Can you build a runway on your property?

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MidwestBob1389

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MidwestBob1389
My family has several hundred acres in the Midwest. I was wondering if anyone can build a runway? What are the requirements? Nothing for anyone else really. Just for myself to land and park and takeoff?
Thank you kindly!
 
Yes you can, but the rules vary from state to state, local zoning regulations vary too, from anything goes to no way.
 
The FAA doesn’t really address anything about this probably until you want to put it on a sectional chart. Any issues that might exist would be at the state or county

We had a couple of strips in MN that we put in without any need for approval, and in the one case the local electric company-op buried the power lines across the end for us.
 
As far as the FAA is concerned, all you need to do is file them notice (Form 7460-1) 45 days in advance of starting to build your runway. They will make a determination as to whether that is a good idea or not, but you are neither required to wait for that determination, nor does it stop you from building or using the runway. The WORST thing that the FAA can do is designate it as OBJECTIONABLE.

The bigger problem is always the local land use laws. Despite what some claim, you are not free to use land you own in any way you choose.
 
I would think when you own larger plots you have a higher chance of no CCRs, so that is something to check too.
 
mandm said:
I would think when you own larger plots you have a higher chance of no CCRs, so that is something to check too.
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CCRs are only part of the problem. Zoning in many areas would preclude this regardless of how big your lot is.
 
If you keep it grass, it's just a grass field. If you pave it, it's an asphalt field. Since it's your own property you will need to see state and county regulations for operation of aircraft. I don't think there are, but could be a local law against landing on your own property.
 
flyingron said:
CCRs are only part of the problem. Zoning in many areas would preclude this regardless of how big your lot is.
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I have called some counties before and asked questions about a parcel and they said they don’t have any jurisdiction over the parcel. Where does zoning come in if there are no CCRs or maybe that’s if the parcel is not part of any town?
 
CCRs have nothing to do with zoning. Zoning is land use planning and it depends on the municipality (county, etc....). While some rural areas may indeed be without zoning, just about all of the NE for example doesn't have anything where zoning isn't a factor in land use. Of course, I live in a county where the system is pretty damned corrupt, so it's always money that talks.
 
Zoning notwithstanding, It's also possible that there could be city or county codes prohibiting the operation of aircraft from other than designated airports.
 
Assuming no restricted airspace FAA does not care. Land use regulation and restrictions if you can have a runway would be dictated by the State/County/City municipal codes where you reside in and outlined their land use regulations...but remember, in terms of regulations legally if it is not prohibited it is allowed so the question should never be "may I..." rather the question needs to be "is there anything preventing me from...."
 
Shawn said:
Assuming no restricted airspace FAA does not care. Land use regulation and restrictions if you can have a runway would be dictated by the State/County/City municipal codes where you reside in and outlined their land use regulations...but remember, in terms of regulations legally if it is not prohibited it is allowed so the question should never be "may I..." rather the question needs to be "is there anything preventing me from...."
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I was driving to a jobsite last week and noticed one right next to an old two lane highway is why i was wondering. But evidently must not be too hard.. he has a crop duster I know.
 
mandm said:
I have called some counties before and asked questions about a parcel and they said they don’t have any jurisdiction over the parcel. Where does zoning come in if there are no CCRs or maybe that’s if the parcel is not part of any town?
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Thats how it is around here... I would have to talk to the county. As it is far outside and form any city.
 
I know in our county it requires a Special Use Variance from the County Planning and Zoning Board. Had a friend build one a few years back.
 
Many many years ago I use to live outside of Philadelphia and Lenard Tose (owned the Philadelphia Eagles - Go Birds!!!!) use to land his helicopter on his property, which was not too far from us. I believe it was the township regulations that eventually shut him down. We a 40 acre farm where I had a moto-cross track. From time time we would have a few friends over on a Saturday for some fun, but evenly the same township shut that down too.. My father fought them tooth and nail on the one, but eventually gave up as he sold the property, seems the didn't like my mother's horse boarding and training business either, with the trucks coming and going to pick up horses and take them to the horse shows

This is what happed when they develop and idiot move in... sound familiar to the situation we have with airports?
 
Mikey52 said:
If you keep it grass, it's just a grass field. If you pave it, it's an asphalt field. Since it's your own property you will need to see state and county regulations for operation of aircraft. I don't think there are, but could be a local law against landing on your own property.
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I had a client that built one and ended up paving it. He, apparently, didn't break any rules until he paved it.
 
Fiveslide said:
I had a client that built one and ended up paving it. He, apparently, didn't break any rules until he paved it.
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I know with our city, the property we are getting ready to build on, we can dig, fill, and even bring in gravel for a driveway with no permit, but the second we start putting down any asphalt or concrete that triggers the requirement for permits. Same for the building.
 
Shawn said:
Assuming no restricted airspace FAA does not care. Land use regulation and restrictions if you can have a runway would be dictated by the State/County/City municipal codes where you reside in and outlined their land use regulations...but remember, in terms of regulations legally if it is not prohibited it is allowed so the question should never be "may I..." rather the question needs to be "is there anything preventing me from...."
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Again, the FAA doesn't care period. It doesn't have the authority to tell you that you can't build an airport. If they think it's too close to something that makes it dangerous for you or the thing, the worst they can do is designate it OBJECTIONABLE.
 
MauleSkinner said:
They probably considered it wetlands that he destroyed.
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No, there were no wetlands near his runway. We were trying to do the civil engineering on his "project". He wanted to develope a fly-in neighborhood on a big tract he lived on, but didn't want to do anything the right way. His runway was there for years and years. He paved it without involving the county. Eventually went broke without ever completed his development, sold off everything but a few acres around his house. The development was eventually completed and the runway is still visible from aerial photos, but, according to GIS data, it's running through about 15 lots, none of which have sold.
 
Farm country in Eastern Washington, I know of several guys operating off of field roads on their property. The "hangar" is just another outbuilding. Its well outside city limits and away from any structures. So, who know, and who cares?!!
 
If it were me, I'd build a grass drag strip for my personal use. Then I'd see if I could land on the drag strip.

But in all seriousness, I think the type of runway is important. Here in upstate NY, you'd want grass, with a crown on it like a football field or road so the water drains off. Grass makes a great runway, and the grass and grading keeps it less likely to be muddy. But if you live someplace where grass doesn't grow easily/by itself, maybe you want something else. I kinda wouldn't want gravel because of it being thrown up on the plane, but that's just me and maybe I'm being too risk averse again.
 
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