14-60.005. Airport Site Approval

(1) Any proposed new airport requires an airport site approval order issued by the Florida Department of Transportation (Department). Site approval by the Department is required prior to the establishment of an operational airport.

(2) Issuance of a new airport site approval order shall be required by the Department, whenever:

(a) The Department has determined the airport site approval order to be invalid because the site approval application contained inaccurate data or misrepresentation of facts.

(b) The Department has revoked the airport site approval order.

(c) The license for an existing public airport has expired, without having a new license issued.

(d) The registration for an existing private airport has expired, without being re-certified.

(3) An application for airport site approval shall be made in the form and manner required by the Department. There are no monetary fees required for this airport site approval service.

(a) Public Airport. Public airport site approval applicants shall submit a Public Airport Site Approval Application, DOT Form 725-040-12, Rev. 02/04, incorporated by reference under Rule 14-60.011, F.A.C., along with all required supporting documentation, to the following: State Aviation Manager, Florida Department of Transportation, 605 Suwannee Street, MS #46, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0450.

(b) Private Airport. Private airport site approval applicants shall complete an interactive internet-based registration application and certify that the information is true and correct to the best of their knowledge, using a Department electronic aviation facility data system.

(c) Temporary Airport. Temporary, public or private airport site approval applicants, due to the limitations placed on their use for a period of less than 30 days and the restriction to no more than 10 operations per day, and due to a normal short lead-time prior to the necessity for activating flight operations, shall have a site approval process with each proposal evaluated by the Department based upon the application. Applicants for a temporary, public or private airport site approval should contact the Department at the earliest opportunity to present their requirements and request a site proposal review and Department approval or disapproval.

(4) Conditions for Site Approval. The Department shall grant site approval for a proposed airport that complies with all the requirements of Section 330.30, F.S., subject to any reasonable conditions necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare. Such conditions shall include operations limited to VFR flight conditions, restricted approach or takeoff direction from only one end of a runway, specified air-traffic pattern layouts to help prevent mid-air collision conflict with aircraft flying at another nearby airport, airport noise abatement procedures in order to satisfy community standards, or other environmental compatibility measures.

(5) Public Airport Site Approval. Public airport site approval applications shall be accompanied by the following supporting documentation to allow the Department to make its airport site approval determination and to ensure the applicant’s satisfaction of conditions stated in subsection 14-60.005(4), F.A.C., above:

(a) Property Rights. Provide a copy of written legal confirmation of ownership, option to buy, or lease agreement for the real property that comprises the site on which the proposed airport would be located. Although adequate safety areas surrounding an airport site are important and a factor in the Department’s approval determination, the applicant is not required to hold property rights over those real property areas that would constitute runway approach surfaces.

(b) Facility Diagram. Provide a scale drawing showing the size and dimensions of the proposed facility; property rights of way and easements; lighting, power, and telephone poles; location of building(s) on property and surrounding areas; and direction, distance, and height of all structures over 25 feet within 1,000 feet of the site perimeter.

(c) Geodetic Position. Provide a copy of a U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle map or equivalent with the proposed site plotted to the nearest second of latitude and longitude.

(d) Location Map. Provide a copy of a map or sketch, at least 8.5 x 11 inches in size, showing the location of the proposed site, with respect to recognizable landmarks and access roads to the site clearly marked.

(e) Aviation Facilities. Provide a list of names and mailing addresses for adjacent airports, including a sample copy of the letter submitted as proposal notification to these airports, and attach a copy of all airport reply correspondence.

1. For a proposed airport or seaplane landing facility, list all VFR airports and heliports within five nautical miles and all IFR airports within 20 nautical miles.

2. For a proposed heliport, list all VFR airports and heliports within three nautical miles and all IFR airports within 10 nautical miles.

(f) Local Government. Provide a copy of each of the letters of notification, showing the recipient’s name and mailing address, that have been submitted to each zoning authority having jurisdiction, for the municipality and county in which the site lies or which is located within five nautical miles of the proposed airport site. The applicant shall also include a copy of all related correspondence from each city or county authority, including a statement that the proposed airport site is in compliance with local zoning requirements or that such requirements are not applicable.

