Chapter 23.79 — ANTENNA TOWERS

The purpose of this chapter is to control the installation of exterior radio antenna towers. It is recognized that unrestricted use of these installations will be contrary to the city’s efforts to stabilize economic and social aspects of neighborhood environments and the city’s efforts to promote safety and aesthetic considerations, family environments and a basic residential character within the city. It is the intent of this chapter to permit antenna towers where they can be installed without creating an adverse economic, safety and aesthetic impact on neighboring property owners and the overall community.

(Ord. 79-O-104, 1979; Ord. O-2000-02, 2000)

“Amateur radio tower” means any tower supporting an antenna used for the purpose of transmitting and receiving radio signals in conjunction with an amateur radio station licensed by the Federal Communication Commission.

“Antenna” means any system of wires, poles, rods, reflecting discs or similar devices used for transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves, including devices having active elements extending in any direction and directional beam-type arrays having elements carried by and disposed from a generally horizontal boom which may be mounted upon and rotatable through a vertical mast interconnecting the boom and a support for the antenna.

“Tower” means any fabricated structure or device including guy wires, used to support one or more antennas as defined in subsection (a) of this section and to maintain said antennas at the proper elevation.

(Ord. 79-O-104, 1979; Ord. O-2000-02, 2000)

(a) Permits Required.

• (1) No tower shall be installed in any zone district within the city without first obtaining a building permit and complying with the regulations of this code. No building permit shall be required if the total weight of the tower and antenna is fifty (50) pounds or less.

• (2) “Amateur radio towers” as defined in Section 23.70.020 (b) shall require a special use permit per the provisions of Section 23.79.035 .

• (b) Uniform Building Code Applicable. The installation of any tower shall comply with minimum structural and safety regulations for “structures” as required by the latest adopted Uniform Building Code.

• (c) Submittal Requirements. Before a building permit shall be granted for a tower, the applicant shall submit the following:

  • (1) Site plan;

  • (2) Manufacturer’s specification for the tower;

  • (3) Details of footings, guys and braces;

  • (4) Details of attaching or affixing antenna to the tower;

  • (5) Elevations sufficient to fully describe the proposed structure;

  • (6) Design methods to discourage the climbing of tower apparatus by children;

(7) Written consent of the property owner.

(Ord. 79-O-104, 1979; Ord. O-2000-02, 2000)

Amateur radio towers shall be permitted subject to obtaining a special use permit pursuant to the following procedure:

• (1) An application for a special use permit for an amateur radio tower shall be submitted to the planning division for the review and approval of the director, development services.

• (2) The application shall include plans, a statement of use, the latest prescribed fee pursuant to city council resolution and all other items listed on the amateur radio tower submittal requirements on file with the planning division.

• (3) A decision date shall be set a minimum of twenty-one (21) days from the date of accepting the completed application.

• (4) Not less than ten (10) days prior to the decision date by the director, development services, notice of the proposed application shall be mailed to all property owners within a three hundred (300) foot radius of the exterior boundaries of the subject property.

• (5) A decision on the permit shall be made by the director, development services without a hearing, unless one is requested by either the applicant or other affected person. If so requested, the hearing would be scheduled for the next available planning commission meeting.

• (6) The decision of the director, development services shall be final unless appealed in writing to the planning commission by the applicant or any other interested person (as defined in Chapter 23.04 ) within ten (10) calendar days.

• (Ord. O-2000-02, 2000; Ord. O-2007-07 § 38, 2007)

• (a) Location. Towers and any supporting masts and guy wires shall be located on the rear one-half of the main building or lot and shall not encroach into the required side and rear yard setbacks for accessory structures in the zoned district in which such tower is located.

• (b) Size and Number Allowed. Not more than one (1) tower shall be erected or thereafter maintained on any property.

• (c) Height. The maximum allowable height of a tower shall be no more than six (6) feet above the maximum allowable height for any main building in the zoned district in which such tower is

located. Exception: No part of any amateur radio tower shall extend more than seventy-five (75) feet above the finish grade and shall retract to the above maximum allowable height. (Ord. 79-O-104, 1979; Ord. O-2000-02, 2000)

Nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent the installation and maintenance of towers necessary for the operation of public authorities for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the community; provided that the installation and maintenance of said tower shall in all other respects be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 79-O-104, 1979; Ord. O-2000-02, 2000)