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COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY

San Antonio City Code ch. 3, art. II, div. 7
in effect

San Antonio City Code § 3-136 Approval of director prerequisite to business activity.

Sec. 3-136. - Approval of director prerequisite to business activity. No person shall engage in any business or commercial activity of any nature whatsoever on the airport except with the prior written approval of the director, and under such terms and conditions as may be set forth in a permit issued by or a contract executed with the city, and in accordance with Division 10 of these rules and regulations. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-137 Commercial photography, film, and recordings.

Sec. 3-137. - Commercial photography, film, and recordings. No person, except representatives of the news media on duty or during official assignments, shall take still, motion, television, or sound pictures for commercial purposes on the airport without the express written consent of the director. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-138 Insurance requirements.

Sec. 3-138. - Insurance requirements. Anyone conducting a business or enterprise upon the airport must obtain insurance of such types and in such amounts as may be determined from time to time by the director. Insurance requirements may vary among different types of service providers and may be periodically adjusted to ensure that the city, airport passengers, and the interests of the public are adequately protected. Such insurance shall be issued by a company authorized to do business in the state and presented in a form and content acceptable to the director. Such insurance shall contain a statement naming the city as an additional insured. All such insurance policies shall provide for minimum of thirty (30) days' notice to the city prior to cancellation. The city shall have no duty to issue lease agreements or permits, or to pay or perform under contract until evidence of adequate insurance shall have been delivered to the city. All businesses shall be prohibited from commencing work until the proper notification of insurance has been delivered to the city. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-139 Rates for parking and storage of aircraft.

Sec. 3-139. - Rates for parking and storage of aircraft. Rates for parking and storage of aircraft are based on the certificated maximum gross landing weight of aircraft. Rates may be periodically adjusted as allowed by city council. Charts of the most current rates may be obtained upon request and are set forth in Division 10 of these rules and regulations. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-140 City gate policy.

Sec. 3-140. - City gate policy. The director is authorized to issue city gate permits to air transportation companies and ground handling companies for temporary access to airport terminal facilities to offload and board passengers at San Antonio International Airport. The permit and policy procedures for the use of city gates shall be as authorized by city council from time to time. (1) City gate facilities shall include those facilities necessary for the servicing of passengers, such as gates, loading bridges, and holdrooms that are not leased to an airline on an exclusive or preferential basis. (2) City gate fees shall be assessed in accordance with the rates and charges paid by signatory airlines under the effective airline-airport use and lease agreement. In the absence of an effective airline-airport use and lease agreement, the city gate fee shall be determined by the approved rates and charges ordinance. (3) City gate fees shall be assessed on an hourly basis with half-hour increments after the initial hour. This fee will be assessed from the time the aircraft parks at the gate until the time the aircraft pushes back from the gate. (4) A departure or offloading of passengers shall be a requirement for city gate fees to accrue. All overnight parking at city gate(s) shall be billed in accordance with the rates for parking and storage of aircraft under section 3-178. City gate fees may also be applicable based on usage of the city gate facilities. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-141 Express use of facilities.

Sec. 3-141. - Express use of facilities. (a) The security of all pedestrian and vehicular gates, building doors, access ramps, fences, walls, and other access points that lead from a tenant, lessee, or contractor area to or from the AOA or any other restricted area on the airport shall be the responsibility of the tenant, lessee, or contractor whose controlled area abuts the AOA. (b) All leaseholds, improvements, and real and personal property on airport property are expressly for the conduct of the owner's or lessee's business and operations. No person other than employees or licensees of the owner or lessee shall make use of these facilities or loiter around such premises without specific permission of the owner or lessee. (d) No tenant shall decorate any public view area to celebrate, commemorate or support any cause, event or holiday without a prior request to and written authorization from the director. Such request shall be made, at a minimum, 10 (ten) business days prior to the event and should include a detailed description of decorations and their placement. (e) No tenant shall erect drawings, pictures or non-professional signs in the public view area without prior approval from the director. (f) Tenant is permitted to hold fundraisers within its exclusive area as long as it is out of the public view. Fundraisers must be geared towards tenant's employees and should not include distribution of flyers or emails to other tenants/customers throughout the airport without approval from the director. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-142 Changes by tenant.