(g) Adjacent Property. Provide a list of the names and mailing addresses of all real property owners within 1,000 feet of the airport site perimeter, or within 300 feet of the heliport or helistop site perimeter, including a single copy of the letter of notification submitted as notification to these adjacent real property owners, and include a copy of all real property owner correspondence in reply. If notification was provided by a local government as part of its review and approval process for the airport, provide written confirmation of the fact, in lieu of the above required submittal by the applicant.

(h) Public Notice. Provide a copy of the notice and of the letter, showing the recipient’s name and mailing address, requesting publication of notification of the proposed airport site in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the proposed airport site is located and counties within five nautical miles of the proposed airport site. If this condition has been accomplished by a local government as part of its review and approval process for the airport, provide written confirmation of the fact, in lieu of the above required submittal by the applicant.

(i) Waste Sites. Provide written confirmation that the runway(s) on the proposed airport would not be located within 5,000 feet of any solid waste management facility for a proposed airport serving only non-turbine aircraft, or within 10,000 feet of any solid waste management facility for a proposed airport serving turbine-driven aircraft.

(j) Air Traffic Pattern. Provide written confirmation, including a graphical depiction, demonstrating that safe air traffic patterns can be established for the proposed airport with all existing and approved airport sites within three miles of the proposed airport site. Provide a copy of written memorandum(s) of understanding or letter(s) of agreement, signed by each respective party, regarding air traffic pattern separation procedures between the parties representing the proposed airport and any existing airport(s) or approved airport site(s) located within three miles of the proposed site.

(k) Safety Factors. Provide written confirmation that the runway and taxiway design criteria and airport design layout of the proposed airport have appropriately taken into account consideration of the manufacturer’s performance characteristics for the type(s) of aircraft planned to be operated; the frequency and type(s) of flight operations to be anticipated; planned aviation-related or non-aviation activities on the airport; and any other safety considerations, as necessary, to help ensure the general public health, safety, and welfare of persons located on or near the airport.

(l) Security Factors. Provide written confirmation that the proposed airport site owner or lessee will take appropriate steps to help protect the general public health, safety, and welfare through secure airport operations and that they will develop and implement adequate airport security measures to safeguard airport and aviation-related assets from misappropriation or misuse in order to prevent potential loss or public endangerment.

(m) FAA Approval. Provide a copy of the notification to the FAA regarding the proposed airport site and a copy of the FAA’s airspace approval correspondence given in response.

(6) Private Airport Site Approval. Private airport site approval applications, as stated in paragraph 14-60.005(3)(b), F.A.C., above, are subject to the same requirements for approval as stated for public airport site approval applicants in paragraphs 14-60.005(5)(a)-(m), F.A.C., above. However, private airport site approval applicants are required only to respond to interactive inquiries on the specified Department private airport website. Private airport applicants are not required to submit a hard copy, written site approval application nor supporting documentation, as required of public airports. However, all private airport site approval applicants shall retain for their records all of the required documentation related to the site approval application, in order to be able to respond to any possible future local, state, or federal inquiry.

(a) The Private Airport Registration and Site Approval website (http://www.florida-aviation-database.com/) uses a series of interactive screens to provide information and receive input from private airport owners. To begin the process, general airport site approval information is provided in narrative outline form as an overview of the process, listing requirements included in paragraphs 14-60.005(5)(a)-(m), F.A.C.

(b) In keeping with the legislative requirement for controlled electronic access to the state aviation database, the Department’s site uses a “User ID” and “Password” system. New users will be required to “Create an Account” online by providing essential information: name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. The website will respond providing an initial “User ID” and “Password” for the user to complete the site approval process.

(c) The airport site approval screen asks the user to input data related to type of facility (airport, heliport, or ultralight); proponent information (name, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address); facility data (facility name, physical location, geographical location – latitude, longitude, and elevation, and primary type of facility use); and landing area data (runway/helipad magnetic bearing, length, width, and type of surface – paved/unpaved).

(d) The user certifies the accuracy of the information and data entered on the screen and submits the information to the Department.

(e) Approval or denial of the airport site approval application is issued by the Department via e-mail to the applicant’s e-mail address, along with an airport site approval order, if granted.

(7) Department Site Approval Process. The Department process for determining the approval or disapproval of an airport site application will vary by type of airport proposed, as follows:

(a) Department Process for Public Airports. The Department shall conduct a review and detailed audit, as necessary, of the submitted airport site approval application and all required supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness. Failure of the applicant to provide a complete application by the conclusion of this period shall result in the Department returning the application to the applicant without action. Site approval shall be granted for public airports only after the Department determines the conditions of subsection 14-60.005(4), F.A.C., above, are satisfied and only after favorable completion of a physical inspection of the proposed public airport site by Department authorized personnel.

