AF: Airport Flight Path Overlay District Requirements
The AF: Airport Flight Path overlay district in the City of Reno is established to protect public health and safety by reducing the risk of injury and property damage in areas surrounding the Reno-Tahoe International and Reno-Stead Airports. This district strictly prohibits all residential land uses and imposes significant limitations on nonresidential uses that result in high population concentrations or interfere with aircraft navigation [Section 18.02.602(a)(1)].
Applicability and Purpose
The AF: Airport Flight Path overlay district applies to all new construction and the expansion of existing buildings located within designated airport critical areas for both the Reno-Tahoe International and Reno-Stead Airports [Section 18.02.602(a)(2)]. The City of Reno utilizes this overlay to ensure that land development does not compromise the safety of airport operations or the welfare of the public on the ground.
Building Height and Review Standards
The City of Reno requires specialized review for structures within the AF: Airport Flight Path overlay district that exceed specific height thresholds. Applicants must coordinate with the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority to ensure compliance with federal airspace regulations.
AF District Height Review Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Review Trigger Height | Any structure or expansion exceeding 45 feet above ground level [Section 18.02.602(a)(3)]. |
| Required Mapping | Must be located within the Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 77 Airspace map [Section 18.02.602(a)(3)]. |
| Coordination Requirement | Documentation must be provided showing plans were submitted to the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority prior to City of Reno approval or building permit issuance [Section 18.02.602(a)(3)]. |
Prohibited Land Uses
To mitigate the risk associated with aircraft flight paths, the City of Reno prohibits several types of development within the AF: Airport Flight Path overlay district. These prohibitions focus on residential uses, sensitive institutional uses, and activities that could create hazards for pilots.
Prohibited Uses in the AF Overlay District
| Use Category | Prohibited Activities |
|---|---|
| Residential | All residential land uses, including temporary residences for overnight stays (e.g., hotels, motels, homeless shelters, and custodial institutions) [Section 18.02.602(a)(4)]. |
| Institutional/Civic | Primary and secondary schools, hospitals (acute and overnight care), childcare facilities, and religious assemblies [Section 18.02.602(a)(4)]. |
| High-Occupancy | Any nonresidential use resulting in a population concentration exceeding 25 persons per acre per hour (over a 24-hour period) or 50 persons per acre (for more than two hours) [Section 18.02.602(a)(4)]. |
| Recreation | Sports arenas, stadiums, tracks, banquet halls, and indoor or outdoor amusement/recreation facilities [Section 18.02.602(a)(4)]. |
| Hazardous/Industrial | Rifle ranges, above-ground bulk tank storage of flammable or toxic gases/liquids, gas stations, and electric power plants or substations [Section 18.02.602(a)(4)]. |
| Navigation Hazards | Uses or building materials that reflect sunlight toward aircraft; uses that attract large concentrations of birds; and systems that generate electrical interference with aircraft instrumentation [Section 18.02.602(a)(4)]. |
Operational and Density Requirements
For nonresidential uses allowed in the AF: Airport Flight Path overlay district, the City of Reno requires specific population density calculations to be submitted in writing with the development permit application. These calculations must be attached to the business license and must define individual "dwell time" based on minutes per hour to ensure the site does not exceed occupancy thresholds [Section 18.02.602(a)(4)].
Sections Cited
- Section 18.02.602(a), Airport Flight Path (AF) Overlay District
- Section 18.02.602(a)(1), Purpose
- Section 18.02.602(a)(2), Applicability
- Section 18.02.602(a)(3), Building Height Review in Vicinity of Airports
- Section 18.02.602(a)(4), Prohibited Uses