Lake County Zoning Code § 21-71 Regulations

71.1 Purpose: The purpose of this Section is to establish the regulations, standards and circumstances for the siting, design, construction and maintenance of wireless communication facilities in the unincorporated area of the County of Lake. (Ord. No. 2868, 07/10/2008)
71.2 Applicability: Except as otherwise stated herein, the provisions of this Section are applicable in all zoning districts.
71.3 General Regulations: Wireless telecommunication facilities shall be allowed on lots or parcels within the zoning districts specified in Section 27.11, Table B of the zoning ordinance, subject to a discretionary permit unless otherwise specified by Sections 71.4 or 71.5 of this Article. All wireless telecommunications facilities are subject to the following general regulations of their exempt status:
- (a) Wireless communication facilities shall comply with all applicable goals, objectives and policies of the general plan, area plans, zoning regulations and development standards.
- (b) Wireless communication facilities shall comply with all FCC rules, regulations, and standards.
- (c) Wireless communication facilities shall comply with all applicable criteria from the Lake County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUP) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- (d) Wireless communication facilities shall be sited in the least visually obtrusive location possible as determined by the Community Development Director. Facility towers, antennas, buildings and other structures and equipment visible from adjacent residences or public vantage points, shall be designed, located, constructed, painted, screened, fenced, landscaped or otherwise architecturally treated to minimize their appearance and visually blend with the surroundings.
- (e) Where a wireless communication facility exists on the proposed site location, colocation shall be pursued to the maximum extent feasible. If a co-location agreement cannot be reached, documentation of the effort and the reasons why co-location was not possible shall be submitted and reviewed by the Director of Community Development.
- (f) Other regulations enacted pursuant to the General Plan and Area Plans, may be applied to the proposed wireless communication facility, depending on the location and type of facility.

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(g) Antennas and antenna towers shall be inspected, following significant storm or seismic events, by a structural engineer licensed in the state of California to assess their structural integrity, and a report of the engineer of the engineer’s findings shall be submitted to the Community Development Department. Costs of inspection and reporting shall be borne by the permit holder.
71.4 Uses Permitted : The following types of wireless communications facilities are allowed in any zoning district and are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter:
- (a) Structure-mounted antennas as defined in Section 68.4(a)22 of this Chapter.
- (b) Ground-mounted antennas as defined in Section 68.4(a)23. of this Chapter.
(c) A ground-or building-mounted receive-only radio or television antenna including any mast, for the sole use of the tenant occupying the parcel on which the radio or television antenna is located.
- (d) A ground-or building-mounted citizens band radio antenna including any mast, provided the height of the antenna, including the tower, support structure, or post, does not exceed zoning district height requirements of the zoning district.
- (e) A ground-building-or tower-mounted antenna operated by a federally licensed amateur radio operator as part of the Amateur Radio Service, provided that is maximum height does not exceed the height requirements of the zoning district.
- (f) A ground- or building-mounted receive-only radio or television satellite dish, which does not exceed thirty six (36) inches in diameter, for the sole use of the resident occupying a residential parcel on which the satellite dish is located; provided the height of said dish does not exceed the maximum height specified by the Zoning Ordinance for the principal structure by more than fifteen (15) percent.
- (g) Mobile services providing public information coverage of news events of a temporary nature.
- (h) Hand held devices such as cell phones, business-band mobile radios, walkietalkies, cordless telephones, garage door openers and similar devices as determined by the Community Development Director.
- (i) Wireless communication facilities to be used for public safety or homeland security purposes, installed and operated by authorized federal, state, or local public agencies.