Vernon Airport Zoning Regulations

From a regulatory perspective, the authority for the designation of and control of the use of lands located outside of aerodrome property rests with provincial/municipal levels of government (The City of Vernon). However, areas surrounding the Vernon Regional Airport which are covered under the Airport Zoning Regulation (AZR) are subject to Transport Canada and NAV Canada regulations as well. The AZR contains restrictive clauses that describe activities and uses that are restricted or prohibited and contains a legal description of the land which it applies.

No person shall erect or construct on any land to which these regulations apply, any building, structure or object or any addition to any existing building, structure or object, the highest point of which will exceed in elevation at the location of that point, any:

1. Approach/Take-off Surface;
2. Outer Surface;
3. Transitional Surface.

Figure 6 - Transport Canada Advisory Circular AC602-003

1. The developer or owner shall submit to the City of Vernon Building Permits Division all necessary documentation and other requirements as to obtain a building permit for the work in question.

2. Enter the address of the proposed development/construction into the interactive map below to determine what approvals are required. If a development or construction site lies within one of the four areas inside the airport zoning, use the guidelines below to determine what legal requirements and submissions must be followed.

   Zone 1 – Approach/Take Off Surface - This address is within the approach/take off surface, approvals will be required from the City of Vernon, Transport Canada, and NavCanada before any development or use of aerial lifts can be completed. (It is recommended that this process is performed in parallel with #1).

   Zone 2 – Circuit - This address is within the circuit path of the airport, approvals will be required from the City of Vernon and Transport Canada before any development or use of aerial lifts can be completed - additional approvals may be required. (It is recommended that this process is performed in parallel with #1).

   Zone 3 – Outer Surface - This address is within the outer surface of the airport, approvals will be required from the City of Vernon before any development or use of aerial lifts can be completed - additional approvals may be required.

   Zone 4 – Outside AZR’s - This address is not located within the airport zoning regulations, no airport related approvals are required.

3. The City of Vernon will release the City of Vernon Building permit once a copy of the Transport Canada and NAV CANADA approvals are presented in order to ensure that the project has been vetted through both agencies and requirements are understood and accepted by all parties.

The City of Vernon: must assess land use and construction as there may be prohibitions contained in the AZR that limit the height of structures or objects, whether permanent or temporary. The City of Vernon attempts to respond within 1 to 2 weeks of receiving a complete proposal.

Transport Canada: must assess land use proposals as there may be restrictions and/or prohibitions contained in a zoning regulation that may limit the height of structures or objects, whether permanent or temporary as well as uses that may cause interference with signals or communications to/from aircraft. Transport Canada attempts to respond within eight to 12 weeks of receiving a complete proposal.

NAV CANADA: must assess and approve all proposals for land use near airports and air navigation infrastructure before construction begins. Processing times vary, however NAV CANADA attempts to respond within eight to 12 weeks of receiving a complete proposal.

Enter the address for the development or construction project in the map below to determine the requirements that must be completed prior to developing or constructing on land in the AZR.

Airport Development Restrictions Map

There are private surveying and consultancy firms available to assist developers and owners in this process. The City of Vernon recommends seeking professional survey to support the approval process.

• Aeronautical Assessment Form (EN) (Transport Canada)
• Land Use Proposal Guidelines (EN) (navcanada.ca) 
• Airport Height Assessment Form (City of Vernon)
• Regional Airport Zoning Regulations Bylaw #4578 (City of Vernon)
• Aviation - Land Use in the Vicinity of Aerodromes - TP 1247 (canada.ca)
• Transport Canada – Advisory Circular (AC) No. 602-003