Airport Zoning Act67-5-212 AERONAUTICS 1262
1263 AIRPORT ZONING ACT 67-6-201
67-5-212. Penalty. Any person or firm or corporation violating any of the
provisions of this law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or by imprisonment
for a period of not more than 6 months or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Each such person, firm, or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate
offense for every day during any portion of which any violation of this law is
committed, continued, or permitted by such person, firm, or corporation and
shall be punishable as provided by such law.
History- En. Sec. 12, Ch. 12, L. 1939; R.C.M. 1947, 1-709.
CHAPTER 6
AIRPORT ZONING ACT
Part 1— General Provisions
67-6-101. Short title.
67-6-102. Legislative finding and purpose.
67-6-103. Constitutional restriction.
Part 2 — Zoning
67-6-201.
Airport zoning power.
67-6-202.
Airport zoning regulations
— procedure — commission.
67-6-203.
Airport zoning regulations
— requirements.
67-6-204.
Zoning regulations — merger or conflict.
67-6-205.
Airport zoning regulations
— administration.
67-6-206.
Board of adjustment.
67-6-207.
Permits — variances.
67-6-208 through 67-6-210 reserved.
67-6-211.
Penalty —injunction.
Part 3 — Miscellaneous Provisions
67-6-301. Acquisition of property rights when zoning not sufficient.
Chapter Cross -References
Planning and zoning, Title 76, ch. 2.
Part 1
General Provisions
67-6-101. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as
the "Airport Zoning Act".
History- En. Sec. 14, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-723.
67-6-102. Legislative finding and purpose. (1) It is hereby found that
an airport hazard endangers the lives and property of users of the airport and
of occupants of land in its vicinity and also, if of the obstruction type, in effect
reduces the size of the area available for the landing, taking off, and maneu-
vering of aircraft, thus tending to destroy or impair the utility of the airport
and the public investment therein.
(a) that the creation or establishment of an airport hazard is a public
nuisance and an injury to the community served by the airport in question;
(b) that it is therefore necessary in the interest of the public health, public
safety, and general welfare that the creation or establishment of airport
hazards be prevented; and
(c) that this should be accomplished, to the extent legally possible, by
exercise of the police power, without compensation.
(3) It is further declared that both the prevention of the creation or
establishment of airport hazards and the elimination, removal, alteration,
mitigation, or marking and lighting of existing airport hazards are public
purposes for which political subdivisions may raise and expend public funds
and acquire land or property interests therein.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 287, L. 1947, R.C.M. 1947, 1-711.
67-6-103. Constitutional restriction. In any case in which airport
zoning regulations adopted under this chapter, although generally reasonable,
are held by a court to interfere with the use or enjoyment of a particular
structure or parcel of land to such an extent or to be so onerous in their
application to such a structure or parcel of land as to constitute a taking or
deprivation of that property in violation of the constitution of this state or the
constitution of the United States, such holding shall not affect the application
of such regulations to other structures and parcels of land.
History- En. Sec. 10, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-719.
Cross -References Eminent domain, Art. II, sec. 29, Mont.
Due process of law, Art. II, sec. 17, Mont. Const.
Const.
Part 2
Zoning
Part Cross -References No limitation on airport hazard zoning,
Rules, permits, and variances, Title 67, ch. 67-10-231, 67-11-241.
4, part 3.
67-6-201. Airport zoning power. (1) In order to prevent the creation or
establishment of airport hazards, every political subdivision having an airport
hazard area within its territorial limits may adopt, administer, and enforce,
un er the police power and in the manner and upon the conditions prescribed,
airport zoning regulations for such airport hazard area, which regulations may
divide such area into zones and, within such zones, specify the land uses
permitted and regulate and restrict the height to which structures and trees
may be erected or allowed to grow.
(2) Where an airport is owned or controlled by a political subdivision and
any airport hazard area appertaining to such airport is located outside the
territorial limits of said political subdivision, within or without the state, the
political subdivision owning or controlling the airport and the political subdi-
vision within which the airport hazard area is located may, by ordinance or
resolution duly adopted, create a joint airport zoning board, which board shall
have the same power to adopt, administer, and enforce airport zoning regula-
tions applicable to the airport hazard area in question as that vested by
L _ �;4', 1 �„} rlivi,;inn within which such area is located.
AERONAUTICS 1264 1265 AIRPORT ZONING ACT 67-6-207
Each such joint board shall have as members two representatives appointed by 67-6-204. Zoning regulations — merger or conflict. (1) In the event
each political subdivision participating in its creation and in addition a chair- that a political subdivision had adopted or hereafter adopts a comprehensive
man elected by a majority of the members so appointed.
(3) If in the judgment of a political subdivision owning or controlling zoning ordinance regulating, among other things, the height of buildings, any
g an airport zoningregulations applicable to the same area or portion thereof may
airport, the political subdivision within which is located an airport hazard area be incorporated In and made a part of such comprehensive zoning regulations
appertaining to that airport has failed to adopt or enforce reasonably adequate and be administered and enforced in connection therewith.
airport zoning regulations for such area under subsection (1) and if that (2) In the event of conflict between any airport zoning regulations adopted
political subdivision has refused to join in creating a joint airport zoning board under this chapter and any other regulations applicable to the same area,
as authorized in subsection (2), the political subdivision owning or controlling whether the conflict be with respect to the height of structures or trees, the
the airport may itself adopt, administer, and enforce airport zoning regulations
use of land, or any other matter and whether such other regulations were
for the airport hazard area in question. In the event of conflict between such adopted by the airport zoning regulations or by some other political subdivision,
regulations and any airport zoning regulations adopted by the political subdi- the more stringent limitation or requirement shall govern and prevail.
vision within which the airport hazard area is located the regulations of the History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-713.
political subdivision owning or controlling the airport shall govern and prevail.
