Chapter 19.78
WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
Section:
19.78.010   Purpose
19.78.020   Definitions
19.78.030   Application
19.78.040   Exempt Facilities
19.78.050   Location Preferences - New telecommunications towers
19.78.060   Permit Requirements
19.78.070   Application Requirements
19.78.080   Review by airport manager
19.78.090   Noticing
19.78.100   Action on use permit applications
19.78.110   Actions on wireless telecommunications facilities permits
19.78.120   Development standards
19.78.130   Term of permits
19.78.140   Relocation of towers from residential zones
19.78.150   Abandonment
19.78.160   Severability
19.78.170   Appeals
19.78.010   Purpose.
   The purpose of this chapter is to provide a uniform and comprehensive set of standards for the development of wireless telecommunications facilities. The regulations contained herein are intended to protect and promote public health, safety, community welfare and the aesthetic quality of the city while at the same time providing reasonable opportunities for providers of wireless telecommunications services to provide such services in a safe, effective and efficient manner.
   California cities are preempted from regulating various aspects of wireless communications facility siting by both state and federal law. In particular, cities cannot prohibit or effectively prohibit wireless facilities, unreasonably discriminate against wireless service providers or regulate such facilities on the basis of radio frequency emissions to the extent those emissions comply with federal standards. These regulations are further intended to:
   A.   Require the location of new monopoles, towers and antennas in non-residential zoning districts unless technically necessary for provision of the service.
   B.   Require telecommunications facilities to be designed in a way to minimize adverse visual impacts.
   C.   Encourage co-location of facilities.
   D.   Protect the public's interest in the safe operation of public safety, emergency and medical services.
   E.   Protect the public from exposure to electromagnetic frequency or radio frequency radiation in excess of federal standards.
(Ord. 2205, Ord. 2519 §32)
19.78.020   Definitions.
   A.   Antenna - Any system of wires, poles, rods, panels, reflecting discs or similar devices used for the transmission or reception of radio frequency electromagnetic waves when such system is external or attached to the exterior of a structure.
   B.   Building-Mounted Antenna - Any antenna, other than an antenna with its supports resting on the ground, directly attached or affixed to the side of a building, tank, tower or structure other than a telecommunications tower.
   C.   Co-location - The practice of two or more wireless telecommunications facilities service providers sharing one support structure or building for the location of their facilities.
   D.   EMF/RF - Electromagnetic radio frequency/radio frequency.
   E.   FAA - Federal Aviation Administration.
   F.   FCC - Federal Communications Commission.
   G.   Ground-Mounted Antenna - An antenna with its support structure placed directly on the ground.
   H.   Lattice Tower - A three or more legged open structure designed and erected to support wireless telecommunications antennas and connecting appurtenances.
   I.   Monopole - A single pole structure designed and erected to support wireless telecommunications antennas and connecting appurtenances.
   J.   Roof-Mounted Antenna - An antenna directly attached to the roof of an existing building, water tank, tower or structure other than a telecommunications tower.
   K.   Satellite Dish Antenna - Any device incorporating a reflective surface that is solid, open mesh or bar configured, that is shallow dish, cone, horn, bowl or cornucopia shaped and is used to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic or radio frequency communication/signals in a specific directional pattern.
   L.   Stealthing - Improvements or treatments added to a wireless telecommunications facility which mask or blend the proposed facility into the existing structure or visible backdrop in such a manner as to minimize its visual impacts. Stealthing may utilize, but does not require, concealment of all components of a facility. Examples of stealthing include, but are not limited to, the design and construction of a tower so that it is disguised as a tree or sculpture, or the incorporation of colors and design features of nearby structures.
   M.   Substantially Change - means a modification to an existing facility that meets any of the following criteria:
      1.   An increase in the height of the existing tower by more than ten percent (10%), or by the height of twenty (20) feet, whichever is greater; or
      2.   An appurtenance that protrudes from the edge of the tower more than twenty (20) feet, or more than the width of the tower structure at the level of the appurtenance, whichever is greater; or
      3.   The installation of more than the standard number of equipment cabinets for the technology involved, not to exceed four (4) cabinets;
      4.   Any excavation or construction outside the structural footprint of the wireless telecommunications tower or base station;
      5.   Defeats one or more of the existing concealment elements of the wireless telecommunications tower or base station; or
      6.   Does not comply with conditions associated with the prior approval of construction or modification of the wireless telecommunications tower or base station, unless the non-compliance is due to a change that would otherwise not be defined as "substantial modification" as identified herein.
   N.   Telecommunications Tower or Tower - A monopole or lattice tower.
   O.   Wireless Telecommunications Facility or Facility - Any structure, antenna, pole, equipment and related improvements the primary purpose of which is to support the transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic signals, including, but not limited to, telecommunications towers.
(Ord. 2205, Ord. 2519 §33)
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