Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance

Small Cell Facilities:

• Allowed by right in any zone if:

1. Size < 5 square feet, protrudes < 1.5 feet, and < 3 feet above roofline
2. No additional equipment is needed

• Building Small Cell Facade or Roof-Mounted Antennas:

• All zones (facade); Commercial, Industrial, R&D zones (roof) except when located adjacent to a State Highway or designated Scenic Corridor.
• Administrative Permit

• New Towers or Monopoles:

• In Commercial, Industrial and R&D zones (not near Scenic Corridors or Residential zones)
  • Zoning Administrator approval of a Minor Use Permit
• Adjacent to Scenic Corridors or within 500 feet of Residential zones:
  • Planning Commission approval of a Conditional Use Permit

• Co-Locations:
  • On structures (not monopoles): Minor Use Permit
  • On monopoles: Administrative Permit

• Temporary Facilities (e.g. for emergencies, events, or service continuity):
  • Emergencies:
    • Allowed with authorization from emergency or incident command.
    • Temporary use shall terminate, and the site restored to its previous condition, within 30 days of cessation of the declared emergency.
  • Special Events:
    • Permitted by Administrative Permit (Section 130.562.010)
    • Authorized when additional coverage is needed for special events.
    • Facilities cannot be installed more than four (4) weeks in advance of the event and must be removed no more than one (1) week after the event.
  • Temporary Facilities to maintain service area coverage:
    • Permitted by Administrative Permit (Section 130.562.010).
    • Authorized to avoid severe impacts due to outages or facility failure while permanent facilities are being permitted.
    • Approval may not exceed 180 days; Applicant may request a one-time 180-day time extension if needed.

• Facilities must be screened with vegetation or landscaping.
• If vegetation isn't feasible, stealth or camouflaged designs must be used to blend with surroundings (architecture, natural features, trees, or vegetation).
• Vegetative screening must comply with defensible space rules per County Code §8.09.070(E)(5).
• Aesthetics: All applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for aesthetic impacts, considering location, height, design, and neighborhood character. (Subsection F.13)

• Setbacks: New facilities next to Residential zones or uses must be setback to 1.5 times the overall facility height.
  • Setback waivers may considered by the discretionary permit authority, as needed, to allow flexibility in landscaping and siting the facility in a location that best reduces the visual impact on the surrounding area and roads.

• The County notifies the neighbors and accepts feedback from the public.
  • Under 100 foot tall notification - 1,500 feet from the property line
  • Over 100 foot tall notification - 2,000 feet from the property line
  • HOA's are included in the notification radius

• Site and Needs Analysis: Applications must include a justification letter analyzing alternative sites (including use of multiple small sites vs. one large site), demonstrating need based on current coverage, and detailing outreach to owners of potential alternative locations. The analysis should compare aesthetic and environmental impacts. (Subsection K)
• Landscaping: Visual simulations must show vegetation at its 10-year growth.
• Backup Power: Facilities must include backup generators with 72 hours of clean power (e.g., batteries).
• School District: If the proposed wireless facility is within 1,500 or 2,000 feet of a school (per Subsections J.1 or J.2), the relevant school district must be notified during the initial consultation.
• HOA Notification: For sites on residentially-zoned land, applicants must identify any governing or nearby Homeowners' Associations (within 1,500-2,000 feet depending on facility height) during initial consultation. (Subsection J.4) Identified HOA's will be included in the notification process.

• Staff-Level Review: All Conditional Use Permits reviews for wireless facilities are processed at the staff level and override previous approval conditions.
• Application & Intake: Submit Conditional/Minor Use Permit for review.
• Site Inspection: Staff conducts a site visit with timestamped photos to assess compliance with the original Conditions of Approval (COA).
  • If non-compliant: Applicant receives an incomplete notice.
  • If compliant: Staff sends confirmation and prepares a report with required exhibits (vicinity map, compliance verification report, applicant narrative of COA compliance, applicant current photos, current staff photos and final COA's, and approval letter) for manager review and sign-off.
• Public Notification: Under current practice, property owners within 1,000 feet are notified.
• Escalation: If concerns or complaints arise form notified parties, the review is forwarded to the Planning Commission.