§ 5915 — Airport zoning requirements

(a) Reasonableness.--All airport zoning regulations adopted under this subchapter shall be reasonable; none shall impose any requirement or restriction unless it is reasonably necessary to effectuate the purpose of this subchapter. In determining what regulations it may adopt, each municipality and joint airport zoning board shall consider, among other factors, the character of the flying operations expected to be conducted at the airport, the nature of the terrain within the airport hazard area, the character of the neighborhood and the uses to which the property to be zoned is put and adaptable.

(b) Nonconforming uses.--No airport zoning regulations adopted under this subchapter may require the removal, lowering or other change or alteration of any structure or any object of natural growth not conforming to the regulations when adopted or amended or otherwise interfere with the continuance of any nonconforming use, except as provided in section 5916 (relating to permits and variances).

(c) Model ordinance.--A municipality shall adopt, either in full or by reference, any provision of any model zoning ordinance or other similar guidelines suggested or published by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States Department of Transportation regarding airport hazard areas.