CHAPTER 20.15
AIRPORT OVERLAY ZONE Revised 6/26

Sections:

20.15.010    Purpose and intent. Revised 6/26

20.15.020    Statutory authority. Revised 6/26

20.15.030    Applicability. Revised 6/26

20.15.040    Description of overlay zones. Revised 6/26

20.15.050    Compatible uses. Revised 6/26

20.15.060    Height limits. Revised 6/26

20.15.010 Purpose and intent. Revised 6/26

A. The purpose of the Airport Overlay Zone (AOZ) is to protect the viability of the Quincy Municipal Airport as a significant community resource by requiring compatible land uses and densities, reducing hazards to lives and properties, and ensuring a safe and secure flying environment consistent with federal aviation regulations.

B. The overlay zone regulations will be applied in addition to the existing municipal zoning districts. Where the overlay zone and/or portions thereof are shown outside the current City limits, it is meant to be advisory to adjacent jurisdictions until said areas are annexed into and become part of the City.

C. The airport overlay zone modifies the underlying zoning districts’ density and land use standards. These modifications protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community, airport users, and citizens working and residing within the airport overlay zone.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict, impair, or limit the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, upgrade, or execution of any of its easement rights for the existing public utility facilities or easements lawfully established prior to the adoption of this code. (Ord 26-653 §2 (Ex A))

20.15.020 Statutory authority. Revised 6/26

This chapter is adopted pursuant to RCW 36.70.547 and 36.70A.510, as now enacted or hereafter amended, which require counties and cities to adopt development regulations that discourage the siting of incompatible uses adjacent to general aviation airports. (Ord 26-653 §2 (Ex A))

20.15.030 Applicability. Revised 6/26

The provisions of this chapter apply to all land, buildings, structures, vegetation, and uses within the designated airport overlay zone, as shown on the official zoning map. These regulations do not apply to areas outside City limits unless such areas are annexed into the City.

Nonconforming uses and structures are subject to the provisions of Chapter 20.60 (Nonconforming Uses and Structures). (Ord 26-653 §2 (Ex A))

20.15.040 Description of overlay zones. Revised 6/26

The AOZ includes six airport compatibility zones (ACZs) based on guidance from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation Division and federal aviation safety data (NTSB and FAA). These zones are mapped on the AOZ map maintained by the City. (Ord 26-653 §2 (Ex A))

20.15.050 Compatible uses. Revised 6/26

A. The airport compatibility zone (ACZ) use chart supplements the district use chart (Section 20.40.010) and establishes additional land use limitations within each ACZ. The chart uses the following designations:

1. P – Permitted Use. Uses identified with a "P" in the ACZ use chart (subsection (E) of this section) are permitted within the specified airport compatibility zone, provided the use is also permitted in the underlying zoning district and complies with all applicable provisions of the Quincy Municipal Code.

2. SR – Special Review. Uses identified with an "SR" in the ACZ use chart are allowed only after undergoing special review for airport compatibility, subject to administrative approval by the Land Use Administrator pursuant to Section 17.09.010. The Land Use Administrator shall set forth, in writing, any restrictions or conditions which may include, but not be limited to, provisions for greater setbacks, reduced allowable building heights, suitable landscaping or screening, and any other reasonable restrictions, conditions, or safeguards that would uphold the spirit and intent of the zoning code and mitigate any undue adverse effect upon the neighborhood properties, the Quincy Municipal Airport, or City as a whole. In addition, the applicant shall consult with the Quincy Municipal Airport and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Aviation Division, including submittal of FAA Form 7460-1 (Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration), if applicable. Comments received by the Airport and WSDOT shall be forwarded to the Land Use Administrator for consideration prior to their review.

3. X – Prohibited Use. Uses identified with an "X" in the ACZ use chart are not permitted within the specified airport compatibility zone, regardless of whether they are allowed in the underlying zoning district.

B. Each "use category" in the ACZ use chart encompasses the specific use types listed under their respective categories in Section 20.40.010. For example, "residential uses" include single-family homes, duplexes, accessory dwelling units, etc.