History- En- Sec. 3, Ch. 287, L. 1947, R.C.M. 1947, 1-712. 67-6-205. Airport zoning regulations — administration. All airport
67-6-202. Airport zoning regulations —procedure —commission. zoning regulations adopted under this chapter shall provide for the administra-
tion and enforcement of such regulations by an administrative agency which
(1) In adopting, amending, and repealing airport zoning regulations under this may be an agency created by such regulations or any official, board, or other
chapter, the political subdivision or joint airport zoning board shall follow the of the political
subdivision adopting the regulations or of one
Procedure prescribed by the laws of this state for the adoption, amendment, or existing agency p
repeal of comprehensive zoning regulations, as provided in Title 76, chapter 2, of the political subdivisions which participated in the creation of the joint
part 3. airport zoning board adopting the regulations, if satisfactory to that political
(2) Prior to the initial zoning of any airport hazard area under this chapter, subdivision; but in no case shall such administrative agency be or include any
the political subdivision or joint airport zoning board which is to adopt the member of the board of adjustment. The duties of any administrative agency
airport zoning designated pursuant to this chapter shall include that of hearing and deciding
regulations shall appoint a commission, to be known as the
g all permits under 67-6-207(1), but such agency shall not have or exercise an
commission, to recommend the boundaries of the various zones to be estab- of the powers herein delegated to the board of adjustment.
lished and the regulations to be adopted therefor. Such commission shall make History- En. Sec. 8, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-717.
a preliminary report and hold public hearings thereon before submitting its
final report, and the legislative body of the political subdivision or the joint 67-6-206. Board of adjustment. All airport zoning regulations adopted
airport zoning board shall not hold its public hearings or take other action until under this chapter shall provide for a board of adjustment to be appointed in
it has received the final report of such commission. Where a city planning the manner and have and exercise all the powers provided in 76-2-321 through
commission or comprehensive zoning commission already exists, it may be 76-2-328, and each and all of the provisions of said sections relating to appeals
appointed as the airport zoning commission. and judicial review shall be applicable to this chapter.
History. En. Sec. 5, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-714. History- En. Sec. 9, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-718.
67-6-203. Airport zoning regulations — requirements. (1) All air-
port zoning regulations adopted under this chapter shall bee reasonable, and 67-6-207. Permits -- variances. (1) When advisable to facilitate the
notreasonably anenforcement of this chapter, a system may be established for granting permits
none shall impose any requirement or restriction which
to establish or construct new structures and other uses. In any event, before
necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. In determining what any nonconforming structure may be replaced with a taller one or any noncon-
regulations it may adopt, each political subdivision and joint airport zoning forming tree allowed to ow higher or be replanted, a permit must be secured
board shall consider, among other things, the character of the flying operations from the administrative agency authorized to administer and enforce the
expected to be conducted at the airport, the nature of the terrain within the regulations authorizing such replacement or change. No such permit shall be
airport hazard area, the character of the neighborhood, and the uses to which
granted that would allow the structure to become a greater hazard to air
the property to be zoned is put and adaptable.
(2) No airport zoning regulations adopted under this chapter shall require navigation than it wagase e n the applicable regulation was adopted. Whenever
the removal, lowering, or other change or alteration of any structure or tree the administrative determines that a nonconforming structure or tree
not conforming to the regulations when adopted or amended or otherwise has been abandoned or more than 80% torn down, destroyed, deteriorated, or
decayed, no permit shall be granted that would allow said structure or tree to
interfere with the continuance of any nonconforming use, except as provided exceed the applicable height limit or otherwise deviate from the zoning regu-
in 67-6-207(3). lations. Except as indicated, all applications for permits for replacement,
History. En. Sec. 6, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-715.
change, or repair of nonconforming uses shall be granted.
67-6-211 AERONAUTICS 1266
(2) Any person desiring to erect any structure, increase the height of any
structure, permit the growth of any tree, or otherwise use his property in
violation of airport zoning regulations adopted under this chapter may apply
to the board of adjustment for a variance from the zoning regulations in
question. Such variances shall be allowed where a literal application or enforce-
ment 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 the regulations
and this chapter. Any variance may be allowed subject to any reasonable
conditions that the board of adjustment may deem necessary to effectuate the
purposes of this chapter.
(3) In granting any permit or variance under this section, the administra-
tive agency or board of adjustment may, if it deems such action advisable to
effectuate the purposes of this chapter and reasonable in the circumstances, so
condition such permit or variance as to require the owner of the structure or
tree in question to permit the political subdivision, at its own expense, to install,
operate, and maintain thereon such markers and lights as may be necessary to
indicate to flyers the presence of an airport hazard.
History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-716.
Cross -References
Noise, height, and land use regulation —
permits and variances, 67-4-313, 67-4-314.
67-6-208 through 67-6-210 reserved.
