Application for license.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 9-319
in effectSec. 9-319. - Application for license.
(a) Form and contents. An application for a heliport or helistop license, other than a temporary license, shall be submitted in such form as the director may prescribe and shall be accompanied by drawings, descriptive data, and inspection reports to verify compliance with this article, the Construction Code, the Fire Code, and any other applicable city, state, or federal requirement. The director shall have the authority to establish minimum design standards for heliports and helistops, provided that the standards are not inconsistent with any applicable city, state, or federal standards. In addition, the application shall contain the following:
(1) A site plan;
(2) A plot plan;
(3) FAA letter of airspace determination;
(4) FAA statement of no objection to approach and departure routes;
(5) Types and weights of helicopters to be used;
(6) Number and estimated duration of operations daily for each type of helicopter listed;
(7) Days and hours of operation;
(8) Name of insurance carrier and proof of insurance as required by this article;
(9) A declaration that complies with 1-11(a) of this Code along with other proof that all required notices including publication have been given;
(10) A photograph of the sign posted in accordance with subsection (d)(1) of this section;
(11) A noise study as required by section 9-323 of this Code; and
(12) An approval from Houston Public Works affirming that all Construction Code and Fire Code requirements are met or will be when construction of the heliport or helistop is complete.
(b) Oath. Every application for license shall be accompanied by a declaration that complies with section 1-11(a) of this Code executed by the owner of the premises on which the heliport or helistop is to be constructed, or the authorized lessee of the premises, that the proposed facility is authorized to be constructed or to be maintained on the premises, and does not violate any deed restrictions or other similar restrictions applicable to the property.
(c) Permission to inspect premises. By applying for a license under this article, the owner or lessee specifically grants permission to the city and its duly authorized agents, officials, and employees to enter upon the premises for the purpose of making all inspections required or authorized to be made under this article. A statement to this effect shall be included in the application form.
(d) Public notices:
(1) The applicant must post and maintain a sign at the prospective location of the heliport or helistop for at least 20 days before an application submitted to the director may be considered. The sign shall remain posted until the license proceedings are completed. The sign shall provide adequate information as to the location of the proposed heliport or helistop. The director may provide an example of the required sign to the applicant. The sign shall be not less than 32 square feet nor more than 40 square feet and shall be placed in a conspicuous location and in a manner calculated to give adequate public notice. Declarations that comply with section 1-11(a) of this Code of sign posting and maintenance or other proof that the requirements of this subsection have been met shall be provided as part of the application. This article constitutes complete, sufficient and independent authority for such sign to be erected and maintained and no additional sign fees or permits shall be required.
(2) The applicant must cause to be published a notice of intent to construct and operate a heliport or helistop in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the city for two separate days, exactly one week apart, before an application may be considered. The second notice of intent must be published no more than five days before the application is submitted to the director. The application shall not be considered by the director until at least five days have passed since the second notice of intent publication. The director may provide an example of the required notice of intent to the applicant.
(3) Failure to give notice or to provide adequate proof as required by this article shall constitute grounds for denial of any license.
(e) Terms and conditions of the license. By applying for a license under the provisions of this article, each applicant agrees that, in the event that the license is granted, the contents of the application will become part of the license and that the license is granted subject to applicant's compliance with the terms and conditions contained in the application. The applicant further agrees that failure to comply fully with the terms and conditions of the license as granted and as from time to time altered or changed in accordance with this article, including but not limited to failure to comply with the approach and departure routes, shall be grounds for the revocation of the license.
(Ord. No. 2015-1103, § 2(Exh. A), 11-10-2015; Ord. No. 2018-11, § 50, 1-10-2018)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH9AV_ARTVHEHE_S9-319APLIFetched: 10/26/2026