17 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES
The ordinance codified in this chapter shall provide the basic local framework for providers of wireless services and systems that require the use of the right-of-way, including providers of both the system and service, those providers of the system only, and those providers who do not build the system but who only provide services. The ordinance codified in this chapter shall apply to all future providers and to all providers in the City prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, whether operating with or without a wireless franchise as set forth herein.
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivatives shall have the meanings set forth in this Section, unless the context clearly indicates that another meaning is intended. Words used in the present tense include the future tense, words in the single number include the plural number, words in the plural number include the singular. The words "shall" and "will" are mandatory, and "may" is permissive. Words not defined shall be given their common and ordinary meaning.
"Antenna" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(1), as amended.
"Applicable codes" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(2), as amended.
"Applicable standards" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(3), as amended.
"Applicant" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(4), as amended.
"Application" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(5), as amended.
"Backhaul network" means the lines that connect a provider's WCFs to one or more cellular telephone switching offices or long distance providers, or the public switched telephone network.
"City" means American Fork City, Utah.
"Collocate" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(11), as amended. Except as otherwise allowed by this chapter, the cumulative impact of colocation at a site is limited to no more than 6 cubic feet in volume for antennas and antenna arrays, and no more than 28 cubic feet in volume of associated equipment, whether deployed on the ground or on the structure itself.
"Construction costs" means all costs of constructing a system, including make ready costs, other than engineering fees, attorney's or accountant's fees, or other consulting fees.
"Control" or "controlling interest" means actual working control in whatever manner exercised, including, without limitation, working control through ownership, management, debt instruments or negative control, as the case may be, of the system or of a provider. A rebuttable presumption of the existence of control or a controlling interest shall arise from the beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, by any person, or group of persons acting in concert, of more than 35% of any provider (which person or group of persons is hereinafter referred to as "controlling person"). "Control" or "controlling interest" as used herein may be held simultaneously by more than one person or group of persons.
"Distributed antenna system" or "DAS" means a network consisting of transceiver equipment at a central hub site to support multiple antenna locations throughout the desired coverage area.
"FAA" means the Federal Aviation Administration.
"FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission, or any successor thereto.
"Franchise" means the rights and obligations extended by the City to a provider to own, lease, construct, maintain, use or operate a wireless communication system in the right-of-way within the boundaries of the City. Any such authorization, in whatever form granted, shall not mean or include: (1) any other permit or authorization required for the privilege of transacting and carrying on a business within the City required by the ordinances and laws of the City; (2) any other permit, agreement or authorization required in connection with operations on right-of-way or public property including, without limitation, permits and agreements for placing devices on or in poles, conduits or other structures, whether owned by the City or a private entity, or for excavating or performing other work in or along the right-of-way.
"Franchise agreement" means a contract entered into in accordance with the provisions of this chapter between the City and a provider that sets forth, subject to this chapter, the terms and conditions under which a wireless franchise will be exercised.
"In-strand antenna" means an antenna that is suspended by or along a wireline between utility poles and is not physically supported by any attachments to a base station, utility support structure, or tower. An in-strand antenna may not exceed 3 cubic feet in volume. For each in-strand antenna, its associated equipment, whether deployed on the ground or on the structure itself, may not be larger than 17 cubic feet in volume. In calculating equipment volume, the volume of power meters and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services shall be excluded. In-strand antennas in the rights-of-way are exempt from the requirements of "telecommunications facilities".
"Infrastructure provider" means a person providing to another, for the purpose of providing personal wireless services to customers, all or part of the necessary system which uses the right-of-way.
"Macrocell" means a wireless communication facility that provides radio frequency coverage served by a high power cell site (tower, antenna or mast). Generally, macro cell antennas are mounted on ground-based towers, rooftops and other existing structures, at a height that provides a clear view over the surrounding buildings and terrain. Macro cell facilities are typically greater than 3 cubic feet per antenna and typically cover large geographic areas with relatively high capacity and are capable of hosting multiple wireless service providers. For purposes of this chapter, a macrocell is anything other than a small cell or in-strand antenna. In addition to the requirements found in this chapter, a macrocell must comply with the applicable zoning and use requirements as a "telecommunications facility".
"Micro wireless facility" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(21).
"Ordinance" or "wireless ordinance" means the ordinance concerning the granting of wireless franchises in and by the City for the construction, ownership, operation, use or maintenance of a wireless communication system.
"Permit" means a right-of-way occupancy permit that gives a person or entity to perform the work and install, maintain, and operate a structure included in a right-of-way occupancy application has been approved by the City Engineer.
"Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, or any other legal entity, but not the City.
"Personal wireless services facilities" has the same meaning as provided in Section 704 of the Act (47 U.S.C. Section 332(c)(7)(c)), which includes what is commonly known as cellular services.
"PSC" means the Public Service Commission, or any successor thereto.
"Right-of-way" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(24), as amended.
"Site" means the location in the right-of-way of a wireless communication facility, a utility pole, or their associated equipment.
"Small wireless facility" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(35), as amended. Small wireless facilities in the rights-of-way are exempt from the requirements of "telecommunications facilities".
"Stealth design" means technology or installation methods that minimize the visual impact of wireless communication facilities by camouflaging, disguising, screening or blending into the surrounding environment. Examples of stealth design include but are not limited to facilities disguised as trees (monopines), utility and light poles, and street furniture.