67-6-211. Penalty— injunction. Each violation of this chapter or of any
regulations, orders, or rulings promulgated or made pursuant to this chapter
shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not more
than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months or by both such fine
and imprisonment, and each day a violation continues to exist shall constitute
a separate offense. In addition the political subdivision or agency adopting
zoning regulations under this chapter may institute in any court of competent
jurisdiction an action to prevent, restrain, correct, or abate any violation of this
chapter or of airport zoning regulations adopted under this chapter or of any
order or ruling made in connection with their administration or enforcement;
and the court shall adjudge to the plaintiff such relief, by way of injunction
(which may be mandatory) or otherwise, as may be proper under all the facts
and circumstances of the case, in order fully to effectuate the purposes of this
chapter and of the regulations adopted and orders and rulings made pursuant
thereto.
History: En. Sec. 11, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-720.
Cross -References Restrictions on height of structures and
Injunctions, Title 27, ch. 19. lights — enforcement and penalty, 67-5-211,
Noise, height, and land use regulation — 67-5-212.
penalty and injunction, 67-4-401, 67-4-402.
Part 3
Miscellaneous Provisions
67-6-301. Acquisition of property rights when zoning not suffi-
cient. The political subdivision within which the property or nonconforming
1267 MUNICIPAL AIRPORTS 67-6-301
use is located or the political subdivision owning the airport or served by it may
acquire, by purchase, grant, or condemnation in the manner provided by the
law under which political subdivisions are authorized to acquire real property
for public purposes, such air right, aviation easement, or other estate or interest
in the property or nonconforming structure or use in question as may be
necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter, in any case in which:
(1) it is desired to remove, lower, or otherwise terminate a nonconforming
structure or use;
(2) the approach protection necessary cannot, because of constitutional
limitations, be provided by airport zoning regulations under this chapter; or
(3) it appears advisable that the necessary approach protection be pro-
vided by acquisition of property rights rather than by airport zoning regula-
tions.
History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 287, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-721.
Cross -References Acquisition and establishment of airports
Restrictions on annexation power, and landing fields, 67-10-102.
Joint Airport Board, 67-10-205.
7-2-4503. General powers of authority, 67-11-201.
State airports — acquisition, 67-2-301. Eminent domain, Title 70, ch. 30.
CHAPTERS 7 THROUGH 9
RESERVED
CHAPTER 10
MUNICIPAL AIRPORTS
Part 1— General Provisions
67-10-101. Short title. -
67-10-102. Acquisition and establishment of airports and landing fields.
67-10-103. Public purpose.
67-10-104. Construction.
Part 2 — General Powers of Municipality Relating to Airports
67-10-201. General municipal powers. rules.
67-10-202. Creation of board — funding —
67-10-203. Mutual assistance.
67-10-204. Joint exercise of powers.
67-10-205. Joint airport board.
67-10-206. Joint fund.
67-10-207. Supplementary powers.
67-10-208 through 67-10-210 reserved.
67-10-211. Assistance in airport road construction — department of transportation.
67-10-212 through 67-10-220 reserved.
67-10-221. Airport property — acquisition by eminent domain•
67-10-222. Airport property — disposal.
67-10-223 through 67-10-230 reserved.
67-10-231. No limitation on airport hazard zoning.
1268
Part 3 — Operation of Airports
67-10-301. Municipal regulation.
67-10-302. Granting of operation and use privileges.
67-10-303. Delegation of authority.
Part 4 — Finance
67-10-401.
Appropriations — taxation.
67-10-402.
Tax levy.
67-10-403.
Liens.
67-10-404.
Airport revenues and sale proceeds.
67-10-405.
Federal and state money.
67-10-406.
Tax exemption.
Chapter Cross -References
Municipal and regional airport authorities,
Title 67, ch. 11.
Part 1
General Provisions
67-10-101. Short title. This chapter may be cited as the "Municipal
Airports Act".
History: En. Sec. 22, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-828; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
67-10-102. Acquisition and establishment of airports and landing
fields. (1) Counties, cities, and towns in this state may, either individually or
by the joint action of a county and one or more of the cities and towns within
its border, acquire by gift, deed, purchase, or condemnation land for airport or
landing field purposes and thereon establish, construct, own, control, lease,
equip, improve, operate, and regulate airports or landing fields for the use of
airplanes and other aircraft and may use for such purpose or purposes any
property suitable therefor that now or may at any time hereafter be acquired,
owned, or controlled by such county, city, or town.
(2) In addition a county, city, or town may do the acts authorized by this
section by acting jointly with one or more counties, with one or more cities,
with one or more towns, or any combination of such counties, cities, or towns.
Such airport need not be located, in whole or in part, within the limits of each
subdivision participating in the joint venture.
History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 108, L. 1929; re -en. Sec. 5668.35, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1,
Ch. 54, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 88, L. 1961; R.C.M. 1947, 1-801.
Cross -References Acquisition of property rights when zoning
Power of city to acquire landing field, not sufficient, 67-6-301.
7-14-4801. Creation of Airport Board, 67-10-202.
State airports — acquisition, 67-2-301.
67-10-103. Public purpose. (1) Any lands acquired, owned, controlled,
or occupied by any county, city, or town, individually or pursuant to joint action
as herein provided for the purposes enumerated in 67-10-102, are acquired,
owned, controlled, and occupied for a public use and as a matter of public
necessity, and such counties, cities, and towns, whether acting individually or
jointly, have the right to acquire property for such purposes under the power
of eminent domain as and for a public use or necessity.
