CHAPTER 720
IOWA AIRPORT REGISTRATION
[Prior to 6/3/87, Transportation Department [820]—(04,C)Ch 1]
761—720.1(328) Scope. This chapter establishes registration and registration renewal requirements and minimum safety standards for airports open for use by the public. It also establishes airport closing requirements.
[ARC 6616C, IAB 11/2/22, effective 12/7/22]
761—720.2(328) Definitions. The definitions in Iowa Code section 328.1 and rule 761—700.1(328) shall apply to this chapter. In addition:
“Obstruction” means any structure, object of natural growth, or use of land that impedes the airspace required for the takeoff or landing of aircraft at an airport.
“Private use” means available for use by the owner or by the owner and other persons authorized by the owner.
“Public use” means available for use by the general public without prior approval from the owner or operator.
761—720.3(328)  Contact information. Questions regarding this chapter may be directed to the Modal Transportation Bureau, Iowa Department of Transportation, 800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010; telephone (515)239-1468; or through the department’s website at www.iowadot.gov.
[ARC 6616C, IAB 11/2/22, effective 12/7/22]
761—720.4(328) Public-use airport. Airport registration requirements apply to public-use airports.
	720.4(1) Registration. When construction of a new airport is completed, the sponsor shall notify the department. The department shall inspect the airport and, if the airport is in compliance with the minimum safety standards designated by the department, shall issue the airport a public-use airport certificate of registration.
	720.4(2) Registration renewal. Each public-use airport shall apply annually for a registration renewal on a form provided by the department. The department shall issue a public-use airport certificate of registration to a public-use airport if the airport is in compliance with the minimum safety standards designated by the department.
	720.4(3) Airport inspection. Each registered public-use airport is subject to inspection by the department at any reasonable time. If the inspection by the department reveals an unsafe condition or a failure to meet the minimum safety standards, the department shall record that fact and shall notify the airport sponsor in writing with necessary corrective actions. Failure to implement corrective actions may result in airport registration revocation or denial. An FAA inspection of an airport certified under 14 CFR Part 139 may be accepted in lieu of an inspection by the department.
	720.4(4) Posting. The airport certificate of registration shall be posted in a prominent place available to the public at the airport. If there are no buildings at the airport, the certificate shall be displayed at the office of the airport manager or caretaker.
[ARC 3301C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17; ARC 5943C, IAB 10/6/21, effective 11/10/21; ARC 6616C, IAB 11/2/22, effective 12/7/22]
761—720.5(328) Private-use airport. Rescinded ARC 6616C, IAB 11/2/22, effective 12/7/22.
761—720.6(328) Revocation or denial. The department may revoke or deny a certificate of registration or certificate of site approval pursuant to Iowa Code section 328.19.
761—720.7 to 720.9  Reserved.
761—720.10(328) Minimum safety standards. The minimum safety standards for a public-use airport are as follows:
	720.10(1) Obstruction-free area.
	a. 	The following areas of the airport shall be free of any obstructions with the exception of operational and frangible equipment that is essential for operation of the airport:
	(1)	Within 30 feet of runway edge markers along the entire length of a nonpaved runway.
	(2)	Within 125 feet of the centerline of a paved runway.
	(3)	Within 200 feet of the end of any paved runway.
	(4)	In no case shall a building be closer than 50 feet from a prepared runway surface. If buildings are on both sides of a runway, they shall be no closer than 125 feet from the runway centerline.
	b. 	An object of natural growth, terrain, or permanent or temporary construction within the areas listed in paragraph “a” of this subrule shall be removed by the sponsor.
	c. 	The following areas of the airport shall be free of all agricultural activities (i.e., crops or farm equipment) in excess of 8 inches in height:
	(1)	Within 50 feet of paved runway surfaces and 200 feet from paved runway ends.
	(2)	Within 60 feet of a nonpaved runway centerline.
	(3)	Within a 100-foot radius of automated weather observing system equipment.
	720.10(2) Runway.
	a. 	Width. The minimum usable prepared runway width shall be 50 feet.
	b. 	Marking.
	(1)	Paved runways. Paved runways shall be marked in accordance with FAA Circular 150/5340-1M (Standards for Airport Markings) as amended through May 10, 2019.
	(2)	Nonpaved runways. Airport markers shall be approved by the modal transportation bureau. Markers shall be placed 200 feet apart outlining the length of the landing surface. Thresholds shall be marked using six markers placed perpendicular to the runway heading.
	c. 	Line of sight. The runway sight distance shall provide an unobstructed line of sight from any point 5 feet above the runway surface to any other point 5 feet above the runway surface for the entire length of the runway; or the sponsor shall post in a conspicuous location a warning about the obstruction in the line of sight.
	d. 	Temporary warning. Any part of the runway environment other than the runway which has become temporarily unsafe, or for any reason is not available for use, shall be marked by suitable flags, barriers or flares clearly showing the boundaries of the unsafe or unusable area.
	e. 	Building location. Rescinded IAB 7/4/07, effective 8/8/07.
