AF: Airfield Overlay District Requirements for Mesa, Arizona
The Mesa Airfield Overlay District regulates land use and construction in proximity to the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and Mesa-Falcon Field Airport to ensure public safety and minimize the impact of aircraft operations. Within this district, new developments must provide mandatory noise attenuation to reduce indoor noise levels to 45 decibels, grant avigation easements to the City of Mesa, and adhere to strict use prohibitions in designated high-noise and hazard zones.
Purpose and Intent
The City of Mesa established the Airfield (AF) Overlay District to recognize and mitigate hazards associated with aircraft operations. The primary goals are to promote public health and safety, designate permitted land uses in overflight areas, require noise attenuation in new construction, and prevent the creation of obstructions to navigable airspace in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards [Section 11-19-1].
District Sub-Areas and Definitions
The Airfield Overlay District in the City of Mesa is divided into four distinct sub-areas based on noise contours and safety zones. These areas are mapped on the official Mesa Airport Overflight maps (Map AF-1 and Map AF-2) [Section 11-19-2].
| Sub-Area | Technical Definition | Primary Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) | Area designated by the City of Mesa to minimize public exposure to accident hazards and crash potential. | No new buildings permitted. |
| Airport Overflight Area One (AOA 1) | The area within the 65 DNL (Day-Night Level) noise contour. | Highest level of use restrictions and noise attenuation requirements. |
| Airport Overflight Area Two (AOA 2) | The area between the 60 and 65 DNL noise contours, including a "squared off" half-mile buffer. | Moderate use restrictions; noise attenuation required. |
| Airport Overflight Area Three (AOA 3) | The area outside the 60 DNL contour as defined by the overflight maps. | No specific use limitations beyond the underlying base district. |
Land Use Regulations
Land use permissions within the Airfield Overlay District depend on the sub-area and the underlying base zoning. The City of Mesa applies specific limitations to "noise-sensitive uses," which include residential housing, schools, hospitals, places of worship, libraries, and day care centers [Section 11-19-3].
Runway Protection Zones (RPZ)
In order to minimize hazard risks, the City of Mesa prohibits all buildings within any portion of an RPZ. However, the following on-site improvements are permitted, provided they do not penetrate the designated runway protection zone slope or approach surface:
- Vehicle parking.
- Stormwater retention.
- Landscaping.
- Required yard setbacks [Section 11-19-4].
Overflight Area One and Two (AOA 1 and AOA 2)
The City of Mesa imposes strict limitations on residential and semi-public uses in these areas to prevent the establishment of high-density populations in noise-impacted zones. Prohibited or limited uses in AOA 1 and AOA 2 across various base zones (Agricultural, Residential, Commercial, Employment, and Public) include:
- AOA 1 (Highest Restriction): Most noise-sensitive uses like single residences, schools, hospitals, and day care centers are strictly prohibited [Tables 11-4-2, 11-5-2, 11-6-2].
- AOA 2 (Moderate Restriction): Some uses may be permitted with the approval of a Council Use Permit (CUP), provided the location meets specific safety criteria [Section 11-10-2].
Technical and Supplementary Standards
Noise Level Reduction (NLR)
The City of Mesa requires that all buildings designed for habitation (residential units, hospitals, schools, etc.) within the Airfield Overlay District be constructed to achieve a maximum indoor noise level of 45 decibels (dB). Prior to the issuance of a building permit, a registered Professional Engineer or Architect in the State of Arizona must certify that the plans include noise attenuation measures sufficient to meet this standard. This excludes areas like plazas, courtyards, and loading bays [Section 11-19-5].
Avigation Easements
Property owners within the Airfield Overlay District must grant an avigation easement to the City of Mesa. This easement acknowledges that the property will be subject to aircraft overflights and holds the City and the Airports harmless from damages caused by aircraft noise, vibrations, or fumes. This easement must be recorded before any building permit or subdivision final plat is issued [Section 11-19-5].
Public Disclosure and Notification
The City of Mesa mandates that the presence of the Airfield Overlay District be disclosed to potential property buyers.
- Buyer Notification: No person may sell or offer for sale any property within the district without notifying the prospective buyer that the property will experience aircraft overflights [Section 11-19-5].
- Sales and Leasing Offices: Real estate offices within an overflight area must display a sign at least 4-foot by 4-foot at their entrance disclosing the overflight area status [Section 11-19-5].
Operational Hazards
Mesa prohibits any use within the Airfield Overlay District that could:
- Obstruct navigable airspace.
- Interfere with navigational signals.
- Impair visibility in the vicinity of the airport.
- Create bird strike hazards (e.g., certain open water features) [Section 11-19-5].
Sections Cited
- Section 11-19-1: Purpose and Intent
- Section 11-19-2: Runway Protection Zones and Airport Overflight Areas
- Section 11-19-3: Definitions Specific to Airfield Overlay Districts
- Section 11-19-4: Land Use Regulations
- Section 11-19-5: Supplementary Provisions
- Table 11-4-2: Agricultural District Land Use Regulations
- Table 11-5-2: Residential Districts Land Use Regulations
- Table 11-6-2: Commercial Districts Land Use Regulations
- Table 11-7-2: Employment Districts Land Use Regulations
- Table 11-10-2: Public and Semi-Public District Land Use Regulations