67-5-201. Regulation of building heights. (1) The height of buildings and other structures shall be regulated for the purposes set forth in 67-5-101, considering among other things:
     (a) requirements and facilities necessary to secure the safe descent, landing, ascent, and operation of aircraft utilizing the public airports and landing fields in the state of Montana;
     (b) hazards from the obstruction of air space and the relation of the height of buildings and other structures in the vicinity of such airports and landing fields to such hazards;
     (c) the area within which buildings and other structures may dangerously obstruct air space in the vicinity of public airports and landing fields and the height of buildings or other structures within such area which is consistent with the safe use of such airports and landing fields; and
     (d) the maintenance and use of either obstruction markers or lights, or both, upon buildings and other structures within such area as safety devices.
     (2) The height of buildings and other structures is regulated and restricted within a distance of 2 miles from any public airport or landing field, measured at a right angle from any side or in a radial line from any corner of the established boundary line thereof, in any and all directions, as follows:
     (a) The trapezoidal portion of the total 2-mile zone area, 500 feet in width at the boundary of the field or airport and broadening to a width of 2,500 feet 2 miles distant, the centerline of which is a continuation of the centerline of each runway at and upon such public airports and landing fields, known as the approach zone, may have no building or other structure or natural feature or object of any kind therein, the height of which is more than one-twentieth its distance from the nearest boundary of the airport or landing field.
     (b) The remaining portion of the 2-mile zone area surrounding such public airports and landing fields, lying between the approach zones and known as turning zones, may have no building or other structure or natural feature or object of any kind therein, the height of which is more than one-seventh its distance from the nearest boundary of the airport or landing field.
     (3) In measuring distances and heights to determine the zone standard, measurements shall be taken from the nearest side of the building or structure or other object to the nearest side of the airport or landing field. In the event of airports having boundaries not regular, the nearest established perimeter of such port and field shall be used, as distinguished from the actual boundary.

     History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 12, L. 1939; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 232, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 1-702.