Exeter Municipal Code Ch. 15.40 Radio and Television Antennas

A. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to require a permit approving the erection of an antenna which was erected prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

B. No radio or television antenna whether erected before or after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be maintained unless it meets the requirements set forth in this chapter. In the event that any radio or television antenna regardless of when erected fails to meet the requirements of this chapter, or for any other reason is not erected, supported and guyed in a safe manner, the superintendent of public works shall instruct the owner or occupant of the premises on which such antenna is located to make corrections so that the antenna will comply with the provisions of this chapter and be reasonably safe, or to remove the antenna. Such owner or occupant shall thereupon within a reasonable time make such corrections or remove the antenna.

C. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to apply to or control any person who holds a valid Amateur Radio Operator and Station License issued by the Federal Communications Commission while such person is engaged in an activity under the authority of such license. If such person engaged in the installation of antennas other than those which pertain to his hobby under such license, however, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to him insofar as such installation is concerned.

(Ord. 180 §§7, 8, 1953)

Outdoor radio and television antennas erected within the city on and after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be erected in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter, in addition to compliance with applicable federal regulations of the Civil Aeronautics Authority.

(Ord. 180 §1, 1953)

An antenna may be erected in compliance with this chapter by anyone and no requirement as to qualification is imposed.

(Ord. 180 §6, 1953)

Every person, firm, corporation, or association erecting an outdoor radio or television antenna shall, within seventy-two hours after completion of such erection, apply to the superintendent of public works for a permit approving the same, unless all of the following conditions exist:

A. The antenna is so located that if it swings or falls it will not come in contact with electric power lines carrying in excess of two hundred fifty volts; and

B. The antenna is so located that if pivoted about its base to a horizontal position, no portion of the antenna will extend beyond the property lines of the real estate on which it is erected; and

C. The distance between the base and the tip of the antenna does not exceed twenty feet.

(Ord. 180 §2, 1953)

Where a permit is required, a permit fee shall be charged, as follows:

A. For a radio antenna, two dollars and fifty cents;

B. For a television antenna, two dollars and fifty cents;

C. For each additional inspection, required after the first inspection, one dollar.

(Ord. 180 §3, 1953)

Upon filing of an application for a permit approving the erection of an antenna, it shall be the duty of the superintendent of public works to inspect the antenna as erected. In the event that the antenna is erected in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and appears in all respects to be erected, supported and guyed in a reasonably safe manner, it shall be the duty of the superintendent of public works to issue a permit to maintain the antenna as installed. In the event that the antenna, as erected, does not comply with the provisions of this chapter or in other respects does not appear to be erected, supported and guyed in a reasonably safe manner, then the superintendent of public works shall refuse to issue a permit approving the erection of the antenna and shall instruct the person, firm, corporation, or association which erected the antenna either to make corrections so that the antenna, as erected, will comply with the provisions of this chapter and reasonable safety, or to remove the antenna. Such person, firm, corporation or association shall thereupon, within a reasonable time, make such corrections or remove the antenna.

(Ord. 180 §4, 1953)

Whether or not an application for a permit is required, the following requirements shall be complied with in the erection and maintenance of an antenna:

A. The antenna mast or tower shall be secured to a structure strong enough to carry the weight of the installation with necessary allowance for wind and vibration.

B. The mast shall be securely anchored to the structure.

C. Antennas shall not be attached to or supported by vent pipes. Mast supports and guy wire anchors shall be secured in such a way that the supporting structure is not damaged or weakened.

D. A mast which extends more than ten feet above the top of its base support shall be strengthened with similar sets of guy wires at approximately ten-foot intervals.

E. A lighting arrester, suitable for the frequency for which the television apparatus is designed, and approved by Underwriters' Laboratories for television leads, shall, if available, be provided for each lead-in conductor and shall be located outside the building and as near as practicable to the entrance of the conductor into the building. The arrester shall not be located near combustible material or in a hazardous location.

F. Every metal mast or tower shall be grounded by a conductor of suitable size, if an arrester is not provided. The conductor should be bonded to a water pipe if possible.

(Ord. 180 §5, 1953)

Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred ninety-nine dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for ninety days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. 180 §9, 1953)