Chapter 23.80 — SATELLITE DISH ANTENNAS

Note: Prior ordinance history: Ords. 85-O-128 and 88-O-102.

The purpose of this chapter is to control the installation of satellite dish antennas. 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 effort 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 antennas where they can be installed without creating an adverse economic, safety and aesthetic impact on neighboring property owners and the overall community. (Ord. 93-O-105 § 1, 1993)

“Satellite dish antenna” means a parabolic and/or disc-shaped antenna of either solid or mesh construction, intended for the purpose of receiving communication from an orbiting satellite transceiver.

(Ord. 93-O-105 § 1, 1993)

• (a) The following general requirements shall apply to all satellite dish antennas proposed for installation in commercial, industrial and residential districts:

  • (1) Diameter. Satellite dish antennas shall not exceed a maximum diameter of ten (10) feet.

  • (2) Setbacks. Setback distance shall be measured from the outer edge of the dish at its closest point to the nearest property line(s) at full rotation; no portion of any dish antenna shall be located closer than three (3) feet to any property line.

  • (3) Height. The height of a ground-mounted dish antenna shall be measured from the point at which the dish is mounted at ground level to the highest point of the dish antenna at full extension; the height of a roof-mounted dish antenna shall be measured from the point at which the dish is mounted to the roof to the highest point of the dish at full extension. No ground-mounted dish antenna shall exceed a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet.

  • (4) Location. No ground-mounted dish antenna shall impact required parking, circulation or landscaping.

  • (5) Advertising. No dish antenna shall be used for advertising purposes of any kind.

  • (6) Wiring. All electrical and antenna wiring shall be placed underground or otherwise screened from view.

  • (7) Permanent Mounting. All dish antennas shall be permanently mounted and no antenna shall be installed on a portable or movable structure such as a trailer or motor vehicle.

• (b) The following additional requirements shall apply:

  • (1) Commercial and Industrial Districts.

    • (A) A roof-mounted dish antenna shall be mounted only on a flat roof and shall not exceed a maximum height of ten (10) feet above the height of the roof on which it is mounted.

    • (B) All dish antennas shall be screened; screening shall be opaque and architecturally compatible with existing structures.

    • (C) All dish antennas shall be set back an appropriate distance from any property line to ensure that the required screening maintains at least a three (3) foot setback.

  • (2) Residential Districts.

    • (A) No more than one (1) dish antenna shall be permitted on a residential lot.

    • (B) A ground-mounted dish antenna shall be located only on the rear one-half (1/2) of a lot.

    • (C) A roof-mounted dish antenna shall be located only on the lower two-thirds (2/3) of the rear one-half (1/2) of the roof area and shall not exceed a maximum height of seven and one-half (7 1/2) feet above the roof on which it is mounted.

    • (D) All dish antennas shall maintain the same side yard setback permitted in the district in which they are located, or the same side yard setback permitted in the district in which they are located, or the same side yard setback as the (legally permitted) existing residence, whichever is closer to the property line. However, no dish antenna shall be located closer than three (3) feet to any property line.

(E) Construction. In residential districts, all dish antennas shall be of a mesh construction. (Ord. 93-O-105 § 1, 1993; Ord. 93-O-110 § 7, 1993)

• (a) If, due to the requirements of this chapter, the opportunity for an applicant to receive transmission signals shall be unreasonably restricted, a special use permit may be required, pursuant to the following requirements:

  • (1) An application shall be submitted to the planning division for review by the director of development services;

  • (2) The application shall include: plans; a documented reason why the requirements of this chapter will unreasonably restrict the applicant’s ability to receive transmission signals; the latest fee prescribed by city council resolution; and all other requirements listed in the satellite dish antenna submittal requirements, on file with the planning division;

  • (3) A decision date shall be established a minimum of twenty-one (21) days from the date of accepting the completed application. The decision on the application shall be made by the director of development services;

• (4) Not less than ten (10) days prior to the decision on the application, notice of the proposed installation of the satellite dish shall be mailed to all property owners as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll within a one hundred (100) foot radius of the exterior boundaries of the subject property;

• (5) A decision on the special use permit shall be made without a public hearing, unless one is requested either by the applicant, another affected person(s), or by the director of development services;

• (6) All decisions of the director of development services may be appealed to the planning commission.

(Ord. 93-O-105 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2007-07 § 39, 2007)

• (a) Permit Required. No satellite dish antenna shall be installed in any zone district within the city without first obtaining a building permit and complying with the regulations of this code; provided that no building permit shall be required:

(1) If the diameter of the antenna is four (4) feet or less.

• (b) Uniform Building Code and National Electrical Code Applicable. The installation of any satellite dish antenna shall comply with minimum structural, electrical and safety regulations for structures as required by the latest adopted Uniform Building Code and National Electrical Code.

• (c) Submittal Requirements. Before a building permit shall be granted for a satellite dish antenna, the applicant shall submit two (2) sets of the following:

  • (1) Dimensioned site plan showing proposed location of antenna;

  • (2) Manufacturer’s specifications;

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

  • (4) Details of attaching or fixing antenna to the roof (if applicable);

  • (5) Elevations sufficient to fully describe the proposed structure and any required screening;

(6) Written consent of the property owner.

(Ord. 93-O-105 § 1, 1993)