Fort Worth City Code § 3-226 TITLE.
§ 3-226 TITLE.
This division shall be known and may be cited as the “Airport Zoning Ordinance of the Meacham Field Airport.”
(Ord. 101, § I, passed 7-22-1974)
MEACHAM FIELD
Fort Worth City Code ch. 3, art. VI, div. 3
in effectFort Worth City Code § 3-227 DEFINITIONS.
§ 3-227 DEFINITIONS.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES. Those agencies which have the responsibility for the administration and enforcement of this division.
AIRPORT. The Meacham Field Municipal Airport, located in Tarrant County, Texas.
AIRPORT ELEVATION. The established elevation of the highest point on the usable landing area, such elevation being 710 feet above mean sea level.
AIRPORT HAZARD. Any structure, tree, installation, electronic and/or visual interference, or use of land or water which obstructs the airspace required for the flight of aircraft in landing or taking off at the airport or is otherwise hazardous to such landing or taking off of aircraft.
AIRPORT HAZARD AREA. Any area of land or water upon which an airport hazard might be established if not prevented as provided in this division.
AIRPORT ZONE. The space between the earth’s surface and the imaginary surfaces as established in § 3-229.
AIRPORT ZONING COMMISSION. The commission appointed by the joint airport zoning board to make a preliminary report, hold public hearings thereon and make a final report and recommendation to the board.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. A board consisting of five members appointed by the joint airport zoning board as provided by Tex. Transportation Code Ch. 22.
HEIGHT. For the purpose of determining the height limits in all zones set forth in this division and shown on the zoning map, the datum shall be measured in feet above mean sea level elevation unless otherwise specified.
INSTALLATION. Any electronic or visual interference that is not included within the definition of structure or tree.
JOINT AIRPORT ZONING BOARD. A board having as members two representatives appointed by each political subdivision participating in its creation and in addition a chairperson elected by a majority of the members so appointed.
NONCONFORMING USE. Any structure, tree or use of land which is lawfully in existence at the time the regulation prescribed in this division or any amendment thereto becomes effective and which does not meet the requirements of such regulation.
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. Any municipality, city, town, village or county.
RUNWAY. The surface of an airport designated for the landing and taking off of aircraft.
STRUCTURE. An object permanently or temporarily constructed or installed by humans, including, but without limitation, buildings, towers, smokestacks and overhead transmission lines.
TREE. Any object of natural growth.
ZONING MAP. “The Zoning Map for Meacham Field Municipal Airport, City of Fort Worth, Texas.”
(Ord. 101, § II, passed 7-22-1974)
Cross-reference:
Definitions and rules of construction generally, see § 1-2
Fort Worth City Code § 3-228 INCORPORATION OF ZONING MAP.
§ 3-228 INCORPORATION OF ZONING MAP.
The zoning map for the airport, Carter and Burgess, Inc., Engineers-Planners, dated June, 1970, revised April, 1972, same being marked as Exhibit “A,” is hereby incorporated in this division and attached to this division for all purposes incident to the administration concerning and enforcement of this division.
(Ord. 101, § III, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-229 IMAGINARY SURFACES.
§ 3-229 IMAGINARY SURFACES.
(a) The following imaginary surfaces are established to implement the provisions of this division.
(b) The dimensions, elevations above mean sea level, slopes and radii applicable to the imaginary surfaces shall be as shown on the zoning map.
(1) Primary surface. A surface longitudinally centered on a runway, and extending beyond the ends of the runway. The elevation of any point on the primary surface is the same as the elevation of the nearest point on the runway centerline.
(2) Horizontal surface. A horizontal plane surface 150 feet above the established airport elevation, the perimeter of which is constructed by swinging arcs of specified radii from the center of each end of the primary surface of each runway and connecting the adjacent arcs by lines tangent to those arcs.
(3) Conical surface. A surface extending outward and upward from the entire perimeter of the horizontal surface at a specified slope and for a specified distance.
(4) Approach surface. A surface longitudinally centered on the extended runway centerline and extending outward and upward from each end of the primary surface for a specified distance at a specified slope, and expands its horizontal dimension uniformly to a specified width.
(5) Transitional surface. A surface extending outward and upward at right angles to the runway centerline and the runway centerline extended at a specified slope from the sides of the primary surface and from the sides of the approach surfaces. Transitional surfaces for those portions of the conical surfaces extend a specified distance measured horizontally from the edge of the approach surface and at right angles to the runway centerline.
(Ord. 101, § IV, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-230 HEIGHT LIMITATIONS.
§ 3-230 HEIGHT LIMITATIONS.
Except as otherwise may be provided in this division, no structure, tree or installation shall be erected, altered, allowed to grow or be maintained within the airport hazard area which will be above the imaginary surfaces as established by and shown on the zoning map.
