Santa Rosa Zoning Code Ch. 20-44 Telecommunications

The provisions of this Chapter are intended to provide a uniform and comprehensive set of standards for the development of telecommunication facilities and the installation of antennas. It is further intended that these regulations accomplish the following:

A.

Protect residential neighborhoods and the visual character of the City from the potential adverse visual effects of telecommunication facility development and antenna installation; B.

Ensure that all telecommunication facilities comply with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) exposure standards for non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (NIER);

Protect environmental resources of the City;

D.

Ensure that a broad range of telecommunication facilities is provided to serve the community and to serve as an important part of the City's emergency response network; and E.

Provide a comprehensive, objective, and efficient process for reviewing applications for telecommunication facilities while at the same time protecting the interests of citizens.

(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 3711 § 1 Exh. A, 2005)

A telecommunications facility shall require a Minor Conditional Use Permit or a Conditional Use Permit approval in compliance with this Chapter, if not considered exempt. Design Review is required for any nonexempt facility.

A.

Design Review required. Design Review is required for all telecommunication facilities, except those listed by this Chapter as exempt. The review authority conducting Design Review for minor facilities is the Zoning Administrator and the review authority conducting Design Review for major facilities is the Design Review and Preservation Board.

B.

Minor Conditional Use Permit required. A Minor Conditional Use Permit is required for all minor telecommunication facilities. The review authority for Minor Conditional Use Permits is the Zoning Administrator.

Conditional Use Permit required. A Conditional Use Permit is required for all major telecommunication facilities. The review authority for Conditional Use Permits is the Planning Commission.

D.

Exceptions. Exceptions to the requirements of this Chapter may be granted through Conditional Use Permit approval by the Commission. A Conditional Use Permit may only be approved if the Commission finds, after receipt of substantial evidence, that failure to adhere to the standards under consideration is consistent with the purpose and intent of this Chapter. Tower setback requirements may be waived under the following circumstances:

1.

The facility is proposed to be co-located on an existing, legally established telecommunication tower; or

2.

The reduced setback enables further mitigation of adverse visual and other environmental impacts than would otherwise be possible.

(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 3711 § 1 Exh. A, 2005; Ord. 2025-003, 2/25/2025)

Each antenna and other telecommunications facility, including exempt facilities, shall comply with the following requirements.

A.

The antenna shall be accessory to the primary use of the property which is not a telecommunications facility. B.

No more than one citizen band, amateur radio, receive only TV or radio antenna tower is allowed per parcel. C.

Telecommunications towers shall not be located within any setback area required by the applicable zoning district.

D.

Freestanding antenna towers shall be located within a fenced yard or be anti-climbing equipped.

E.

Antennas and appurtenances should not be installed between the primary structure and any private or public street adjoining the parcel unless sufficiently screened, and no other feasible alternative exists.

F.

No portion of an antenna array shall extend beyond the property lines of the subject parcel, unless the affected property owner has given written consent to the encroachment and the consent has been recorded in the office of the Sonoma County Recorder. Any consent given under this condition shall set forth a procedure by which the consent may be terminated.

G.

The facility shall be as small as possible and the minimum height necessary without compromising reasonable reception and/or transmission.

H.

All hardware such as brackets, turnbuckles, clips, and similar items subject to rust or corrosion shall be protected by galvanizing or paint.

I.

Satellite dishes shall be painted a color that blends with their surroundings.

J.

Facilities shall be screened by existing and/or proposed structures and landscaping to the extent possible without compromising reception and/or transmission.

K.

Each facility shall comply with all Federal, State, and City codes, including Federal Communication Commission and Federal Aviation Administration standards.

(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 3711 § 1 Exh. A, 2005)

Amateur radio and citizen's band facilities shall comply with the following standards, and all other applicable provisions of this Chapter.

A.

Exempt facilities. The following amateur radio and citizen band facilities are exempt from Design Review and Minor Conditional Use Permit requirements:

1.

An antenna facility that is not within the public view as defined in Division 7 (Glossary) is exempt provided the facility otherwise complies with all other applicable provisions of this Chapter. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to prove that the proposed facility will not be in public view.

2.

No more than six ground mounted antennas per parcel, not to exceed 12 feet in height.

3.

No more than six building mounted antennas per parcel, not to exceed 12 feet in height above the highest part of the building.

4.

No more than six building mounted tower antennas per parcel when the antennas and support structure do not exceed 30 feet above the highest part of the building to which it is attached.

5.

No more than six freestanding tower mounted antennas per parcel when the antennas and support structure do not exceed 40 feet in height and provided the support structure is setback a minimum of 20 feet from property lines, unless otherwise approved by Design Review.

B.

Minor facilities. The following amateur radio and citizen band facilities shall require Minor Conditional Use Permit and Design Review approval.

1.

No more than six building mounted tower antennas, or freestanding tower antennas, per parcel when the antennas and support structure do not exceed 75 feet in height.

2.

No more than six freestanding tower antennas per parcel when the antennas and support structure are at least 40 feet but do not exceed 75 feet in height and are setback less than 20 feet from property lines. C.

Major facilities. The following amateur radio and citizen band facilities require Conditional Use Permit and Design Review approval:

1.

Any building mounted tower antennas when the antennas and support structure exceed 75 feet in height above the highest part of the building to which the antenna is attached.

2.

Any freestanding tower antennas when the antennas and support structure exceed 75 feet in height. 3.

More than six amateur radio antennas per parcel.

(Ord. 3677 § 1, 2004; Ord. 3711 § 1 Exh. A, 2005)

Receive-only TV and radio antennas shall comply with the following regulations, and all other applicable requirements of this Chapter.

A.

Exempt facilities. The following facilities are exempt from Design Review and Conditional Use Permit requirements provided that they comply with Subsections B and C.

1.

An antenna that is not within the public view as defined in Division 7 (Glossary) is exempt from Minor Conditional Use Permit and Design Review requirements provided the facility otherwise complies with all other applicable provisions of this Chapter. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to prove that the proposed facility will not be in public view.

2.

Ground mounted facility that is a satellite dish one meter (3.28 feet) or less in diameter; or an antenna that is no more that 12 feet in height.

3.

Building mounted facility that is a satellite dish one meter (3.28 feet) or less in diameter or an antenna that is no more that 12 feet in height above the building on which it is mounted. B.

Minor facilities. The following receive-only TV and radio antenna facilities require Minor Conditional Use Permit and Design Review approval:

1.

No more than three ground mounted antennas per parcel in residential districts or areas, or more than six ground mounted antennas per parcel in non-residential districts or areas, mounted on a mast no more than 12 feet in height.

2.

No more than three building mounted antennas per parcel in residential districts or areas, or more than six building mounted antennas per parcel in non-residential districts or areas, mounted on a mast no more than 12 feet in height above the building on which it is mounted.

3.

No more than three freestanding tower antennas per parcel when the antennas and support structure do not exceed 45 feet in height.

C.

Major facilities. The following receive-only TV and radio antenna facilities require Conditional Use Permit and Design Review approval:

1.

Any building mounted tower antennas or freestanding tower antennas when the antennas and support structures exceed 45 feet in height.

2.

More than three antennas per parcel in a residential district or more than six antennas per parcel in a commercial district.