	720.10(3) Approach zones.
	a. 	Approaches shall be clear of obstructions above a glide path of 20:1 from the ends of each usable runway. If an obstruction exists in an approach zone, the runway threshold on a paved runway shall be displaced in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-1M (Standards for Airport Markings) as amended through May 10, 2019. On a nonpaved runway, the runway end markers shall be relocated to provide the prescribed obstruction clearance. The runway length remaining between the displaced threshold and the departure end of the runway is the landing distance available.
	b. 	When the approach zone to any runway crosses a road or railroad, the glide path on a 20:1 ratio shall pass at least 17 feet above an interstate highway, 15 feet above any other public roadway, 10 feet above a private road, and 23 feet above a railroad.
	720.10(4) Facilities. The airport shall provide all of the following facilities:
	a. 	Wind indicator. The airport shall be equipped with a wind sock, blaze orange in color, which shall be clearly visible from the traffic pattern altitude within one mile of the airport during daylight hours. If the airport is lighted for night operation, the wind sock shall also be lighted.
	b. 	Lighting. If an airport is lighted for night operation, the system shall be lighted from dusk to dawn. An operable air-to-ground controller for the lighting system will meet this requirement.
	c. 	Telephone. A telephone shall be available for public use.
	d. 	Fire extinguisher. At least one operational class B and class C fire extinguisher capable of extinguishing all classes of fires shall be readily accessible to aircraft fueling or ramp areas.
[ARC 3301C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17; ARC 5943C, IAB 10/6/21, effective 11/10/21]
761—720.11 to 720.14  Reserved.
761—720.15(328) Airport closing.
	720.15(1) Notice. When an airport ceases operation for any reason, the sponsor shall notify the department, return the registration certificate and mark the landing area to clearly indicate that the airport is closed to air traffic.
	720.15(2) Marking. All marking indicating a usable runway shall be obliterated. The sponsor shall place at a central location a yellow X in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-1M (Standards for Airport Markings) as amended through May 10, 2019.
	720.15(3) Temporary closing. When conditions require the temporary closing of a runway, it shall be marked on both ends with a yellow X in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 150/5340-1M (Standards for Airport Markings) as amended through May 10, 2019.
	720.15(4) Repayment of financial assistance. Within 30 days of closing an airport (other than temporary closing), the sponsor shall request from the department a review of contractual obligations that require repayment of financial assistance. The department will provide a determination detailing grant obligations that must be repaid. Any repayment of grants must be made to the department in no more than five equal annual installments, beginning one year from the airport’s closure date. If an alternative future use of the airport facility is planned for a project that creates jobs and expands the economy, the sponsor may, within 30 days of the department’s determination, request forgiveness of repayment. The request must include a plan detailing the alternative future use of the airport facility, an explanation of how the alternative future use creates jobs and expands the economy, a cost-benefit analysis from the sponsor, a commitment of private investment in the project equal to at least two times the amount of repayment due to the state, and a commitment from the sponsor, or associated political subdivision(s), to complete the alternative use project within five years. The department will review the request for forgiveness of repayment and approve or deny the request within 60 days of receipt.
[ARC 3301C, IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17; ARC 5943C, IAB 10/6/21, effective 11/10/21]
These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code sections 328.1, 328.12, 328.19 as amended by 2022 Iowa Acts, House File 2124, and 328.35 and 2016 Iowa Acts, chapter 1131, section 3.
[Filed 8/3/76, Notice 6/14/76—published 8/23/76, effective 9/27/76]
[Filed 5/11/87, Notice 3/11/87—published 6/3/87, effective 7/8/87]
[Filed 9/2/87, Notice 7/15/87—published 9/23/87, effective 10/28/87]
[Filed 12/5/90, Notice 10/3/90—published 12/26/90, effective 1/30/91]
[Filed 1/15/92, Notice 12/11/91—published 2/5/92, effective 3/11/92]
[Filed 12/16/93, Notice 11/10/93—published 1/5/94, effective 2/9/94]
[Filed 12/17/03, Notice 11/12/03—published 1/7/04, effective 2/11/04]
[Filed 6/14/07, Notice 4/25/07—published 7/4/07, effective 8/8/07]
[Filed ARC 3301C (Notice ARC 3128C, IAB 6/21/17), IAB 8/30/17, effective 10/4/17]
[Filed ARC 5943C (Notice ARC 5805C, IAB 7/28/21), IAB 10/6/21, effective 11/10/21]
[Filed ARC 6616C (Notice ARC 6477C, IAB 8/24/22), IAB 11/2/22, effective 12/7/22]