USA City Ordinances To Limit And Control Wireless Facilities Small Cells In Rights Of Ways
LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES & ORDINANCES TO REGULATE AND CONTROL WIRELESS FACILITIES SMALL CELLS
Importantly, federal pre-emption has been exaggerated. Local governments do have authority to impose procedural requirements for example. Please consider these two useful documents that came out of the efforts in Montgomery County Maryland by the law office of Mark C. Del Bianco and which clarify what localities can and cannot do in terms of procedural requirements for companies.
- 10/2018 Memo: “Federal Law Does Not Prohibit the County from Imposing Stricter Procedural Requirements on Wireless Facilities Than on Other Pole Attachments” and “Summary of Proposed FCC Small Cell Order”
See more resources on 5G – including the research in health effects and impacts to people, trees and wildlife here. Wireless radiation has harmful biological effects levels far below government limits.
Examples of areas addressed in these ordinances:
LOCATION
- Prohibiting small cell installations in residential areas, certain streets, etc
- Requiring installations to be a certain distance away from residences, schools, hospitals, and/or other installations
- Specifying that installations must be relocated if/when they would interfere with a public project
AESTHETICS / ENVIRONMENT
- Aesthetic, design, and noise requirements such as colocation, camouflage, height and light limits, etc.
ADMINISTRATIVE / LEGAL
- Requiring that residents who will be within a certain distance of an installation be notified
- Instating automatic time limits for permits
- Requiring annual recertification fees
- Requiring permittees to defend and indemnify the city from any liabilities arising from permits and the installation, operation and maintenance of small cell installations
- Reserving the right to hire independent consultants at the applicant’s expense
OTHER
- Appointing a committee to study the viability of a fiber optic network
EXAMPLES OF POLICIES & ORDINANCES
Petaluma, California: Ordinance of the City Council of Petaluma
- Protect environmental resources; protect residents against adverse health effects
- Protect visual character; don’t create visual blight
- Protect environmental resources; protect residents against adverse health effects
- Commercial or industrial zones
- Antennas must connect to an already existing utility pole that can support its weight.
- Servicing wires must be installed within the width of the existing utility.
- All ground-mounted equipment not to be installed inside the pole must be undergrounded, flush to the ground, within three (3) feet of the utility pole.
- Dedicated power source to be installed and metered separately.
- 1,500 feet minimum between each Small Cell facility.
- No Small Cell shall be within 200 feet of any residence.
- An encroachment permit must be obtained for any work in the right-of-way.
Petaluma, California: Ordinance of the City Council of Petaluma PDF
Fairfax, California: Urgency Ordinance to Establish New Regulations for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities; Ad hoc committee to study viability of fiber network
Ordinance modeled after Mill Valley’s:
- Small cells prohibited in residential zones
- 1500 feet separation
- City to study citywide fiberoptic cable network.
News: Marin Independent Journal Fairfax to study fiber-optic broadband amid protest against 5G
Warren Connecticut
This policy defines adequate coverage and adequate capacity. It details that it was designed “to locate towers and/or antennas in a manner which protects property values, as well as the general safety, health, welfare and quality of life of the citizens of Warren and all those who visit this community, minimize the total number and height of towers throughout Warren, and provide standards and requirements for the regulation, placement, design, appearance, construction, monitoring, modification and removal of telecommunications facilities and towers.”
- “Coverage is considered to be “adequate” within that area surrounding a Base Station where the predicted or measured median field strength of the transmitted signal is such that the majority of the time, transceivers properly installed and operated will be able to communicate with the base station. In the case of cellular communications in a rural environment like Warren, this would be a signal strength of at least -90 dBm for at least 75% of the coverage area. It is acceptable for there to be holes within the area of Adequate Coverage where the signal is less than -90 dBm, as long as the signal regains its strength to greater than -90 dBm further away from the Base Station.”
- “Capacity is considered to be “adequate” if the Grade of Service (GOS) is p.05 or better for median traffic levels offered during the typical busy hour, as assessed by direct measurement of the Personal Wireless Service Facility in question.”
TOWN OF WARREN SECTION 29 – SPECIAL PERMIT FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS: FACILITIES AND TOWERS December 11, 2012, Warren website link
Burlington, Massachusetts: Town of Burlington Policy Applications for Small Cell Wireless Installations, October 22, 2018
- Small Cell Committee drafted policy with annual recertification fees. Verizon withdrew its application, concerned by the precedent it would set and questioning its legality.
- Verizon attorney Mr. Klasnick stated “My client respectfully requests to withdraw the petition rather than have a fee,” he said.(BCATTV)
According to BCATTV Verizon Drops Small Cell Wireless Booster Application in Face of Fees:
“This week Selectman Jim Tigges, the board’s representative on the Small Cells Committee, said the group had come up with a new policy for small cell applications. The policy contains a number of provisions while filing an application, including setting installation fees, listing the town department that must receive a copy for review and setting up the timeline for approval.