(Ord. 101, § V, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-231 USE RESTRICTIONS.
§ 3-231 USE RESTRICTIONS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, no use may be made of land or water nor installation placed on land or water within the airport hazard area that will create interference with radio communication between the airport and aircraft; or that will create interference with any air navigation facility, airport visual approach or landing aid, aircraft arresting device or meteorological device; or that will result in glare in the eyes of flyers using the airport; or that will impair visibility in the vicinity of the airport, attract birds or that will otherwise endanger the landing, taking off or maneuvering of aircraft operating through the facilities of the airport. No other airport or landing field shall be constructed within the airport hazard area; nor shall any area of land or water within the airport hazard area be used for landing and taking off of aircraft, except under specific Federal Aviation Administration approval unless the same has been issued a valid nonconforming use permit. Structures, trees, installations or land uses lawfully existing prior to the effective date of this division which do not conform to the requirements of this division shall be considered as legal nonconforming uses. This division shall not be construed to require the removal, lowering, change or alteration of any legal nonconforming use, structure, tree or installation. A permit shall be required for a legal nonconforming use and shall be issued on application of the owner or agent accompanied by affidavit that the use, structure, tree or installation was in existence on the effective date of this division. Applications for permits for nonconforming uses shall be made within 180 days from the effective date of this division.
(Ord. 101, § VI, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-232 PERMITS REQUIRED.
§ 3-232 PERMITS REQUIRED.
Before any new structure or use which could be defined as an airport hazard under this division may be constructed or established and before any such existing use or structure may be increased in height or otherwise altered, a permit to do so must be secured by the owner involved or his or her agent. All permit applications shall be made to the administrative agency having jurisdiction, or their designated representatives under § 3-236. If any administrative agency issues a permit erroneously allowing the beginning of erection of any structure or tree, such permit shall not constitute a variance or be construed in any manner to allow any person to penetrate the imaginary surfaces established. It will remain incumbent on the sponsor, builder, property owner or their agents, as the case may be, to prevent the creation of any object or use that will cause an airport hazard within the meaning of this division.
(Ord. 101, § VIII, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-233 DIVISION NOT RELIEVE OWNER, ETC., OF DUTY TO GIVE NOTICE TO FAA.
§ 3-233 DIVISION NOT RELIEVE OWNER, ETC., OF DUTY TO GIVE NOTICE TO FAA.
Nothing in this division shall be construed as relieving any owner, sponsor, agent or user from the requirement for filing a notice of proposed construction, alteration or use with the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration authority.
(Ord. 101, § IX, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-234 VARIANCES.
§ 3-234 VARIANCES.
Any person desiring to erect any structure or increase the height of any structure, or permit the growth of any tree, or otherwise use his or her property in violation of this division may apply to the board of adjustment for a variance from the zoning regulations in question. Such variances may be allowed where a literal application or enforcement of the regulations would result in practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and the relief granted would not be contrary to the public interest but do substantial justice and be in accordance with the spirit of this division; provided that any variances allowed shall be subject to any reasonable conditions that the board of adjustment may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this division.
(Ord. 101, § X, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-235 HAZARD MARKING AND LIGHTING.
§ 3-235 HAZARD MARKING AND LIGHTING.
Any permit granted under this division may, if such action is deemed advisable to effectuate the purposes of this division and reasonable in the circumstances, be so conditioned as to require the owner of the structure, tree or installation in question to permit the proper authority to install, operate and maintain thereon such markers and lights as the board may find necessary to indicate the presence of the airport hazard.
(Ord. 101, § XI, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-236 ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES.
§ 3-236 ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES.
(a) The administration and enforcement of the provisions of this division and all regulations adopted by the joint airport zoning board are vested in the governing bodies of each of the political subdivisions represented on the board which have respectively adopted by ordinance such provisions and regulations.
(b) Each such political subdivision shall:
(1) Establish its own administrative and enforcement agency;
(2) Designate another political subdivision to administer and enforce these regulations in its behalf; or
(3) Request the joint airport zoning board to designate an agency to act in this capacity in its behalf.
(Ord. 101, § XII, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-237 RULES OF PROCEDURE.
§ 3-237 RULES OF PROCEDURE.
The joint airport zoning board shall adopt rules and procedure to govern its actions and to inform permit applicants and administrative agencies and officials of the procedures required in connection with issuance of permits.
(Ord. 101, § XIII, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-238 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.
§ 3-238 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT.
(a) There is hereby created a board of adjustment to have and exercise the following powers:
(1) To hear and decide appeals from any order, requirement, decision or determination made in the enforcement of this division;
(2) To hear and decide special exceptions to the terms of this division upon which such board of adjustment may be required to pass by subsequent regulations; and
(3) To hear and decide specific variances.
