Residential through-the-fence (RTTF) agreements allow people who own residential property with aircraft storage facilities near an airport to access the airport from off-airport property. These properties are sometimes known as "hangar homes." On February 14, 2012, the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 was signed into law (P.L. 112-95). Section 136 of this law permits general aviation airports, as defined by the statute, to enter into residential through-the-fence agreements with property owners or association representing property owners for noncommercial use. RTTF agreements must comply with specific terms and conditions contained in the law. Section 185 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-254) was signed into law on October 5, 2018.  Section 185 permits the grandfathering of certain RTTF agreements that are noncommercial, and considered perpetual and cannot be readily changed.  However, the law also provides that if the agreement can be modified, then section 185 does not apply.

Law, Policy, and FAA Guidance

• Section 185 of FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-254) (PDF)
• Section 136 of FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95) (PDF)
• Policy Regarding Access to Airports from Residential Property (78 FR 42419, July 16, 2013) (PDF)
• Compliance Guidance Letter (CGL) 2021-03: FAA Review of Existing and Proposed Residential Through-the-Fence Access Agreements (PDF) - (added 10/13/2021)
• Previous Federal Register Notices on RTTF
  • Proposed Policy Regarding Access to Airports from Residential Property (77 FR 44515, July 30, 2012) (PDF)
  • Interim Policy Regarding Access to Airport from Residential Property (76 FR 15028, March 18, 2011) (PDF)
  • Notice of Proposed Policy Airport Improvement Program (AIP): Policy Regarding Access to Airports From Residential Property (75 FR 54946; September 9, 2010) (PDF)

Tools for General Aviation Airports

• FAA's Interpretation of Section 136 of FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (PDF)
• FAA Recommendations for Airport Sponsors Considering Residential Through-the-Fence Access Agreements (PDF)
• Access Agreement Review Sheet for GA Sponsors with Existing Access (Appendix C to CGL 2013-1) (PDF)
• Access Agreement Review Sheet for GA Sponsors Proposing New Access (Appendix G to CGL 2013-1) (PDF)
• Sample Access Agreement and Review Sheet (PDF)

Tools for Grandfathered Commercial Service Airports

• Final Policy on Existing Through-the-Fence Access to Commercial Service Airports from a Residential Property (PDF)
• Required Documentation and Narrative from Commercial Service Airport Sponsors with Existing Access (Appendix E to CGL 2013-1) (PDF)
• Sample Access Plan (PDF)
• Sample Sponsor Certification (MS Word)
• Required Documentation and Supplemental Standards for Commercial Service Airport Sponsors Proposing to Extend/Renew Access (Appendix I to CGL 2013-1) (PDF)
• Special Grant Condition for Residential Through-the-Fence Access to Commercial Service Airports (PDF)

General Tools

• Airport Sponsor Assurances (PDF)
  See Federal Register Notice Changing Grant Assurance 5: Preserving Rights and Powers and Grant Assurance 29: Airport Layout Plans (77 FR 22376) (PDF)
• Special Condition for Airport Layout Plan Approval (PDF)
• Sample RTTF Summary Table (MS Excel)
• Examples of Rate-Setting Methodologies (PDF)