Sec. 3-142. - Changes by tenant. (a) No tenants or lessees will be permitted to effect structural changes, additions or decorative changes, including signs or displays of any type, or repairs to any city-owned buildings without prior written permission of the director. Additionally, no tenant or lessees shall be permitted to effect changes to any existing non-city owned facility located on airport property, construct a new facility on airport property, or complete surveying work on airport property without prior written permission from the director. The tenant or lessee shall furnish any and all documentation regarding the proposed changes or construction, in a quantity specified by the director, to the director for his or her review and approval. (b) Airport security division must be notified prior to any changes to a tenant's legal name on lease agreements, including assignments and assumptions. Airport security division must also be notified prior to any alternations and activities by tenants that impact the layout or physical structure of the AOA, SIDA, secured area or sterile area. The aforementioned division will determine if TSA notification is required; if so, TSA requires forty-five (45) days of notice to any changes in the form of a change or condition, temporary or permanent amendment to the security plan of the San Antonio International Airport. No alterations or activities will be permitted until TSA written approval has been received. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15; Ord. No. 2018-04-12-0266, § 1(Att. 1), 4-12-18)

San Antonio City Code § 3-143 Integrity of leased premises.

Sec. 3-143. - Integrity of leased premises. All tenants or lessees shall observe the graphic boundaries associated with and assigned to each lease agreement as being absolute and shall not encroach on adjacent areas by locating vehicles, aircraft, or equipment on or in such a manner as to have any portion extending onto or over adjacent property. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-144 Utility payments.

Sec. 3-144. - Utility payments. Every tenant shall provide a meter for the purpose of accurately measuring gas, water, and electrical power used by the tenant, or shall pay a flat fee for these utilities as prescribed by the director, except as may be provided for in individual leases. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-145 Aircraft, vehicles, equipment or parts left on the airport.

Sec. 3-145. - Aircraft, vehicles, equipment or parts left on the airport. (a) No tenant or lessee shall park or store a disabled or inoperable aircraft, vehicle, or piece of equipment in any area outside their leasehold without the approval of the director. Any disabled or inoperable vehicle or piece of equipment that is stored or parked within a tenant or lessee's leasehold for more than ninety (90) days may be deemed derelict and subject to removal at the owner's expense as described in section 3-145 paragraph (c). (b) No person shall park or store any vehicle in an airport parking facility, in a parking facility under the control of an airport tenant of the city, or other area authorized for parking, that is unattended or inoperable for a period of sixty (60) days or more without a written permit from the aviation department or its authorized agent. Vehicles left unattended shall be presumed to have been abandoned and may be considered and treated as such. (c) Upon notification and demand by the director, either orally or in writing, to the owner or operator of any derelict, disabled, inoperable, or abandoned vehicle, aircraft, or piece of equipment or parts of such left on the airport, it shall be the duty of the owner or operator to remove the same at his/her own expense. If, after such demand, the owner or operator fails or refuses to remove such property within a reasonable time as determined by the director under the circumstances and conditions created by the presence of such property, the director may cause the same to be impounded and/or stored. The cost of such removal, impound, storage, and any parking fees due at the time of removal shall be a charge against the owner or operator of such property; and upon the payment of the charge, the property shall be released and possession shall be restored to the owner or operator. If the owner cannot be determined, the city shall have the right to dispose of the property by sale or otherwise and to keep the proceeds therefrom. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-146 Construction or repair.

Sec. 3-146. - Construction or repair. (a) Prior approval shall be obtained from the director before any survey, repair, or construction activity of any kind is commenced on any city-owned property at the airport. This shall include utility connections, paving, excavations, and removal of soil or fill material or other improvement to land on the airport. (b) Prior to the commencement of any construction, an airspace study on FAA Form 7460-1 shall be completed except for construction within an existing structure. (c) In the event construction equipment will be used which is higher than the structure being erected under a granted permit, the operator of the equipment must notify the aviation department, keep the equipment in a lowered position to the maximum extent possible, and install appropriate hazard marking and/or lighting on the top extremity of the equipment. (d) All necessary city permits and licenses shall be obtained prior to performing any construction or repairs. (e) Any repair or deficiency that is the responsibility of the aviation department to correct may be reported to the aviation department through the feedback page on the aviation department's website. (f) In order to comply with TSA regulations, airport security must be notified prior to tenants initiating any alterations and activities that impact the layout or physical structure of the AOA, SIDA, secured area or sterile area. Airport security will determine if TSA notification is required; if so, TSA requires a 45-day notice in advance of any work commencing through a change of condition, temporary amendment or permanent amendment form. No alterations or activities will be permitted until airport security receives written approval from TSA. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15; Ord. No. 2018-04-12-0266, § 1(Att. 1), 4-12-18)

San Antonio City Code § 3-147 Nonconcessionaire rental car business permit.