1269 MUNIUIYALAlnrvnlo -- ---
(2) The acquisition of any land or interest therein pursuant to this chapter;
the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, improve-
ment, maintenance, equipment, operation, regulation, protection, and policing
of airports and air navigation facilities, including the acquisition or elimination
of airport hazards; and the exercise of any other powers herein granted to
municipalities and other public agencies, to be severally or jointly exercised,
are public and governmental functions, exercised for a public purpose and
matters of public necessity and, in the case of any county, are county functions
and purposes as well as public and governmental and, in the case of any
municipality other than a county, are municipal functions and purposes as well
as public and governmental. All land and other property and privileges acquired
and used by or on behalf of any municipality or other public agency in the
manner and for the purposes enumerated in this chapter are acquired and used
for public and governmental purposes and as a matter of public necessity and,
in the case of a county or municipality, for county or municipal purposes,
respectively.
History: (1)En. Sec. 2, Ch. 108, L. 1929; re -en. Sec. 5668.36, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec.
2, Ch. 54, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 88, L.1961; Sec. 1-802, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 15, Ch.
288, L. 1947; Sec. 1-822, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-802, 1-822; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
Cross -References
No immunity from suit, 2-9-111(4).
67-10-104. Construction. This chapter shall be so interpreted and con-
strued as to make uniform so far as possible the laws and regulations of this
state and other states and of the government of the United States having to do
with the subject of municipal airports.
History: En. Sec. 19, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1.826; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
Part 2
General Powers of Municipality Relating to Airports
Part Cross -References
Restrictions on annexation power,
7-2-4503.
67-10-201. General municipal powers. (1) Every municipality may,
out of any appropriations or other money made available for such purposes,
plan, establish, develop, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate,
regulate, protect, and police airports and air navigation facilities, either within
or without the territorial limits of such municipality and within or without the
territorial boundaries of this state, including the construction, installation,
equipment, maintenance, and operation at such airports of buildings and other
facilities for the servicing of aircraft or for the comfort and accommodation of
air travelers and the purchase and sale of supplies, goods, and commodities as
an incident to the operation of its airport properties. For such purposes the
municipality may use any available property that it may now or hereafter own
or control and may, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, eminent domain proceed-
ings, or otherwise, acquire property, real or personal, or any interest therein,
including easements, in airport hazards or land outside the boundaries of an
airport or airport site, as is necessary to permit safe and efficient operation of
- -- --- r1 r,nv1NAU 11V0 1270
the airport; to permit the removal, elimination, obstruction -marking, or ob-
struction -lighting of airport hazards; or to prevent the establishment of airport
hazards.
(2) The municipality may, by purchase, gift, devise, lease, eminent domain
proceedings, or otherwise, acquire existing airports and air navigation facili-
ties, provided however it may not acquire or take over any airport or air
navigation facility owned or controlled by another municipality or public
agency of this or any other state without the consent of such municipality or
public agency.
(3) For the purposes of this chapter, a municipality may establish or
acquire and maintain, within or bordering upon the territorial limits of the
municipality, airports in, over, and upon any public waters of this state, any
submerged lands under such public waters and any artificial or reclaimed lands
which before the artificial making or reclamation thereof constituted a portion
of the submerged lands under such public waters, and may construct and
maintain terminal buildings, landing floats, causeways, roadways, and bridges
for approaches to or connecting with any such airport, and landing floats and
breakwaters for the protection thereof.
(4) All air navigation facilities established or operated by municipalities
shall be supplementary to and coordinated in design and operation with those
established and operated by the federal and state governments.
(5) A municipality may enter into any contracts necessary for the execu-
tion of the powers granted it and for the purposes provided by this chapter.
History: En. Secs. 2, 13, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-809, 1-820; amd. Sec. 5, Ch.
140, L. 1979.
Cross -References General powers of authority, 67-11-201.
Airport easement acquisition, 67-2-301(3).
67-10-202. Creation of board — funding— rules. (1) The county, city,
or town, acting individually or acting jointly as authorized by 67-10-102, having
established an airport or landing field and acquired property for such purpose,
may construct, improve, equip, maintain, and operate the same and for that
purpose may create a board or body from the inhabitants of such county, city,
or town, or such joint subdivisions of the state for the purpose of conferring
upon them, and may confer upon them, the jurisdiction for the improvement,
equipment, maintenance, and operation of such airport or landing field. The
board of county commissioners, the city or town council, as the case may be, or
the board of county commissioners and the council or councils under a joint
venture may adopt rules and establish fees or charges for the use of such airport
or landing field or may authorize such board or body to do so, subject, however,
to the approval of the appointing power before the same shall take effect. All
expenses of such construction, improvement, equipment, maintenance, and
operation shall be a charge against such county, city, or town; or when a county,
city, or town acts jointly under the authority herein given, such charges shall
be against the joint subdivisions of the state and shall be apportioned according
to benefits to accrue, the proportion to be paid by each to be fixed in advance
by joint resolution of the governing bodies.
(2) For the purpose of meeting the charges mentioned when the airport
or landing field is such joint venture, a joint fund shall be created and
1271 MUNICIPAL AIRPOK'1'S o 1-1"-"'_
maintained into which each of the political subdivisions interested shall deposit
its proportionate share in accordance with the predetermination of the board
of county commissioners and council or councils affected.
(3) All disbursements from such fund shall be made by order of such joint
board or body, if one be created as authorized, otherwise under such rules as
the joint control by the commissioners and council or councils may adopt.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 108, L. 1929; re -en. Sec. 5668.37, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 3,
Ch. 54, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 88, L. 1961; R.C.M. 1947, 1-803.
