helistops, a wet standpipe shall be provided and equipped with a 1-1/2 inch fire hose not over 75 feet in length and equipped with a fog nozzle. Two such installations may be required, with the hose cabinets located near the separate exits. Sufficient pressure shall be available to afford a good fog pattern, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal.

f. For all helistops, two approved dry powder type fire extinguishers of at least the 20 pound size shall be provided and be located remotely from each other. If desired, one of these can be substituted with a CO2-type extinguisher having the same extinguishing rating.

g. For all helistops, a telephone, not of the pay variety, shall be provided or a fire alarm box installed or other method of communication, approved by the Fire Marshall, maintained.

h. No refueling or repairing is to be accomplished at a helistop except in extreme emergency, and then only as approved by the Fire Marshal.

i. A ground attendant shall be present during all landing and take-off operations at a helistop.

j. Helistops shall be provided with an acceptable wind indicator or wind sock.

k. Landing area should be aligned to give maximum "into the wind" operation. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.11 Night Lighting.

If the helistop is to be used for night landing, it shall be lighted in accordance with the applicable standards or recommendations of the Federal Aviation Agency. (§1, Ord. 929, eff. September 4, 1968)

6-8.12 General Requirements.

The operation of a helistop within the City shall comply with the following requirements:

a. There shall be compliance with all laws and regulations of the Federal Aviation Agency, the State of California and the City of Walnut Creek.

b. No elevated structure being used as a helistop shall be used for fueling, refueling or the storage of flammables.

c. The owner or operator of a helistop within the City shall maintain insurance in the amounts of $100,000.00/$300,000.00 personal injury, and $50,000.00 property damage, naming the City of Walnut Creek as an additional insured, or such additional sums as the Planning Commission shall deem necessary because of special circumstances in granting a special use permit for such facilities.

d. The continued use of a helistop shall be conditioned upon the regular payment of all City fees applicable to the site.

e. The maximum number of take-offs and landings to be permitted at a helistop is ten (10) per day unless the Planning Commission finds that a specified additional number is in the public interest and allows same in granting a special use permit for the operation of a helistop. (§1, Ord. 919, eff. September 4, 1968, as amended by §18, Ord. 1143, eff. August 30, 1972)