Do I need to file FAA Form 7460-1?
Anyone building or putting up a crane near an airport may have to notify the FAA at least 45 days before work starts. Here's exactly when Form 7460-1 is required — and a free check for your spot.
Updated 2026-10-03 · Not legal advice — always confirm with the agency.
The rule: 14 CFR 77.9
You must notify the FAA — by filing Form 7460-1, “Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration”, through the FAA's OE/AAA website — if your proposed structure meets any of these criteria:
| Criterion | Notice required when… |
|---|---|
| 77.9(a) | The structure is more than 200 feet above ground level, anywhere. |
| 77.9(b)(1) | Within 20,000 feet of a public-use or military airport with at least one runway longer than 3,200 feet, it rises above a 100:1 slope from the nearest point of the nearest runway. |
| 77.9(b)(2) | Within 10,000 feet of a public-use or military airport whose runways are all 3,200 feet or shorter, it rises above a 50:1 slope. |
| 77.9(b)(3) | Within 5,000 feet of a public-use heliport, it rises above a 25:1 slope. |
| 77.9(c)–(d) | Highways, railroads and roads (adjusted heights for vehicles), and any construction on a public-use airport. |
A 100:1 slope means 1 foot of height for every 100 feet of distance, measured from the runway's elevation. So 5,000 feet from a long runway, anything taller than 50 feet above the runway's elevation needs notice.
When and how to file
- File at least 45 days before construction starts, or before applying for a construction permit, whichever is earlier.
- File online through OE/AAA (oeaaa.faa.gov). Filing is free.
- You'll need: coordinates to the nearest hundredth of a second (NAD 83), site ground elevation, structure height above ground and above mean sea level, and structure type.
- The FAA issues a determination — usually “Determination of No Hazard”, sometimes with marking and lighting requirements.
Common questions
Does this apply to a house or a small building?
Only if it exceeds the slope near an airport. Close to a runway, even a two-story house can need notice.
Do cranes need a 7460-1?
Yes, if the crane at full height exceeds the criteria. Temporary construction equipment is treated like a structure and needs its own filing.
What about private airports?
The slope criteria apply to public-use and military airports and public-use heliports. Private-use airports don't trigger the slope criteria (the 200-foot rule still applies everywhere).
Is the free check an FAA determination?
No. It's a screening using FAA runway data and USGS elevations. Confirm with the FAA's Notice Criteria Tool and file through OE/AAA.