Wireless Towers
Standards for Wireless Communications Facilities can be found in Municipal Code Title 20, 20.40.160.
Ordinary Maintenance
Ordinary maintenance of existing facilities and support structures shall be exempt from zoning requirements. Ordinary maintenance includes inspections, testing and modifications that maintain functional capacity, and aesthetic integrity. Ordinary maintenance includes:
- Replacing existing antennas with antennas of a similar size and color;
- Replacing accessory equipment with equivalent accessory equipment within an existing facility, and;
- Relocating the antennas of approved facilities to different height levels on an existing support structure upon which they are currently located. Ordinary maintenance does not include minor and major modifications.
Minor Modifications
Minor modifications can only occur to an existing facility that has been previously permitted and is not considered a substantial change as noted below. Each existing facility can use the minor modification process for an increase in height only once. Further modification will be considered a major modification and will require compliance with all applicable sections.
Major Modifications
A proposed modification will be considered a major modification and substantial change if it meets the following criteria:
- It increases the height of the tower by more than ten percent, or by the height of one additional antenna array with separation from the nearest existing antenna not to exceed 20 feet, whichever is greater; for other support structures, it increases the height of the structure by more than ten percent or more than ten feet, whichever is greater;
- It involves adding an appurtenance to the body of the tower that would protrude from the edge of the tower more than 20 feet, or more than the width of the tower structure at the level of the appurtenance, whichever is greater; for other support structures, it involves adding an appurtenance to the body of the structure that would protrude from the edge of the structure by more than six feet;
- For any support structure, it involves installation of more than the standard number of new equipment cabinets for the technology involved, but not to exceed four cabinets; or the installation of any new equipment cabinets on the ground if there are no pre-existing ground cabinets associated with the structure; or involves installation of ground cabinets that are more than ten percent larger in height or overall volume than any other ground cabinets associated with the structure;
- It involves excavation outside the current existing facility site, defined as the current boundaries of the leased or owned property surrounding the existing structure and any access or utility easements currently related to the site;
- The proposed antenna would defeat the concealment elements of the current existing facility site; or
- The proposed antenna does not comply with the conditions associated with the prior approval of the existing structure unless the non-compliance is due to an increase in height, increase in width, addition of cabinets, or new excavation that does not exceed corresponding substantial change thresholds.
Select the scope of work to determine what permit type(s) to apply for
Where required, buffers and screening must be provided in accordance with 20.65.060 and 20.65.070.
Screening may require a fence or building permit dependent on the size of the screen.
Upgrading antennas and other equipment on an existing cell tower. Antenna upgrades will include replacing antennas with new antennas with different dimensions or adding new antennas. No changes will be made to the ground equipment, tower height or compound size; no high voltage electrical work is planned.
Zoning Approval Required? Yes.
Building Permit Required? No.
You should: Apply for a Zoning Compliance Permit
Upgrading antennas and other equipment on an existing cell tower and upgrading the equipment on the ground; which will include high voltage electrical work. Antenna upgrades will include replacing antennas with new antennas with different dimensions or adding new antennas. No changes will be made to the tower height or compound size.
Zoning Approval Required? Yes.
Building Permit Required? No. Electrical permit only.
You should apply for a Zoning Compliance Permit and Electrical permit.
Adding concrete pad or platform for ground equipment, electrical meter, cabinets/shelter, antennas, transmission lines and other ancillary equipment to an existing cell tower. All work will be within the existing compound. No change to tower height.
Zoning Approval Required? Yes.
Building Permit Required? Yes. Building and electrical permits, possibly mechanical if any HVAC work is completed.
You should apply for a Building Permit and Electrical permit. A Mechanical permit may be required if any HVAC work will occur.
Adding a microwave antenna and ODU (remote radio unit) to an existing cell tower with transmission cable. No changes will be made to the tower height or compound size; no high voltage electrical work is planned.
Zoning Approval Required? Yes.
Building Permit Required? No.
You should: Apply for a Zoning Compliance Permit
Adding a concrete pad, one new generator with a diesel belly tank, automatic transfer switch with associated equipment and an electrical breaker to the power panel at an existing cell tower. All work to be completed within the existing compound.
Zoning Approval Required? Yes.
Building Permit Required? Yes. Building and electrical permits.
You should apply for a Building Permit and Electrical permit.