The Verizon application, however, would not be subject to the policy because it was submitted before its adoption. However, Tigges and the committee did have a number of conditions for the project it recommended to the board. They included:
– No apparatus on double poles
– An agreement to annual recertification
– Equipment shall be located on top of the poles, colored similarly to the polse so as to blend in.
– Equipment shall not interfere with other equipment on the pole, nor obstruct or interfere with access to or operation of street lights or traffic controls devices on the pole.
– Poles must meet ADA standards.”
-NEWS: Verizon Drops Small Cell Wireless Booster Application in Face of Fees, October 23, 2018
Booneville, Arkansas, September 2018
Proposed Ordinance would limit cell towers to 250 ft max; industrial zones
News Stories
Cell tower ordinance read for first time at council meeting, Sept 5, 2018
Mill Valley, California: Urgency Ordinance No 18, September 6, 2018
- New or updated facilities prohibited in residential zones. Commercial only.
- Facilities installed on poles in public right of way must be 1,500 feet apart
- Design, noise standards
- Facilities in public right of way that would interfere with future projects / improvements must be relocated
- Promptly remove facilities when no longer needed; replace with smaller facilities as feasible
- Defend and indemnify the City
Mill Valley, California: Urgency Ordinance No 18, September 6, 2018 PDF
News Stories
Tech Crunch” Bay Area Blocks 5G Deployment Over Cancer Concerns
Marin Post Mill Valley Council Adopts Wireless Ordinance Protects Community
San Anselmo, California Council Policy
- People within 300 feet of proposed antenna will be notified
- Town is entitled to employ independent consultant at applicant’s expense to evaluate exceptions
Ross Valley, California: Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
- Modeled after Mill Valley’s
- Adopted regulations prohibit facilities in residential and downtown zoning district.
- Facilities proposed in the public right-of-way subject to separate design criteria.
- Limits height and width of facilities to a minimum necessary for property function.
- Maximum height of 24 feet above the height of the existing utility pole and 7 feet above a street light standard.
- Requires equipment to be placed underground.
Ross Valley, California: Wireless Telecommunications Facilities PDF
News Stories
Danville, California: Proposed Ordinance No. 2018-07: Wireless Communication Facilities
- Aesthetic requirements (design guidelines may be developed and amended from time to time to clarify aesthetic and public safety goals and standards)
- Utilities must be underground to extent feasible. “Meters, panels, disconnect switches and other associated improvements must be placed in inconspicuous locations to the extent possible”.
- Permits valid for initial period of 10 years max
- “Where feasible, the location of wireless communication facilities shall be encouraged to be located on publicly owned or controlled property or right-of-way.”
- Would allow small cells in residential districts:
–“All facilities shall be substantially screened from the view of surrounding properties and the public view or collocated with existing facilities or structures so as not to create substantial additional visual, noise, or thermal impacts. “
–Property owners within 300 ft of proposed site must be notified
Danville, California: Ordinance No. 2018-07 Wireless Communications Facilities PDF
Other Links
http://mystreetmychoice.com/danville.html
Walnut City, California
“Telecommunication towers and antennas shall not be located within 1,500 feet of any school (nursery, elementary, junior high, and high school), trail, park or outdoor recreation area, sporting venues, and residential zones.”
Screenshot of Ordinance from Walnut Website,
To see the code online go to https://qcode.us/codes/walnut/, Click on “Title 6: Planning and Zoning” Click on “Chapter 6.88 ANTENNAS AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES”, Click on “6.88.060 Design standards, See Item “O.
Sebastopol, California: City Council Agenda Item Report and Urgency Ordinance (Recommended)
- Purpose: Institute a moratorium on applications for small cells in the public right-of-way until adoption of a permanent ordinance
Previous regulations on telecommunications facilities (according to the recommended urgency ordinance, these did not anticipate 5G and do not address installation of telecommunications facilities in the right-of-way):
- Purpose: Protect visual character, inhabitants, environmental resources
Cannot be located in any required yard setback area
- Facilities within 400 feet of residential areas, schools, churches, hospitals etc must comply with NIER standards
- Minor facilities must be 75 feet away from a “residential dwelling unit” except 1 single family residence on the property where it is located
Other Links
- http://scientists4wiredtech.com/sebastopol/sb-muni-code/
- http://mystreetmychoice.com/sebastopol.html
Pittsfield, Massachusetts: Proposed Section: Wireless Communications Facilities
- Telecom company must prove prefered site/existing structure does not work
- Above ground aesthetic requirements
- Sound and light restrictions with emphasis on industry proving compliance
Pittsfield, Massachusetts: Proposed Section: Wireless Communications Facilities PDF
Hempstead, New York: Wireless Communications Facilities
- Requires a special use permit for cell towers that encourages location of new wireless facilities so as to minimize their impact on historically sensitive areas around residences, schools, houses of worship, day-care centers. Seven consideration factors are listed in order from more to least preferred, with existing towers being most preferred and new towers in residential zones least preferred.