67-10-203. Mutual assistance. If any municipality determines that the
public interest and the interests of the municipality will be served by assisting
any other municipality or municipalities in exercising the powers and authority
granted by this chapter, such municipality may furnish assistance by gift of
real or personal property or lease or loan thereof with or without charge or
interest. In appropriating such property or money and providing for such
assistance by taxation, the issuance of bonds, or other means, the municipality
may exercise all of its powers as though used for its own direct purposes as
provided in this chapter.
History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 19479 1-819; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
67-10-204. Joint exercise of powers. (1) For the purposes of 67-10-204
through 67-10-206, unless otherwise qualified, the term "public agency" in-
cludes municipality, as defined in this title; any agency of the state government
and of the United States; and any municipality, political subdivision, and
agency of another state; and the term "governing body" means the governing
body of a county or municipality and the head of the agency if the public agency
is other than a county or municipality.
(2) All powers, privileges, and authority granted to any municipality by
this chapter may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any public agency of this
state and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United
States to the extent that the laws of such other state or of the United States
permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. If not otherwise authorized by law,
any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any municipality
may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges, and authority conferred
by this chapter upon a municipality.
(3) Any two or more public agencies may enter into agreements with each
other for joint action pursuant to the provisions of 67-10-204 through
67-10-206. Concurrent action by ordinance, resolution, or otherwise of the
governing bodies of the participating public agencies constitutes joint action.
Each such agreement shall specify its duration; the proportionate interest
which each public agency has in the property, facilities, and privileges involved;
the proportion to be borne by each public agency of preliminary costs and costs
of acquisition, establishment, construction, enlargement, improvement, and
equipment of the airport or air navigation facility; the proportion of the
expenses of maintenance, operation, regulation, and protection thereof to be
borne by each; and such other terms as are required by the provisions of
67-10-204 through 67-10-206. The agreement may also provide for amend-
ments thereof and conditions and methods of termination of the agreement;
the disposal of all or any of the property, facilities, and privileges jointly owned,
- -- -�� ru nvivr1u riw 1272
prior to or upon said property, facilities, and privileges, or any part thereof,
ceasing to be used for the purposes provided in this chapter or upon termination
of the agreement; the distribution of the proceeds received upon any such
disposal and of any funds or other property jointly owned and undisposed of,
the assumption or payment of any indebtedness arising from the joint venture
which remains unpaid upon the disposal of all assets or upon a termination of
the agreement; and such other provisions as may be necessary or convenient.
History- En. Sec. 14, Ch. 288, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 10, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947,
1-821(a), (b); amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 140, L. 1979.
Cross -References
Joint exercise of powers, 67-11-203.
67-10-205. Joint airport board. (1) Public agencies acting jointly pur-
suant to 67-10-204 through 67-10-206 shall create a joint board which shall
consist of members appointed by the governing body of each participating
public agency. Per diem and mileage of such joint board may be set by resolution
of the board of county commissioners. The number to be appointed and their
term shall be provided for in the joint agreement. Each such joint board shall
organize, select officers for terms to be fixed by the agreement, and from time
to time adopt and amend rules for its own procedure. The joint board shall have
power to plan, acquire, establish, develop, construct, enlarge, improve, main-
tain, equip, operate, regulate, protect, and police any airport or air navigation
facility or airport hazard to be jointly acquired, controlled, and operated; and
such board may exercise on behalf of its constituent public agencies all the
powers of each with respect to such airport, air navigation facility, or airport
hazard, subject to the limitations of subsection (2) of this section.
(2) (a) The total expenditures to be made by the joint board for any
purpose in any calendar year shall be determined by a budget approved by the
governing bodies of its constituent public agencies.
(b) No airport, air navigation facility, airport hazard, or real or personal
property, the cost of which is in excess of sums therefor fixed by the joint
agreement or allotted in the annual budget, may be acquired by the joint board
without the approval of the governing bodies of its constituent public agencies.
(c) Eminent domain proceedings under 67-10-204 through 67-10-206 may
be instituted only by authority of the governing bodies of the constituent public
agencies of the joint board. If so authorized, such proceedings shall be instituted
in the names of the constituent public agencies jointly, and the property so
acquired shall be held by said public agencies as tenants in common until
conveyed by them to the joint board.
(d) The joint board shall not dispose of any airport, air navigation facility,
or real property under its jurisdiction except with the consent of the governing
bodies of its constituent public agencies, provided that the joint board may,
without such consent, enter into the contract, lease, or other arrangements
contemplated by 67-10-302.
(e) Any resolutions, rules, or orders of the joint board dealing with subjects
authorized by 67-10-301 shall become effective only upon approval of the
governing bodies of the constituent public agencies, provided that upon such
approval, the resolutions, rules, or orders of the joint board shall have the same
force and effect in the territories or jurisdictions involved as the ordinance,
1273 MUNICIPAL Alttrut 1'6
resolutions, rules, or orders of each public agency would have in its own
territory or jurisdiction.
History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 288, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 10, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947,
1-821(c), (d).
Airport revenues and sale proceeds,
Cross -References
State airports - acquisition, 67-2-301. 67-10-404.
State airports - operation, 67-2-302.
