In order to protect the public health and safety and to minimize the visual impact of antennas, the city adopts the following regulations regulating antennas. Antennas are permitted in all zoning districts subject to the following requirements.
(A) The antenna shall be permanently secured to a stable foundation.
(B) No portion of the antenna shall conduct or display any advertising, message or other graphic representation other than the manufacturer’s name.
(C) A freestanding antenna or tower (i.e., not mounted on a roof) shall be located only in the rear yard or the side yard and shall not be closer to a property line than its height or the depth of the required rear or side yard setback, whichever is the greater.
(D) All antennas must be grounded to protect against damage from lightning.
(E) In determining whether to issue an antenna permit, the City Services Department shall apply the following standards.
(1) The antenna shall be installed and placed so as not to constitute a safety hazard due to wind or storm.
(2) The antenna shall not block areas which will hamper firefighting equipment.
(3) The antenna shall be placed so as not to be too close to electrical lines or tree limbs.
(4) The antenna shall not be located or placed as to have a serious adverse impact or effect on adjacent or nearby properties or land uses.
(5) A commercial or public antenna, including accessory buildings or structures, shall comply with the use regulations of the zoning district where it is located and shall be fully enclosed by a sturdy fence, securely gated, having such height as is reasonably determined by the City Services Department.
(6) The antenna and the construction, installation, maintenance and operation thereof shall comply with all federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations.
(F) (1) The City Services Department, in its reasonable discretion, may impose other terms and conditions regulating the construction, installation, use and maintenance of antennas. Such other terms and conditions may include, though need not be limited to, the following:
(a) The screening or buffering of an antenna or tower and any accessory buildings or structures thereof;
(b) The timely removal of unused or unsafe antennas or towers or accessory buildings or structures thereof;
(c) For commercial or public antennas, the prohibition on the construction of occupancy of dwellings or other buildings or the construction and use of other structures within a specified isolation distance from an antenna or tower; and
(d) If an antenna tower is involved, shields, fences, removal of ladders or other safety precautions can be required to prevent unauthorized persons from climbing the tower.
(2) Notwithstanding the above, no condition shall be imposed which would hinder the ability of the antenna to receive or send signals.
(G) An applicant for an antenna permit can appeal a decision of the City Services Department to the City Commission pursuant to § 5.226 of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 5.224) (Ord. effective 2-17-1995; Ord. effective 9-27-1996)