C. If a conflict exists between the district use chart and the ACZ use chart, the more restrictive standard shall apply, unless express written approval is granted by the Land Use Code Administrator, based on findings that the use is consistent with airport safety, noise compatibility, and the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

D. If a use is identified as an "accessory use" (ACC), "conditional use permit" (CUP), "home occupation permit" (HOP), or "short-term rental" (STR) in the district use chart, the applicant shall obtain all applicable permits in addition to the requirements of this chapter.

E. ACZ Use Chart:

Use Category

Airport Compatibility Zones (ACZ)

 

ACZ-1

ACZ-2

ACZ-3

ACZ-4

ACZ-5

ACZ-6

Planned development

X

X

SR

SR

X

P

Residential uses

X

X

SR

SR

X

P

Special residential uses

X

X

SR

SR

X

P

Community, civic, educational, and institutional

X

X

SR

SR

X

P

Agricultural uses

P

P

P

P

P

P

Commercial uses

X

SR

SR

P

P

P

Industrial, processing, recycling, storage, and disposal uses

X

SR

SR

SR

SR

P

Hospitality, recreation, and entertainment uses

X

X

SR

SR

X

P

Utility and wireless telecommunication uses

X

SR

SR

SR

X

P

(Ord 26-653 §2 (Ex A))

20.15.060 Height limits. Revised 6/26

A. General. Applicants applying for permits within the area covered by the FAR Part 77 imaginary surfaces map must submit correspondence from both the Federal Aviation Administration and an official airport representative, confirming their concurrence that the proposed development complies with this chapter and will not pose a hazard to air navigation.

B. Imaginary Surfaces. No structure or vegetation shall be constructed, altered, maintained, or allowed to grow in a manner that penetrates the civil airport imaginary surfaces as defined by Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77. When a property is subject to more than one height limitation, the most restrictive applies. No structure may be constructed to a height that would increase FAA minimums for landing, approach, or departure procedures, unless both the airport operator and the FAA approve in writing. Such applicable height limitations are hereby established and defined by FAR Part 77:

1. Primary Surface. A surface longitudinally centered on a runway that extends two hundred feet beyond each end of that runway with a total width of two hundred fifty feet.

2. Approach Surface. A surface longitudinally centered on the extended runway centerline and extending outward and upward from each end of the primary surface. The inner edge of the approach surface is the same width as the primary surface and expands uniformly to one thousand two hundred fifty feet. The approach surface extends five thousand feet horizontally at a 20:1 slope.

3. Transitional Surface. These surfaces extend outward and upward at a 7:1 slope from the sides of the primary surface and the approach surfaces.

4. Horizontal Surface. A horizontal plane located one hundred fifty feet above the established airport elevation. The perimeter of the horizontal surface shall be constructed by swinging arcs with a five-thousand-foot radius from the center of each end of the primary surface, with adjacent arcs connected by lines tangent to those arcs.

5. Conical Surface. A surface extending outward and upward from the outer limits of the horizontal surface at a 20:1 slope for a horizontal distance of four thousand feet.

C. Exemptions. The following are exempt from the height limitations of this section:

1. Structures or vegetation shielded by existing permanent structures or by topographic features of equal or greater height.

2. Air navigation facilities, visual approach or landing aids, aircraft arresting devices, or meteorological devices approved by the FAA (or the appropriate military authority).

3. Structures necessary and incidental to airport operations.

D. Administrative Height Exceptions. The Municipal Services Director or their designee may approve height exceptions as part of a development permit; provided, that:

1. The applicant has submitted FAA Form 7460-1 and obtained a "no objection" determination from the FAA.

2. All other applicable provisions of this chapter are met.

3. One or more of the following applies:

a. The structure is shielded by adjacent structures or terrain of equal or greater height.

b. The structure is a navigation facility, landing aid, arresting device, or meteorological equipment of a type approved by the FAA. (Ord 26-653 §2 (Ex A))