67-10-206. Joint fund. For the purpose of providing a joint board with
moneys for the necessary expenditures in carrying out the provisions of
67-10-204 and 67-10-205, a joint fund shall be created and maintained into
which shall be deposited the share of each of the constituent public agencies as
provided by the joint agreement. Each of the constituent public agencies shall
provide its share of the fund from sources available to each. Any federal, state,
or other contributions or loans and the revenues obtained from the joint
ownership, control, and operation of any airport or air navigation facility under
the jurisdiction of the joint board shall be paid into the joint fund..Disburse-
ments from such fund shall be made by order of the board, subject to the
limitations prescribed in 67-10-205(2).
History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 288, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 10, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947,
1-821(e).
67-10-207. Supplementary powers. In addition to the general and
special powers conferred by this chapter, every municipality is authorized to
exercise powers necessarily incidental to the exercise of such general and
special powers.
History- En. Sec. 17, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-824; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
67-10-208 through 67-10-210 reserved.
67-10-211. Assistance in airport road construction- department
of transportation. The department of transportation may, upon written
application of the governing body of a municipality, assist the municipality in
the location, establishment, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and
improvement of highways and roads to and from municipal airports and field
development of them. The department of transportation shall lend its equip-
ment, machinery, technical services, and supervision to the municipality, under
agreements made with each municipality.
History- En. Sec. 1, Ch. 120, L. 1939; amd. Sec. 39, Ch. 348, L. 1974; R C.M. 1947,
1-807; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 512, L. 199E
Cross -References
General powers of Department of Trans-
portation, 60-2-201.
67.10-212 through 67-10-220 reserved.
67-10-221. Airport property -acquisition by eminent domain. In
the acquisition of property by eminent domain proceedings authorized by this
chapter, the municipality shall proceed in the manner provided by the laws
governing eminent domain of the state of Montana. The municipality is not
precluded from abandoning such proceedings in any case where possession of
the property has not been taken.
History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-810; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
1Zl4
Cross -References Eminent domain, Title 70, ch. 30.
State airport acquisition, 67-2-301.
67-10-222. Airport property — disposal. Except as may be limited by
the terms and conditions of any grant, loan, or agreement pursuant to
67-10-405, every municipality may by sale, lease, or otherwise dispose of any
airport, air navigation facility, or other property or portion thereof or interest
therein acquired pursuant to this chapter. Such disposal by sale, lease, or
otherwise shall be in accordance with the laws of this state or provisions of the
charter of the municipality governing the disposition of other property of the
municipality or agency of the state or federal government for aeronautical
purposes incident thereto. The sale, lease, or other disposal may be effected in
such manner and upon such terms as the governing body of the municipality
may consider in the best interest of the municipality.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-811; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
67-10-223 through 67-10-230 reserved.
67-10-231. No limitation on airport hazard zoning. Nothing con-
tained in this chapter shall be construed to limit any right, power, or authority
of a municipality to regulate airport hazards by zoning.
History* En. Sec. 18, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-825; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
Cross -References No limitation on airport hazard zoning,
Zoning, Title 67, ch. 6, part 2. 67-11-241.
Municipal zoning, Title 76, ch. 2, part 3.
Part 3
Operation of Airports
67-10-301. Municipal regulation. (1) A municipality which has estab-
lished or acquired or which may establish or acquire an airport or air navigation
facility is authorized to adopt, amend, and repeal such reasonable ordinances,
resolutions, rules, and orders as it shall deem necessary for the management,
government, and use of such airport or air navigation facility under its control,
whether situated within or without the territorial limits of the municipality.
For the enforcement thereof, the municipality may, by ordinance or resolution,
as may by law be appropriate, appoint airport guards or police with full police
powers and fix penalties within the limits prescribed by law for the violation
of the ordinances, resolutions, rules, and orders. Said penalties shall be en-
forced in the same manner in which penalties prescribed by other ordinances
or resolutions of the municipality are enforced. To the extent that an airport
or other air navigation facility controlled and operated by a municipality is
located outside the territorial limits of the municipality, it shall, subject to
federal and state laws and rules, be under the jurisdiction and control of the
municipality controlling or operating it, and no other municipality shall have
any authority to charge or exact a license fee or occupation tax for operations
thereon.
(2) All ordinances, resolutions, rules, or orders which are issued by the
municipality shall be kept in substantial conformity with the laws of this state
or any regulations promulgated or standards established pursuant thereto and,
1275 M U N IU1FAL AlArvtUL 0
as nearly as may be, with the federal laws governing aeronautics and the rules
and standards duly issued thereunder.
History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-815.
Cross -References Joint Airport Board acting for municipal -
Airport police officers — employment and ity, 67-10-205.
education standards, 7-32-303. Tax exemption, 67-10-406.
Passenger terminals — fire protection and
safety regulations, 50-61-103.
67-10-302. Granting of operation and use privileges. (1) In operat-
ing an airport or air navigation facility owned, leased, or controlled by a
municipality, the municipality may, except as may be limited by the terms and
conditions of any grant, loan, or agreement pursuant to 67-10-405, enter into
contracts, leases, and other arrangements for a term not exceeding 40 years
with any persons:
(a) granting the privilege of using or improving the airport or air naviga-
tion facility or any portion or facility of or space in the airport or air navigation
facility for commercial purposes;
(b) conferring the privilege of supplying goods, commodities, things, serv-
ices, or facilities at the airport or air navigation facility; or
(c) making available services to be furnished by the municipality or its
agents at the airport or air navigation facility.
