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<section article="gtr" article_name="Transportation" number="5-606" title_number="5" title_name="Aviation" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Airport Zoning -- by Political Subdivisions">
  <level label="a">
    <text>Regulations adopted under this subtitle shall divide the area surrounding the airport to which they apply into districts of the number, shape, and size that the political subdivision considers best suited for the purposes of this subtitle. Within each district, the political subdivision may regulate and restrict the height of structures and trees or other vegetation and the purposes for which land may be used.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>All regulations shall be uniform throughout the district to which they apply. However, regulations in one district may differ from those for other districts.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>As to each airport, in the establishment of districts or in the adoption or amendment of its airport zoning regulations, the political subdivision shall consider, among other things, to the extent that they affect and in order to promote the public health, safety, order, or security, the following:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The character of the flying operations conducted or expected to be conducted at the airport;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The surrounding terrain;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The height of existing structures and trees or other vegetation in the vicinity;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The feasibility of lowering or removing existing structures or trees or other vegetation in the vicinity;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>As to the aerial approaches necessary for safe flying operations at the airport, the opinion of the federal agency charged with fostering civil aeronautics;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>The risks associated with aerial traffic at the airport;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>The type, size, weight, and load capacity of aircraft that use or might use the airport;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>The weather conditions generally prevailing in the vicinity;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>The size and layout of the landing area of the airport; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>The present and future needs of the inhabitants of this State with reference to the use of the airport for public transportation.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>An airport zoning regulation adopted under this subtitle may not:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Require the removal or alteration of any structure that, as it existed when the regulation was adopted, did not conform to the regulation; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Otherwise interfere with the continuance of any nonconforming use.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
