Airport vendor requirements in California

Vendors and subcontractors count as Airport Businesses at BUR and need the Director's prior written approval, through a permit or contract, before doing any paid work. Insurance types and amounts are set by the Director and are not published. To drive on the AOA you need a SIDA badge; a new badge is $60 plus $30 fingerprinting.

At John Wayne a mobile detailer or mechanic cannot work independently: a SASO must operate through a sublease with a Full Service or Limited Service FBO, and FBO subcontractors need the Airport Director's written approval before any work. Insurance types and limits are set by the Airport Director in each agreement, and sublessees and subcontractors must carry the same coverages as their operator. The one published number is $1M combined single limit liability for registering a vehicle on the AOA.

Vendors deal with the Port of Oakland, which publishes Minimum Standards, Airport Rules and Regulations (Port Administrative Code Chapter 8.01) and an annual rates and charges ordinance, but these could not be read for this review. Badging is the clearest published process: an Authorized Signer from your sponsoring company submits the application, and you pay a $50 fingerprint fee and $25 badge fee at the first appointment. The airport and its tenants operate under the California Industrial General Permit for stormwater, so plan on no wash water reaching storm drains.

Vendors deal with the City of San Jose Airport Department, and the rules sit in Title 25 of the San Jose Municipal Code plus the Airport Minimum Standards (Revised September 2023). Anyone doing aircraft maintenance for pay on the field needs a Mobile Aircraft Maintenance Permit (greater of $25 a month or 15% of gross, $100 deposit) unless they work under a lease that allows maintenance; other paid work not covered elsewhere needs an "airport commercial operation permit". Washing and cleaning are not "maintenance" under the code, and GA wash water must go through oil/water separators to the sanitary sewer.

Selling services at Van Nuys needs the written consent of the Airport Manager. In practice you work through an FBO or tenant: the FBO must positively identify vendors before ramp access, and only LAWA-approved tenants and subtenants can hold vehicle permits. Vehicles on the AOA need a LAWA MVOP decal or an escort, and decals are not issued until LAWA Risk Management approves your insurance. Wet washing is banned outside designated wash areas; dry washing and polishing on the ramp are allowed.