Hazard Area Regulations

The Houston Airport Commission held two public hearings on proposed regulations to control airport hazard areas.  The first was on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas, 77002, and the second was Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the same location. Houston City Council held a public hearing on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 9:00 am in the City Council Chambers, City Hall Annex, 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas, 77002.

The purpose of the public hearings was to allow interested citizens to be heard concerning a proposed ordinance to be codified in Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances, Houston, Texas, for controlling airport hazard areas in the vicinity of Bush Intercontinental, Hobby and Ellington Airports, as required by the Federal Aviation Administration. The final Airport Hazard Area Regulations Ordinance was passed by Houston City Council December 16, 2009 and made effective March 1, 2010.

To view the FAA letter to Houston Airports regarding airport hazard regulations - Click Here

To view a copy of the Final Airport Hazard Area Ordinance- Click Here

To view the George Bush Intercontinental Map - Click Here

To view the William P. Hobby Airport Map - Click Here

To view the Ellington Airport Map - Click Here

To visit the FAA's website - Click Here

Airport Hazard Area Info Line - 1-281-233-1366

To send us your questions - Click Here

These proposed regulations will protect the airspace around all three Houston Airport System airports. Penetrations into federally described airspace by buildings, cell towers, trees and other obstructions can alter and restrict the use of these airports and can pose a danger to aircraft and persons on the ground. The major impact to development will be to limit the height of a structure above ground level. The GIS mapping application at the bottom of this page will enable individuals and city staff to identify height limitations.

Houston Airports provides a vital economic engine for Houston’s economy. This department of the City of Houston, operates the three major airports serving the City of Houston and the Greater Houston metropolitan region -- George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), William P. Hobby (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD).

The Houston airports are a major contributor to the economic growth and vitality of the greater Houston region. 

Houston’s population, employment and economic growth are fueled in large part by the Houston Airports and the passenger and cargo flights that connect Houston to the rest of the U.S. and international markets. Houston’s stature as a premier gateway to the world can only be sustained by a vibrant and thriving air transportation system, able to support and create new opportunities for travel and trade for Houston-area residents, businesses and visitors.

More than 54 million passengers who traveled through the Houston Airports in 2016 are projected to grow to 80 million by the year 2020. To accommodate this rapid growth, the Houston Airport System will need to continually improve and expand airport facilities and capacity.

To use an interactive map to determine if your property is subject to the proposed ordinance, please visit https://mycity.houstontx.gov/has/has.html