(2) In each case, the municipality may establish the terms and conditions
and fix the charges, rentals, or fees for the privileges or services, which must
be reasonable and uniform for the same class of privilege or service.
(3) . Except as may be limited by the terms and conditions of any grant,
loan, or agreement pursuant to 67-10-405, a municipality may by contract,
lease, or other arrangement, upon a consideration fixed by it, grant to any
qualified person for a term not to exceed 40 years the privilege of operating, as
agent of the municipality or otherwise, any airport owned or controlled by the
municipality; provided that the person may not be granted any authority to
operate the airport other than as a public airport or to enter into any contracts,
leases, or other arrangements in connection with the operation of the airport
which the municipality might not have undertaken under subsections (1) and
(2)•
History: En. Sec. 5, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-812; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 268, L.
1993.
Cross -References Airport all -beverages license fee, 16-4-501.
Airport all -beverages license, 16-4-208.
67-10-303. Delegation of authority. Any authority vested by this chap-
ter in a municipality or in the governing body thereof for the planning,
establishment, development, construction, enlargement, improvement, main-
tenance, equipment, operation, regulation, protection, and policing of airports
or other air navigation, facilities established, owned, or controlled or to be
established, owned, or controlled by the municipality may be vested by resolu-
tion of the governing body of the municipality in an officer or board or other
municipal agency whose powers and duties must be prescribed in the resolu-
tion. However, the expense of such planning, establishment, development,
construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment, operation,
regulation, protection, and policing is a responsibility of the municipality.
1276 1277 MUNICIPAL AIRPORTS v 1-1V--="V
History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-814; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
Part 4
Finance
67-10-401. Appropriations - taxation. The governing body of any
municipality having power to appropriate and raise money is authorized to
appropriate, and to raise by taxation or otherwise, sufficient money to carry
out the provisions and purposes of this chapter, within the limitations pre-
scribed by law.
History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-816; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
Cross -References Municipal tax levy, 67-11-301.
General powers of airport authority,
67-11-201.
67-10-402. Tax levy. (1) For the purpose of establishing, constructing,
equipping, maintaining, and operating airports, landing fields, and ports under
the provisions of this chapter and as provided in Title 7, chapter 14, part 11,
the county commissioners or the city or town council may each year assess and
levy, in addition to the annual levy for general administrative purposes or the
all-purpose levy authorized by 7-6-4451 and 7-6-4452, a tax on the dollar of
taxable value of the property of said county, city, or town:
(a) not to exceed 2 mills for airports and landing fields; and
(b) not to exceed 2 mills for ports.
(2) In the event of a jointly established airport, landing field, or port, the
county commissioners and the council or councils involved shall determine in
advance the levy necessary for such purposes and the proportion each political
subdivision joining in the venture must pay.
(3) No property within any political subdivision may be subject to a tax
pursuant to this section at an annual rate in excess of 2 mills for airports,
landing fields, or ports unless it is found that the levy is insufficient for the
purposes enumerated. In such a case the commissioners and councils acting
are authorized and empowered to contract an indebtedness on behalf of such
county, city, or town, as the case may be, upon the credit thereof by borrowing
money or issuing bonds for such purposes, provided that no bonds may be
issued for such purpose until the proposition has been submitted to the
qualified electors and a majority vote cast therefor, except as provided in
subsection (4).
(4) For the purpose of establishing a reserve fund to resurface, overlay, or
improve existing runways, taxiways, and ramps, the governing bodies may set
up annual reserve funds in their annual budget if.
(a) the reserve is approved by the governing bodies during the normal
budgeting procedure;
(b) the necessity to resurface or improve said runways by overlays or
similar methods every so many years is based upon competent engineering
estimates; and
(c) the funds are expended at least within each 10-year period.
(5) The reserve fund may not exceed at any time a competent engineering
estimate of the cost of resurfacing or overlaying the existing runways, taxiways,
and ramps of any one airport for each fund. The governing body of the airport
or port, if in its judgment it considers it advantageous, may invest the fund in
any interest -bearing deposits in a state or national bank insured by the FDIC
or obligations of the United States of America, either short-term or long-term.
Interest earned from such investments must be credited to the operations and
maintenance budget of the airport or port governing body. The above provi-
sions, notwithstanding other budget control measures and due to the unique-
ness of the subject matter, are declared necessary in the interests of the public
health and safety.
History: En. Sec. 4, Ch. 108, L. 1929; re -en. Sec. 5668.38, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 4,
Ch. 54, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 54, L. 1945; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 122, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 16,
Ch. 158, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 501, L. 1973; R.C.M. 19479 1-804; amd. Sec. 14, Ch. 140,
L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 231, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 18, Ch. 456, L. 1985.
Cross -References Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Ti-
All-purpose mill levy authorized, 7-6-4451. tle 32, ch. 1, part 6.
Maximum all-purpose mill levy, 7-64452.
Finance, Title 67, ch. 11, part 3.
67-10-403. Liens. To enforce the payment of charges for repairs or
improvements to or storage, service, or care of any aircraft or other personal
property made or furnished by an airport, person, or entity or an agent of an
airport, person, or entity in connection with the operation of an aircraft,
airport, or air navigation facility, the airport, person, entity, or agent has a lien
on the property, which is enforceable as provided by law.
History- En. Sec. 6, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-813; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 308, L.
1993.
Cross -References
Liens, Title 71, ch. 3.
