§ 7-6. Vehicle rules and regulations.
(1)
Vehicles generally.
(a)
Pursuant to F.S. § 316.003(53)(c), as may be amended, any area, such as a runway, taxiway, ramp, clear zone, or parking lot, within the boundary of the airport, which area is used for vehicular traffic but which is not open for vehicular operation by the general public, shall be considered a street or highway.
(b)
Pursuant to F.S. § 320.535, as may be amended, airport fuel trucks and equipment are exempt from registration of motor vehicles, the payment of license taxes, and the display of license plates when operated or used for the purpose of transporting aviation fuel within the airport facility of the airport.
(c)
Vehicles shall not be operated within the aircraft operating area unless the vehicle is in sound mechanical order, has adequate lights and brakes, and permits clear visibility from the driver's position.
(2)
Escorting procedures.
(a)
Vehicles without ramp permits shall be escorted and attended by a prime lessee, FBO, or commercial aviation operator, or other authorized entity at all times while operating on the AOA.
(b)
Unattended vehicles shall display a ramp permit.
(3)
Ramp permits.
(a)
Except for emergency and law enforcement vehicles, vehicles operating or parking on the AOA shall comply with the ramp permit program and display a current ramp permit. An exception may be granted to airport tenants who develop an alternative plan for a specific area as approved by the airport manager.
(b)
No person shall lend or assign a ramp permit to any other person or knowingly permit the use thereof by another.
(4)
Aircraft operating area.
(a)
No person shall drive a vehicle in any part of the AOA except to provide service to aircraft, passengers, pilots, or airport tenants, unless specifically designated by the airport manager as being authorized to operate in such areas. The airport manager may restrict vehicles to a certain portion(s) or segment(s) of the AOA. Such restrictions shall prohibit vehicle operations outside designated area(s).
(b)
Use of quad-bikes, three wheelers, scooters, mini-bikes, go-carts, roller blades, skateboards, and the recreational use of bicycles is not permitted in the AOA.
(c)
Manually operated gates providing access to the AOA shall be kept closed and locked at all times. Open gates shall be attended by the airport tenant or the airport tenant's designee.
(d)
When using electronic automatic security gates, vehicle operators shall stop the vehicle and allow the gate to fully close before proceeding. The vehicle operator shall also ensure that no other vehicles or persons gain access to the airport while the gate is in the process of closing and/or not fully closed.
(e)
If the vehicle operator cannot prevent access by another vehicle, the operator shall immediately notify airport security.
(f)
Careless, negligent, unsafe, or reckless operation of a vehicle at the airport is prohibited.
(g)
All vehicles shall yield to aircraft at all times under all circumstances.
(h)
Vehicles shall not be operated within the AOA at a speed greater than ten (10) miles per hour.
(5)
Movement area.
(a)
Vehicles used in the movement area shall be marked so that the operator's name is clearly visible. Each entity is responsible for clearly marking all of such entity's vehicles operated in the movement area.
(b)
All vehicles operated in the movement area after sunset and before sunrise shall be equipped with an operational amber rotating or flashing beacon that is visible in all directions.
(c)
Vehicle operators shall obey all signs and pavement markings unless directed otherwise by the ATCT.
(d)
Vehicles shall not be operated in such a manner or within such proximity of an aircraft as to create a hazard or interfere with the safe operation of the aircraft.
(e)
All vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to any and all aircraft in motion.
(f)
Vehicles used for hauling trash, dirt, or any loose material shall not be operated in the airport except for periods of airport construction or as approved by the airport manager.
(g)
Positive locking couplings are required for all towing equipment.
(h)
No person shall operate any vehicle in the movement area unless such person has in his or her possession a movement area badge issued by the airport manager and a valid driver license issued by a state or territory of the United States unless such person is under escort by personnel having a movement area badge.
(i)
Any person in possession of a movement area badge who wishes to operate a vehicle in the movement area shall establish two-way communication with the ATCT and receive authorization from the ATCT prior to entering the movement area.
(j)
Failure to follow all ATCT instructions shall result in the immediate suspension of movement area driving privileges. A person whose movement area badge has been suspended may, within five calendar days from the time of suspension, request in writing a meeting with the airport manager to appeal such suspension.
(k)
In the event of radio failure, all persons operating vehicles in the movement area shall stop their vehicles and hold their positions until escorted or given a directive signal light from the ATCT. Vehicles that experience radio failure while located on a runway shall continue until clear of the holding position markings and await escort or directive signal lights from ATCT.
(6)
Parking and storage.
(a)
Vehicles shall be parked only in those areas designated for such purpose by the airport manager.
(b)
Other than vehicles exempt pursuant to F.S. § 320.535, as may be amended, all vehicles on airport property shall have a current registration, display a current license plate, and be fully operational and functional.
(c)
Vehicles shall not be parked or stopped:
1.
In such a manner as to obstruct a parking lot lane, driveway, roadway, walkway, crosswalk, fire lane, runway, taxiway, taxilane, ramp, or access gate or obstruct access to hangars, parked aircraft, or parked vehicles.
2.
Other than in accordance with restrictions posted on authorized signs, unless otherwise authorized by the airport manager.
(d)
Hangar tenants shall be allowed to park vehicles inside their respective hangars for only such periods as may be required in connection with use of the airport or use of aircraft to, from, or at the airport. In no event shall hangar tenants park vehicles inside a hangar for more than thirty (30) consecutive days. Storage of any vehicles inside a hangar for a period exceeding thirty (30) consecutive days must be approved by the airport manager.
(e)
Boats, recreational vehicles, racecars, personal watercraft, and trailers shall not be parked or stored at the airport except for governmental purposes or incidental or short-term storage authorized by the airport manager.
(f)
At the discretion of the airport manager or authorized law enforcement officers, any vehicle that is illegally parked may be removed, and the expense of the removal shall be charged to the registered owner of said vehicle.
(g)
All vehicle parking shall be on paved surfaces except for areas adjacent to T-hangars or where authorized by the airport manager.
(h)
No person shall conduct maintenance of a private vehicle on airport property.
(i)
Vehicles, including but not limited to, tow tractors, ground power units, and fuel trucks, operated by commercial aviation operators or prime lessees, shall be cleaned and/or maintained in areas identified by the commercial aviation operator or prime lessee, subject to approval by the airport manager.
(j)
The city may tow, remove, or cause to be removed from the airport, at the vehicle operator's risk and expense and without liability for damage that may result from such removal, any vehicle that is disabled, abandoned, or parked in violation of this chapter 7, or that creates a safety hazard.
(7)
Storage of non-aviation related items. Airport hangars and T-hangars are presumed to be used exclusively for the storage of aircraft and the conduct of aeronautical activities, except with express written permission of the airport manager. Any unauthorized stored or parked vehicles or any other non-aviation related items or property will be removed and placed in storage at the owner's expense, without liability for damages arising from such removal and storage by the city.
( Ord. No. C-16-15 , § 1, 8-16-16)