A. Every municipality and county or other political subdivision having within its territorial limits an area within which, according to an airport approach plan adopted by the legislative body, measures should be taken for the protection of airport approaches, shall adopt, administer and enforce, under the police power and in the manner and upon the conditions hereinafter prescribed, airport zoning regulations applicable to such area, which regulations shall divide the area into zones and within such zones, specify the land uses permitted, regulate and restrict the height to which structures and trees may be erected or allowed to grow, and impose such other restrictions and requirements as may be necessary to effectuate the legislative body's approach plan for the airport.

B. In the event that a political subdivision has adopted, or hereafter adopts, a general zoning ordinance regulating, among other things, the height of buildings, any airport zoning regulations adopted for the same area or portion thereof under the Municipal Airport Zoning Law [3-39-16 to 3-39-26 NMSA 1978] may be incorporated and made a part of such general zoning regulations, and be administered and enforced in connection therewith, but such general zoning regulations shall not limit the effectiveness or scope of the regulations adopted under this act.

C. Any zoning or other regulations applicable to any area within which, according to an airport approach plan adopted by the legislative body, measures should be taken for the protection of airport approaches, including not only any airport zoning regulations adopted under Sections 3-39-16 through 3-39-26 NMSA 1978, but any zoning or other regulations dealing with the same or similar matters, that have been or may be adopted under authority other than that conferred by Sections 3-39-16 through 3-39-26 NMSA 1978, shall be consistent with, and conform to, the legislative body's approach plan for such area, and shall be amended from time to time as may be necessary to conform to any revision of the plan that may be made by the legislative body.

D. All airport zoning regulations adopted under Sections 3-39-16 through 3-39-26 NMSA 1978, shall be reasonable and none shall require the removal, lowering or other change or alteration of any structure or tree not conforming to the regulations when adopted or amended, or otherwise interfere with the continuance of any nonconforming use, except as provided in Section 3-39-21 NMSA 1978.

History: 1953 Comp., § 14-40-18, enacted by Laws 1965, ch. 300.

Cross references. — For zoning regulations, see 3-21-1 NMSA 1978 et seq.

Law reviews. — For note, "County Regulation of Land Use and Development," see 9 Nat. Resources J. 266 (1969).

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 8 Am. Jur. 2d Aviation §§ 58, 59.