§ 15.31.020. Applicability.

Communication towers exceeding the maximum height allowed in the underlying zoning district to a maximum height of two hundred (200) feet are permitted in all zoning districts, subject to approval of a conditional use permit as set forth in Chapter 15.02 and the additional minimum standards in this chapter.

(1)

The following types of communication towers are subject to the standards and procedures of this chapter:

a.

UHF, VHF and cable television.

b.

AM, FM, and two-way radio.

c.

Fixed point microwave.

d.

Wireless communications, including but not limited to paging, cellular, enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR), and personal communications systems (PCS).

(2)

An antenna and supporting structure for the following are exempt from the development standards of this chapter and are allowed in any zoning district, if accessory to a permitted use and in compliance with other applicable regulations of that zoning district.

a.

Amateur radios licensed by the FCC.

b.

Citizens band radios.

c.

Direct broadcast satellite discs.

d.

Conventional home television antennas, including UHF and VHF antennas.

(3)

Towers for police, fire and emergency communications or other municipal systems are exempt from the development standards of this chapter.

(4)

Towers attached to utility poles located in public right-of-way are exempt from the development standards of this chapter. However, placement of such towers shall be subject to review and approval by the public works department and the appropriate utility.

(5)

Communications facilities to be co-located onto an existing legally established tower with no increase in height are exempt from the review procedures of this chapter. However, documentation of the capacity of the structure to support weight or wind load from the additional equipment shall be provided to the building division of the public works department prior to issuance of a building permit.

(6)

Building-attached facilities, either roof mounted antennas or antennas attached to the side of a building are exempt from the standards and conditions of this chapter. These structures shall be subject to review for compliance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations by the building division of the public works department, prior to issuance of any local permits. The community development department shall have the authority to approve placement of communication facilities proposed to be mounted on other structures such as water tanks, steeples or other creative locations, if it is determined that the proposed location is consistent with the facilities exempted from the procedures of this chapter.

(7)

No tower shall be constructed in a manner which will interfere with emergency communication transmissions of the county. The applicant shall request documentation from the county sheriff to verify that said tower will not create such interference. Said documentation shall be submitted with the application. Any cost incurred in the process of certifying that the tower, transmitter, receiver or any other communications equipment will not interfere with emergency communication transmissions shall be at the applicant's expense.

(Ord. No. 6053, § 2, 3-8-2010).

Editor's note

Ord. No. 6053, § 2, adopted Mar. 8, 2010, repealed the former section and enacted a new section as set out herein. The former section pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 5458, § 3, 1999.