Sec. 3-147. - Nonconcessionaire rental car business permit. (a) The director is authorized to grant nonexclusive user permits substantially in the same form as the San Antonio International Airport nonconcessionaire rental car business permit previously approved by ordinance. Said permit grants permission and access to the airport by nonconcessionaire rental car businesses using San Antonio International Airport or Stinson Municipal Airport in exchange for payment of a permit fee and the collection and remittance of customer facility charges. (b) The permit authorizes nonconcessionaire rental car businesses to access and use the airport for loading and unloading of airport patrons at designated locations. (c) The user fee, consistent with city ordinance, is based upon the benefits derived by nonconcessionaire rental car businesses by their use of San Antonio International Airport. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15; Ord. No. 2018-04-12-0266, § 1(Att. 1), 4-12-18)

San Antonio City Code § 3-148 Aircraft for hire.

Sec. 3-148. - Aircraft for hire. Operators of aircraft used for hire or other commercial purposes are required to have appropriate insurance and permits, and shall pay such landing fees and/or fuel flowage as required by ordinance or contract. No person in any aircraft shall discharge or allow to be discharged from the aircraft any object within the city limits except when absolutely essential to the safety of the occupants of the aircraft. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-149 Mobile food vending permits.

Sec. 3-149. - Mobile food vending permits. Consistent with city ordinance, the director may issue mobile food vending permits to persons or businesses seeking to do business at the airport and who have obtained the required permits from all applicable regulatory entities. The director may impose other permit requirements to ensure the proper operation of airport facilities. The issued permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place in public view and in accordance with division 10 of these rules and regulations. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-150 Prohibition against the recording of aircraft registration information.

Sec. 3-150. - Prohibition against the recording of aircraft registration information. The recording of any aircraft registration information by persons or tenants other than those servicing or handling said aircraft is expressly prohibited without the written permission of the aircraft owner, operator, or his/her designee. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-151 Rate-setting for leases.

Sec. 3-151. - Rate-setting for leases. (a) The initial rental rate for leases of city owned buildings and structures shall be established at ten (10) percent of the fair market value of the property in accordance with the procedures below. (1) Fair market value shall be determined by appraisal of the fee simple interest in the subject property, according to its highest and best use. Ground and building appraised values shall be listed individually in the final appraisal. (2) The appraisal must be performed by a real estate appraiser licensed in the state. (3) The director shall select the appraiser (city's appraisal) and the cost shall be equally shared by the aviation department and lessee. (b) Ground rental rates shall be assessed through a ground rental rate study which will be updated approximately every eighteen (18) months. (c) To dispute city's appraisal, lessee must: (1) Certify in writing to the director that it does not agree with city's appraisal within ten (10) business days of receiving written notification of city's appraisal and corresponding rental rates. (2) Appoint a recognized, qualified and impartial MAI (member of the appraisal institute) or equivalent appraiser (hereinafter, "lessee's appraiser") with prior airport experience and causing the performance of an appraisal for the subject property to be completed within ninety (90) days of receiving notice of city's appraisal. (3) The lessee shall bear the costs of the appraisal performed by lessee's appraiser and deliver a copy of said appraisal to the director, at no cost to the city. (d) To arrive at a final appraisal after a dispute by the lessee in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, the city and lessee shall jointly appoint a third appraiser to conduct an appraisal of the subject property. (1) The third appraisal shall control the initial rate setting for the contemplated lease. (2) The cost of the appraisal shall be borne fifty (50) percent by lessee and fifty (50) percent by city. (e) All appraisals performed pursuant to this section shall be based on fee simple ownership. (f) This section shall not apply to the lease of property located within the terminals, aprons, taxiways, or runways of San Antonio International Airport; to the ground rental rates for Stinson Municipal Airport unless otherwise approved by ordinance; or where leasing at market value rates is prohibited by FAA. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-152 Planting of vegetation.

Sec. 3-152. - Planting of vegetation. No vegetation shall be planted on airport property unless approved by the director. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)

San Antonio City Code § 3-153 Drop off/pick-up locations and parking

Sec. 3-153. - Drop off/pick-up locations and parking (a) The director reserves the right to designate locations for drop-off, pick-up, and parking of commercial vehicles as demanded by traffic needs, construction, or other safety concerns. (b) Commercial vehicles dropping at the San Antonio International Airport terminal roadside may not stop in the outer two lanes to drop off passengers. They shall use the designated areas as determined by the director and/or wait until space is available on an inner curb. (c) Commercial vehicles picking-up passengers must do so in the area(s) designated for the purpose either as marked or communicated by airport staff. Commercial vehicles must also pay applicable ground transportation fees per city ordinance. (d) Commercial vehicles may not stop, stand, or park in any undesignated area on airport property including public facilities, roads, or curbsides on airport property such as the cell phone lot, any unused parking areas or cul-de-sacs, or bus cut-out areas. (Ord. No. 2015-04-09-0289, 1(Att. I), 4-9-15)
Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH3AI_ARTIISAANINAISTMUAIRURE_DIV7COACFetched: 10/27/2026

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