Chapter 17.152 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEFINITIONS

The purpose of this chapter is to provide definitions for unique terms used throughout this title that relate to wireless communications facilities.

(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this title, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

"Antenna" means a device used in wireless communications which radiates and/or receives commercial cellular, personal communication service, and/or data radio signals. "Antenna" shall not include any satellite dish antenna or any antenna utilized for amateur radio, citizens band radio, television, AM/FM, or shortwave radio reception purposes.

Base station. A structure or equipment at a fixed location that enables Commission-licensed or authorized wireless communications between user equipment and a communications network. The term does not encompass a tower as defined in this subpart or any equipment associated with a tower.

1. The term includes, but is not limited to, equipment associated with wireless communications services such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.

2. The term includes, but is not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration (including distributed antenna systems and small-cell networks).

3. The term includes any structure other than a tower that, at the time the relevant application is filed with the state or local government under this section, supports or houses equipment described in subsections 1 and 2 of this definition that has been reviewed and approved under the applicable zoning or siting process, or under another state or local regulatory review process, even if the structure was not built for the sole or primary purpose of providing such support.

4. The term does not include any structure that, at the time the relevant application is filed with the state or local government under this section, does not support or house equipment described in subsections 1 and 2 of this definition.

"Building-mounted" means mounted to the side of a building, to the facade of a building, or to the side of another structure such as a water tank, church steeple, freestanding sign, utility tower, light pole, or similar structure, but not to include the roof of any structure.

"Cellular" means an analog or digital wireless communication technology that is based on a system of interconnected neighboring cell sites.

"Collocated" means the locating of wireless communications equipment from more than one provider on a single wireless communication facility.

Eligible facilities request. Any request for modification of an existing tower or base station that does not substantially change the physical dimensions of such tower or base station, involving:

1. Collocation of new transmission equipment;

2. Removal of transmission equipment; or

3. Replacement of transmission equipment.

"Ground-mounted" means mounted to a pole, monopole, tower, or other freestanding structure specifically constructed for the purpose of supporting an antenna.

"Major wireless communications facility" means a wireless communications facility that is non-stealth in design or exceeds the height limit of the district in which it is located. A major wireless communications facility also includes any wireless communications facility that is ground- or roof-mounted and mounted in or on any public property including the public right-of-way but does not include a wireless communications facility located on a public utility pole within a public right-of-way that meets the requirements of a minor wireless communications facility.

"Minor wireless communications facility" means a wireless communications facility that is stealth in design and does not exceed the height limit of the district in which it is located, or building-, facade-, or wall-mounted and does not exceed the height of the parapet wall or roofline of the building. A roof-mounted facility, which is screened by a solid material on all four sides and does not exceed the maximum height of the district, shall be considered a minor wireless communications facility. The following shall be considered a minor wireless communications facility:

1. A wireless communications facility located on a public utility pole owned by the city;

2. A wireless communications facility located on public property or within a public right-of-way, other than a public utility pole owned by the city, if it is located 300 feet or more from a residential zone, that is in full compliance with the state public utilities commission joint pole association General Order 95, Rule 94, or any successor provisions thereto, and that does not exceed the height limit for the zone.

"Monopole" means a structure composed of a single spire, pole, or tower used to support antennas or related equipment.

"Mounted" means attached or supported.

"Personal communication service" means digital low-power, high-frequency commercial wireless radio communication technology that has the capacity for multiple communications services and the routing of calls to individuals, regardless of location.

"Roof-mounted" means mounted above the eave line of a building.

"Stealth facility" means any communication facility which is designed to blend into the surrounding environment, typically one that is architecturally integrated into a building or other concealing structure, and shall include and mean any concealed antenna.

"Temporary wireless communications facility" means a wireless communications facility that is kept portable or mobile and deployed while a permanent facility is under construction.

"Utility pole" means any pole or tower owned by any utility company that is primarily used to support wires or cables necessary to the provision of electrical or other utility services regulated by the state public utilities commission.

"Wireless communications facility" means a facility consisting of any commercial antenna, monopole, microwave dish, and/or other related equipment necessary to the transmission and/or reception of cellular, personal communication service, and/or data radio communications, and which has been granted a certificate of public convenience and necessity, or a wireless registration number by the state public utilities commission, or otherwise provides wireless communications services to the public.

(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)