- Prohibits towers from exceeding a height that permits it to operate without artificial lighting
- Allows the town to hire consultants and do inspections
- Set a fee schedule of $500 per pole
- Requires a 4 foot warning sign on the pole
- Utilities at wireless installations should be underground when possible
Hempstead, New York: Wireless Communications Facilities Ordinance eCode Chapter 142
Other Links
https://hempsteadny.gov/permits-and-applications/wireless-telecom-ordinance
Mason, Ohio: Zoning Ordinance – Wireless Communications Systems
- No small cells in residential areas or within 100 feet of property used for residential use
- Small cells must be 2000 feet apart (unless colocated)
- Small cells are between 20-30 ft high (may be able to exceed 30 ft if colocated)
- Every attempt shall be made to locate small cells on existing structures; if not available, within public right of way
- All related equipment should be underground or wholly contained so not visible
- Each facility shall consist of no more than 1 antenna/user and capable of providing communication for at least 2 users
Mason, Ohio Zoning Ordinance PDF
Sonoma, California: Report and Urgency Ordinance
On Nov 5, 2018 Sonoma approved their 5G urgency ordinance.
“Based on the foregoing, the City Council finds and determines that the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare requires that this Ordinance be enacted as an urgency ordinance pursuant to Government Code Section 36937(b), and take effect immediately upon adoption. Therefore, this Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare and its urgency is hereby declared.”
The City also has a Small Cell Tower page.
Sonoma California Ordinance on 5G PDF
San Rafael, California: City Council Report
San Rafael, California: December 2018 Documentation for City Action on 12/18/2018
This document also reviews other Cities 5G small cell policies.
News stories
“I want the city and county government to clearly say no to the FCC,” said resident Arthur Saftlas. “No 5G installations of any kind in Marin, until it can be proven safe for us and the environment.”- San Rafael, Calif., Officials Work to Tighten 5G Regulation
Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Zoning Changes via Ordinance 9-2016
- City Council rushed through zoning changes to declare many streets off limits to new poles (said they could be much taller than existing ones)
- Public Utility Commission stripped Mobilitie and other distributed-antenna companies of utility status, meaning that they would not get any more “certificates of public convenience” in Pennsylvania.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania Ordinance No. 9-2016 PDF
News Stories
- http://www.philly.com/philly/business/comcast/philly-and-suburbs-brace-for-attack-of-the-small-cells-20170601.html?arc404=true
- http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Philadelphia-Braces-For-Small-Cell-Future.html
Holyoke, MA: Initial Request
- Draft policy $500 fee for city inspection of rooftop poles/roofs every 2 years
- Holyoke has submitted an order from councilor Bartley Roman to limit equipment and require $500 apiece per small cell–$500 may exceed FCC limits. At-large councilor Rebecca Lisi, on behalf of a Holyoke resident, recently submitted to the town lawyer a copy of the ordinance drafted by Pittsfield.
Information from https://www.lasttreelaws.com/ordinances.html
OTHER ACTIONS
Monterey, California: Verizon’s application denied
Commissioners overruled staff and voted 7-0 to deny telecom giant Verizon’s small cell application
Small Cell Towers nixed in 7-hour Monterey Planning Commission
Los Angeles, California: Deal with Verizon; letter from Mayor to FCC
- “in exchange for amenities such as free Wi-Fi in Skid Row and at recreation centers, $400,000 of scholarship money, and launching an innovation center in the city, L.A. is charging Verizon just $175 per device per year for 10 years for up to 1,000 installations, plus the cost of electricity.” (LA Times)
- “In a letter to the FCC, Mayor Eric Garcetti urged the commission to rewrite the ruling before its adoption, arguing that the decision would “insert confusion into the market, and sow mistrust between my technology team and the carriers with whom we have already reached agreements.”” (LA Times)
News Stories
LA Times: 5G service rolls out — but not without controversy
San Jose, California: Negotiated agreement
“officials made improved access to areas with low internet participation a precondition for reducing fees…agreement set tiered costs per network node installation, with lower fees for companies deploying more nodes. Along with this incentive, three companies pledged to contribute a total of $24 million over the next decade to a digital inclusion fund.” (GovTech)
News Stories
September 2018 The Future of 5G: The Bitter Battle for Local Control
Note: These were compiled from EHT research of various sources and a special thank you to Physicians for Safe Technology, My Streets My Choice and Last Tree Laws for their extensive resources. Please contact EHT to add your Cities information.
Other Important Websites on 5G and Small Cells.
Win19.org on Small Cells and 5G
Americans For Responsible Technology
Physicians for Safe Technology 5G Resources
Email us at info@ehtrust.org
Mailing address
P.O. Box 58, Teton Village WY 83025
Express mail should be sent to
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Teton Village WY 83025