Leash Up: New Airport Ordinance Targets Loose Animals, Permit Compliance

On Tuesday, April 7, the City Council approved a new ordinance requiring animals to be leashed or otherwise securely restrained on airport property.

The ordinance makes three changes to the airport code: restricting animals, clarifying permit requirements for commercial activity and updating language around unauthorized access to aircraft movement areas.

The new rule is intended to reduce safety risks posed by loose animals.

"Unrestrained animals can create various safety concerns, including potential conflicts with other animals, distractions to airport users and unexpected movements that could interfere with airport operations," said city staff in an April 7 report.

The ordinance would also make clearer that commercial and business activities on airport property require the proper city-issued permits and licenses.

The report said the change is aimed at improving enforceability and ensuring consistent compliance with safety, insurance and zoning requirements among airport tenants and operators.

The ordinance also updates language in the code section covering unauthorized access to aircraft movement areas — including runways and taxiways, where the city says controlled access is essential to preventing pedestrians, vehicles and other intrusions that could interfere with aircraft operations or reduce pilot awareness.

City staff said the changes are part of periodic updates to the airport code and are designed to improve safety and operational consistency.