(b) The board of adjustment shall consist of five members, each to be appointed by the joint airport zoning board for a term of two years and removable for cause by such joint airport zoning board upon written charges and after public hearing. Vacancies shall be filled by such joint airport zoning board for the unexpired term of any member whose term becomes vacant. The chairperson of the board of adjustment shall be elected by and from the members of the board of adjustment.
(c) The board of adjustment shall adopt rules for its governance and procedure in harmony with the provisions of this division. Meetings of the board of adjustment shall be held at the call of the chairperson and at such times as the board of adjustment may determine. The chairperson, or in his or her absence the acting chairperson, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. All hearings of the board of adjustment shall be public. The board of adjustment shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question, or if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall keep records of its examinations and other official actions, all of which shall immediately be filed in the office of the board of adjustment, and shall be a public record.
(Ord. 101, § XIV, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-239 APPEALS.
§ 3-239 APPEALS.
(a) Any person aggrieved, or taxpayer affected, by any decision of an administrative agency made in its administration of airport zoning regulations adopted under this division, or any governing body of a political subdivision, or any joint airport zoning board, which is of the opinion that a decision of such administrative agency is an improper application of airport zoning regulations of concern to such governing body or board, may appeal to the board of adjustment authorized to hear and decide appeals from the decisions of such administrative agency.
(b) All appeals taken under this section must be taken within a reasonable time, as provided by the rules of the board of adjustment, by filing with the administrative agency and with the board of adjustment a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof. The administrative agency shall forthwith transmit to the board of adjustment all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed from was taken.
(c) An appeal shall stay all proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed from, unless the administrative agency certifies to the board of adjustment, after the notice of appeal has been filed with it, that by reason of the facts stated in the certificate a stay would, in its opinion, cause imminent peril to life or property. In such case, proceedings shall not be stayed otherwise than by order of the board of adjustment on notice to the administrative agency and on due cause shown.
(d) The board of adjustment shall fix a reasonable time for the hearing of the appeal, give public notice and due notice to the parties in interest, and decide the same within a reasonable time. Upon hearing, any party may appeal in person or by agent or by attorney.
(e) The board of adjustment may, in conformity with the provisions of this division, reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or modify, the order, requirement decision or determination appealed from and may make such order, requirement, decision or determination as ought to be made, and to that end shall have all the powers of the administrative agency.
(f) The board of adjustment shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law, giving the facts upon which it acted and its legal conclusions from such facts in reversing or affirming, or modifying any order, requirement, decision or determination which comes before it under the provisions of this division.
(g) The concurring vote of four members of the board of adjustment shall be necessary to reverse or modify any order, requirement, decision or determination of the administrative agency or to decide in favor of the applicant concerning any matter upon which it is required to pass under the provisions of this division or to effect any variation in the application of the provisions of this division.
(Ord. 101, § XV, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-240 JUDICIAL REVIEW.
§ 3-240 JUDICIAL REVIEW.
Any person aggrieved or taxpayer affected by any decision of the board of adjustment or any governing body of a political subdivision or administrative agency or the joint airport zoning board which is of the opinion that a decision of the board of adjustment is illegal may, within ten days after the decision is filed in the office of the board, present a verified petition to a court of competent jurisdiction for relief in a manner as provided in Tex. Revised Civil Statutes Article 46e-11.
(Ord. 101, § XVI, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-241 ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES.
§ 3-241 ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES.
In addition to any other authorized remedies, the political subdivision or agency adopting the zoning regulations in this division may institute in any court of competent jurisdiction an action to prevent, restrain, correct or abate any violation of the provisions of this division or to enforce such provisions and may be granted such relief, by way of injunction or otherwise, as may be proper under all the facts and circumstances of the case.
(Ord. 101, § XVII, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-242 PENALTIES.
§ 3-242 PENALTIES.
Each violation of any provision of this division or of any regulation, order or ruling promulgated under this division shall constitute a misdemeanor and be punishable as provided in § 1-6 of this code. Jurisdiction for any offense providing a penalty under this division shall lie in the municipal court in the municipality in which the violation occurs; however, if the offense occurs in an area not incorporated within a municipality, jurisdiction shall lie in the justice of the peace court of the precinct in which the offense occurs.
(Ord. 101, § XVIII, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-243 CONFLICTING REGULATIONS.
§ 3-243 CONFLICTING REGULATIONS.
Where this division imposes a greater or more stringent restriction upon the use of land, height of a structure or tree, or the establishing or maintaining of any other airport hazard as defined in this division, than is imposed by other ordinances or regulations applicable to the same area or location, the provisions of this division shall govern and prevail.
(Ord. 101, § XIX, passed 7-22-1974)
Fort Worth City Code § 3-244 through 3-259 RESERVED.
Source: City of Fort Worth, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Zoning Ordinance (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ftworth/latest/ftworth_tx/0-0-0-3995Fetched: 10/26/2026