1. Following issuance of the public airport site approval order, the Department shall place an announcement in the Florida Administrative Register. In order to allow for required administrative processing and publishing lead times, 45 days shall be allowed from the date of issuance until the effective date of the public airport site approval order.

2. From the date of publication of the Florida Administrative Register containing the public airport site approval order announcement, 21 days shall be allowed for the public to petition the Department for an administrative hearing pursuant to Section 120.57(1), F.S.

a. If a petition for administrative hearing is not filed, the public airport site approval order shall take effect 45 days after the date of its issuance.

b. If a petition for administrative hearing is filed, the public site approval order shall not take effect 45 days after the date of its issuance, but shall be held in abeyance pending the outcome of the administrative hearing. The Department will provide notification to the applicant stating that a petition has been filed and that the public airport site approval order effective date is pending the outcome of the administrative hearing.

3. Any public airport limited exclusively to the specific, reasonable conditions stated on its site approval order imposed by the Department to protect public health, safety, or welfare, shall be designated a “Limited Airport.”

(b) Department Process for Private Airports. The Department shall conduct a review and detailed audit, as necessary, of the private airport site application information, submitted via the specified electronic internet-based website. Incomplete information will preclude the Department from further processing and the applicant will be notified of application deficiencies. Site approval shall be granted for private airports only after the requirements of subsection 14-60.005(4), F.A.C., above, have been met. Physical inspection of the private airport site is not required.

1. The Department shall place an announcement in the Florida Administrative Register of the issuance of the private airport site approval order.

2. From the date of publication of the Florida Administrative Register containing the private airport site approval order announcement, 21 days shall be allowed to petition the Department for an administrative hearing pursuant to Chapter 120, F.S.

a. If a petition for administrative hearing is not filed, the private airport site approval order shall take effect 45 days after the date of its issuance.

b. If a petition for administrative hearing is filed, the private airport site approval order shall not take effect but shall be held in abeyance pending the outcome of the administrative hearing. The Department will provide notification to the applicant stating that a petition has been filed and that the private airport site approval order effective date is pending the outcome of the administrative hearing.

3.  Any private airport limited exclusively to the specific, reasonable conditions stated on its site approval order imposed by the Department to protect public health, safety, or welfare, shall be designated a “Limited Airport.”

(c) Department Process for Temporary Airports. The Department shall conduct a review and detailed audit, as necessary, of the information submitted by temporary, public or private airport applicants. Site approval shall be granted for temporary airports only after the requirements of subsection 14-60.005(4), F.A.C., above, have been met. Physical inspection of the site is not required. Additionally, due to the short lead time and duration, as well as urgent requirements often related to a temporary airport the Department will not publish announcement for public review and comment regarding its issuance of a temporary airport site approval order. Temporary airport site approval orders shall take effect concurrent with the date of issuance.

(8) Airport Site Approval Order.

(a) Issuance. The Department approval of a proposed public or private airport site shall be documented by issuance of an airport site approval order, which shall remain valid for a period of two years from its effective date and which can be extended for subsequent periods of two years, provided conditions for site approval that led to the initial approval of the site have not changed to a degree that would cause the Department to now deny a site approval. Special conditions imposed on the site approval order must be satisfied prior to airport licensing or registration.

(b) Revocation. The Department shall revoke a site approval order, if it determines:

1. That the site has been abandoned as an airport site.

2. That the site has not been developed as an airport within two years of the issuance of the site approval, unless revoked by the Department prior to expiration or development does not comply with conditions of the site approval.

3. That aircraft have operated on the site prior to airport licensing or registration, except as required for an in-flight emergency.

4. That the site is no longer usable for aviation purposes due to physical or legal changes in conditions that were the subject of the approval granted.

Rulemaking Authority 330.29(4), 334.044(2) FS. Law Implemented 330.29, 330.30, 333.03(2), 330.39 FS. History–New 10-29-65, Amended 7-13-71, Revised 11-23-72, Amended 7-18-73, 4-18-76, 11-19-81, 1-8-85, Formerly 14-60.05, Amended 12-26-95, 2-11-97, 10-10-04.