67-10-404. Airport revenues and sale proceeds. The revenues ob-
tained by a municipality from the ownership, control, or operation of any
airport or air navigation facility, including proceeds from the sale of any airport
or portion thereof or air navigation facility property, must be deposited in a
special fund to be designated the ".... airport fund", which revenues must be
appropriated solely to, and used by the municipality for the purposes author-
ized by this chapter.
History: En. Sec. 10, Ch. 288, L. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 1-817; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
Cross -References
Deposit of revenues from certain sources in
all-purpose fund, 7-6-4133.
67-10-405. Federal and state money. (1) A municipality may accept,
receive, receipt for, disburse, and spend federal and state money and other
money, public or private, made available by grant or loan or both to accomplish
any of the purposes of this chapter. All federal money accepted under this
section must be accepted and spent by the municipality upon terms and
conditions prescribed by the United States and consistent with state law. All
state money accepted under this section must be accepted and spent by the
municipality upon terms and conditions prescribed by the state. Unless other-
wise prescribed by the agency from which the money is received, the chief
1278
financial officer of the municipality shall on its behalf deposit and keep
money received pursuant to this section in separate funall
ds, designated accord-
ing to the purposes for which the money is made available, in trust for those
Purposes.
(2) No application may be made by a municipality for federal aid, as
provided in this section, unless the "project application", as defined in the
Federal Airport Act of 1946 and regulations of the administrator of civil
aeronautics, is first approved by the department.
(3) A municipality may, with the approval and consent of the department,
designate the department as its agent to accept, receive, receipt for, and
disburse federal and state money and other money, public or private, made
available by grant or loan or both to accomplish any of the purposes of this
chapter. A municipality may, with the consent of the department, designate
the department as its agent in contracting for and supervising the planning,
acquisition, development, construction, improvement, or equipment of an
airport or other air navigation facility. All contracts made, let, or awarded by
the department acting as agent of a municipality under this section must be
made, let, or awarded pursuant to the laws governing the making of contracts
by or on behalf of the state. The municipality may enter into an agreement with
the department providing for payment to the department for services rendered
as agent and prescribing the terms and conditions of the agency, in accordance
with terms and conditions prescribed by the United States, if federal money is
involved and in accordance with applicable state law. All federal money ac-
cepted under this section by the department must be accepted and transferred
or spent by the department upon terms and conditions prescribed by the United
States. All money received by the department under this subsection must be
deposited in the state treasury and, unless otherwise prescribed by the agency
from which the money is received, must be kept in separate funds designated
according to the purposes for which the money is made available and held by
the state in trust for those purposes.
History: En. Sec. 11, Ch. 288, L. 1947, amd. Sec. 41, Ch. 348, L. 1974; R.C.M.
1-818; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 140, L. 1979. 1947,
Cross -References Airport property disposal, 67-10-222.
Federal aid, 67-2-403.
67-10-406. Tax exemption. Any property in this state acquired by a
municipality for airport purposes pursuant to the provisions of this chapter
and any income derived by such municipality from the ownership, operation,
or control thereof is exempt from taxation to the same extent as other property
used for public purposes. Any municipality is authorized to exempt from
municipal taxation any property acquired within its boundaries by a public
agency of another state for airport purposes and any income derived from such
property to the extent that such other states authorize similar exemptions from
taxation to municipalities of this state.
History: En. Sec. 16, Ch. 288, L. 1947, R.C.M. 1947, 1-823; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 140, L.
1979.
1279 A1HFUK1' AU•1•tiL)n111ZJ
CHAPTER 11
AIRPORT AUTHORITIES
Part 1 — Organization and General Provisions
67-11-101.
Short title.
67-11-102.
Municipal airport authority.
67-11-103.
Regional airport authority.
67-11-104.
Commissioners.
67-11-105.
Functions — public and governmental.
67-11-106.
Cooperation of municipality.
Part 2 —Powers
67-11-201. General powers of authority.
67-11-202. Rules.
67-11-203. Joint exercise of powers.
67-11-204. Joint board.
67-11-205. Joint fund.
67-11-206. Supplementary powers.
67-11-207 through 67-11-210 reserved.
67-11-211. Granting of operation and use privileges.
67-11-212 through 67-11-220 reserved.
67-11-221. Exercise of airport authority powers by department — exceptions.
67-11-222. Department control of airport operation and income.
67-11-223 through 67-11-230 reserved.
67-11-231. Airport property — acquisition by eminent domain.
67-11-232. Airport property — disposal.
67-11-233 through 67-11-240 reserved.
67-11-241. No limitation on airport hazard zoning.
Part 3 — Finance
67-11-301.
Municipal tax levy.
67-11-302.
County tax levy.
67-11-303.
Bonds and obligations.
67-11-304.
Reserve fund.
67-11-305.
Federal and state money.
67-11-306.
Tax exemption.
Part 4 — Extraterritorial Airports
67-11-401. out-of-state airport jurisdiction — reciprocity.
Chapter Cross -References
Port authorities, Title 7, ch. 14, part 11.
Part 1
Organization and General Provisions
67-11-101. Short title. This chapter may be cited as the "Airport
Authorities Act".
History: En. 1-925 by Sec. 24, Ch. 433, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 1-925.
67-11-102. Municipal airport authority. Any municipality may, by
resolution of its governing body, create a public body, corporate and politic, to
be known as a municipal airport authority which shall be authorized to exercise