(A) Purpose. This section regulating the placement and installation of signal-receiving antennas is adopted to:
(1) Provide uniform regulation of all signal-receiving antenna devices;
(2) Secure placement of such antennas in an aesthetically sensitive manner while permitting users reasonable reception of signals; and
(3) Protect the public from injury from antennas that are inadequately mounted, unduly susceptible to wind pressure, improperly installed and wired, or are placed on structures insufficiently designed or constructed to safely support the antenna.
(B) Permit required. Except for satellite antennas with a diameter of two feet or less, exempt under Wis. Stats. § 62.23(7), no person shall build, construct, use, or place any type of signal-receiving antenna until a permit shall have first been obtained from the Building Inspector.
(C) Definition. For purposes of this section, a SIGNAL-RECEIVING ANTENNA is defined as any apparatus capable of receiving communications from a transmitter or a transmitter relay located in a planetary orbit. This definition includes all types of signal-receiving antennas including, without limitation, parabolic antennas, home earth stations, satellite television disks, UHF and VHF television antennas, and am, fm, ham and short-wave radio antennas, regardless of the method of mounting.
(D) Application. Application for a signal-receiving antenna permit shall be made in writing to the Building Inspector, together with the appropriate fee and a sufficient set of mounting plans and specifications, including a general plot plan showing the location of the proposed signal-receiving antenna with respect to streets, lot lines, and buildings. If such application meets all requirements of this section, the application shall be approved.
(E) Installation standards. Signal receiving antennas shall comply with the following provisions.
(1) Setbacks.
(a) Any signal-receiving antenna and its mounting post shall comply with the appropriate setbacks required under Chapter 155.
(b) Subject to the provisions herein, signal-receiving antennas shall only be located in the
rear yard of any lot. If reasonable reception of signals is not possible with a rear yard placement due to the physical characteristics of the lot and area, the signal-receiving antenna shall be placed in the side yard of the lot. In the event that reasonable reception of signals is not possible by locating the signal-receiving antenna on the rear or side yard of the property, such antenna may be placed in the front yard or on the roof of structures on the property. For corner lots, a side yard is only a yard that does not face a street.
(c) If side yard, front yard, or roof mounting is requested, the Building Inspector shall determine where reasonable reception is possible based on evidence provided by the person seeking to erect or construct the antenna.
(2) Mounting. Signal-receiving antennas attached to the wall or roof of any principal or accessory structure shall be permitted only if the structure is properly constructed to carry all imposed loading and complies with applicable state and local building code requirements. The Building Inspector may require engineering calculations.
(3) Diameter. The diameter of the signal-receiving antenna shall not exceed three feet in diameter, except for systems used to provide community antenna television services.
(4) Height. Any signal-receiving antenna, whether ground- or roof-mounted, including any platform or structure upon which said antenna is mounted or affixed, may not exceed ten feet in height above the highest point on the principal building on the lot, as measured from the base of the antenna, including any platform or structure upon which said antenna is mounted or affixed, to the highest point of the antenna or dish.
(5) Wind pressure. All signal-receiving antennas shall be permanently mounted in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications for installation. All such installations shall meet a minimum wind load design velocity of 80 mph.
(6) Electrical installations. Electrical installations in connection with signal-receiving antennas, including grounding of the system, shall be in accordance with the National Electrical Safety Code, the state’s Electrical Code, and the instructions of the manufacturer. In cases of conflict, the stricter requirements shall govern. All cable used to conduct current or signals from the signal-receiving antenna to the receivers shall be installed underground unless installation site conditions preclude underground installation. The location of all such underground lines, cables, and conduits shall be shown on the application for a permit. All signal-receiving antennas shall be grounded against direct lightning strikes.
(7) Temporary placement. No portable or trailer-mounted signal-receiving antenna shall be permitted, except for temporary installation for on-site testing and demonstration purposes for periods not exceeding five days. However, such trial placement shall be in accordance with all provisions of this section. Failure to comply shall result in a citation being issued for violation of this section. Any person making such temporary placement shall first give written notice to the Building Inspector of the date when such placement shall begin and end.
(8) Advertising. No form of advertising or identification, sign, or mural is permitted on the signal-receiving antenna other than the customary manufacturer’s identification plates.
(9) Interference with broadcasting. Signal-receiving antennas shall be filtered and/or shielded so as to prevent the emission or reflection of an electromagnetic radiation that would cause any harmful interference with the radio and/or television broadcasting or reception on adjacent properties. In the event that harmful interference is caused subsequent to its installation, the owner of the signal-receiving antenna shall promptly take steps to eliminate the harmful interference in accordance with Federal Communications Commission regulations.
(10) Compliance with federal regulations. The installation and use of every signal-receiving antenna shall be in conformity with the Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 and regulations adopted there under.
(11) Aesthetic considerations. Signal-receiving antennas shall be located and designed to reasonably reduce visual impact from surrounding properties at street level.
(Prior Code, § 14.15) (Ord. 2-95, passed - -) Penalty, see § 150.999