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HELICOPTERS

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland pt. FOUR, tit. XIII, ch. 489
in effect

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 489.01 Definitions

§ 489.01 Definitions As used in this chapter, certain words and terms are defined as follows: (a) "Helicopter" means any airborne vehicle used for the transportation of personnel or material whose support in flight is derived from a vertical lift or force produced by the mechanical rotation of an airfoil or wing about an approximately vertical axis. (b) "Landing area" means that approved location designated by the Director of Public Safety, or his or her designee, on which and from which a helicopter is permitted to land and/or take off. (Ord. No. 564-15. Passed 6-1-15, eff. 6-2-15)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 489.02 Takeoff and Landing

§ 489.02 Takeoff and Landing (a) No person shall land or take off a helicopter anywhere in the City other than at an approved airport or heliport landing area, except in the case of an emergency. (b) The Director of Public Safety, or his or her designee, may approve the landing or take off of a helicopter at an area other than an approved airport or heliport landing area, on an individual basis, in cases of emergency, public ceremony, public necessity, or other good cause shown. (Ord. No. 564-15. Passed 6-1-15, eff. 6-2-15)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 489.03 Landing Area Specifications

§ 489.03 Landing Area Specifications Every landing area shall have a hard-surfaced or grassed area, shall be provided with good drainage and shall be free of dust, gravel or other loose material. It shall be not less in length, width or diameter than twice the overall length of any helicopter landing or taking off. In no instance shall this area be smaller than one hundred fifty (150) feet in diameter or in length of the shortest dimension of a rectangular area. This area shall be free of trees, wires, or other obstructions. A rooftop shall not be permitted as a landing area. (Ord. No. 564-15. Passed 6-1-15, eff. 6-2-15)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 489.04 Permit Required

§ 489.04 Permit Required No person shall land a helicopter under division (b) of Section 489.02, except in cases of mechanical emergency, without first obtaining a permit. Terms of the permit, including but not limited to required presence of fire and police personnel and the permissible amount of time a helicopter may remain on site, shall be at the complete discretion of the Director of Public Safety, or his or her designee. A pilot seeking issuance of a helicopter permit shall file an application with the Director of Public Safety on a form provided by the Director. Such application form shall require, but not be limited to, the following information: (a) Name and address of the pilot applying for a permit; (b) Name and address of the organization on behalf of whom the permit is requested; (c) Name and address of the property owner; (d) Date of landing, time of landing, and time of takeoff; (e) Type of helicopter; (f) Number of passengers; and (g) A diagrammed site survey indicating all potential obstacles in close proximity to the landing areas. (Ord. No. 564-15. Passed 6-1-15, eff. 6-2-15)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 489.05 Fees

§ 489.05 Fees (a) The Director of Public Safety is authorized to charge and collect fees for takeoff and landing permits issued under this Chapter. The takeoff and landing permit fee shall be in an amount fixed by the Board of Control. (b) When the Director of Public Safety determines it is necessary for the safety and welfare of citizens that safety personnel be present at any takeoff or landing made under a permit issued pursuant to this chapter, the Director of Public Safety may charge and collect fees for the presence of the safety personnel, separate from the cost of the permit. A fee schedule for safety personnel deployed under this section shall be established by the Board of Control, and updated from time-to-time as necessary. (Ord. No. 564-15. Passed 6-1-15, eff. 6-2-15)

Codified Ordinances of Cleveland § 489.06 Exclusions

§ 489.06 Exclusions This chapter shall not apply to life flight operations (HEMS) or helicopter flights of the Cleveland Division of Police. (Ord. No. 564-15. Passed 6-1-15, eff. 6-2-15)
Source: City of Cleveland, Ohio, Codified Ordinances and City Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cleveland/latest/cleveland_oh/0-0-0-42054Fetched: 11/1/2026

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