"Structure" means any pole, cabinet, box, antenna or other non-temporary structure that is installed within the right-of-way.
"Substantial modification" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(26), as amended.
"Telecommunications" means the transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user's choosing (e.g., data, video, and voice), without change in the form or content of the information sent and received.
"Telecommunications service(s)" or "services" means any telecommunications or communications services provided by a provider within the City that the provider is authorized to provide under federal, state and local law, and any equipment and/or facilities required for and integrated with the services provided within the City, except that these terms do not include "cable service" as defined in the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, as amended by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 (47 U.S.C. Section 521, et seq.), and the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
"Telecommunications system" or "system" means all conduits, manholes, poles, antennas, - transceivers, amplifiers and all other electronic devices, equipment, wire and appurtenances owned, leased, or used by a provider, located in the right-of-way and utilized in the provision of services, including fully digital or analog, voice, data and video imaging and other enhanced telecommunications services.
"Utility pole" or "pole" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(28), as amended.
"Transmission equipment" means equipment that facilitates transmission for any FCC-licensed or authorized wireless communication service, including, but not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply. The term includes equipment associated with wireless communications services including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
"Wire" means fiber optic telecommunications cable, wire, coaxial cable, or other transmission medium that may be used in lieu thereof for similar purposes.
"Wireless facility" or "WCF" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(29).
"Wireless provider" or "provider" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(31), as amended.
"Wireless service" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(32), as amended.
"Wireless support structure" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-2-101(34), as amended.
The City is empowered and authorized to issue nonexclusive wireless franchises governing the installation, construction, operation, use and maintenance of wireless system in the City's right-of-way, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The wireless franchise is granted through a wireless franchise agreement entered into between the City and provider.
Except to the extent preempted by federal or state law, every provider must obtain a wireless franchise prior to constructing, operating, leasing, or subleasing a wireless communication system or providing wireless service using the right-of-way. The fact that particular telecommunications systems may be used for multiple purposes does not obviate the need to obtain a franchise for other purposes. By way of illustration and not limitation, a cable operator of a cable system must obtain a cable franchise, and, should it intend to provide wireless services over the same system, must also obtain a wireless franchise.
A wireless franchise shall not convey title, equitable or legal, in the right-of-way. A wireless franchise is only the right to occupy right-of-way on a nonexclusive basis for the limited purpose and for the limited period stated in the wireless franchise; the right may not be subdivided, assigned, or subleased. A wireless franchise does not excuse a provider from obtaining appropriate access or pole attachment agreements before collocating its system on the property of others, including the City's property. This Section shall not be construed to prohibit a provider from leasing conduit to another provider, so long as the lessee has obtained a franchise.
Except to the extent exempted by federal or state law, any provider acting without a wireless franchise on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall request issuance of a wireless franchise from the City within 90 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. If such request is made, the provider may continue providing service during the course of negotiations.
The wireless franchise granted by the City under the provisions of this chapter shall be a nonexclusive wireless franchise providing the right and consent to install, repair, maintain, remove and replace its system on, over and under the right-of-way in order to provide services.
Before offering or providing any services pursuant to the wireless franchise, a provider shall obtain any and all regulatory approvals, permits, authorizations or licenses for the offering or provision of such services from the appropriate federal, state and local authorities, if required, and shall submit to the City upon the written request of the City evidence of all such approvals, permits, authorizations or licenses.
Each wireless franchise issued pursuant to this chapter shall have a term of 10 years and shall be granted in a nondiscriminatory manner.
As fair and reasonable compensation for any wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter, a provider shall have the following obligations
Unless otherwise agreed to in the wireless franchise agreement, all right-of-way rates shall be paid in accordance with Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-502, as amended.
Provider may request a statement showing the manner in which the fee was calculated.
A provider shall pay to the City the reasonable costs and reasonable expenses that the City incurs for services (including but not limited to attorneys and other consultants) in connection with any renewal or provider-initiated renegotiation, transfer, amendment, or a wireless franchise; provided, however, that the parties shall agree upon a reasonable financial cap at the outset of negotiations.
To the extent taxes or other assessments are imposed by taxing authorities, other than the City on the use of the City property as a result of a provider's use or occupation of the right-of-way, the provider shall be responsible for payment of its pro rata share of such taxes, payable annually unless otherwise required by the taxing authority. Such payments shall be in addition to any other fees payable pursuant to this chapter to the extent permitted by law.
In the event that any payment is not actually received by the City on or before the applicable date fixed in the wireless franchise, interest thereon shall accrue from such date until received at the rate charged for delinquent state taxes. Nonpayment shall also constitute grounds to terminate a franchise agreement.
Acceptance by the City of any rate or fee shall not be construed as an accord that the amount paid is in fact the correct amount, nor shall such acceptance of such fee payment be construed as a release of any claim the City may have for additional sums payable.
A rate or fee payment is not a payment in lieu of any tax, fee or other assessment except as specifically provided in this chapter, or as required by applicable law. By way of example, and not limitation, excavation permit fees are not waived and remain applicable.
In the event a provider continues to operate all or any part of the system after the term of the wireless :franchise, such operator shall continue to comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter and the wireless franchise, including, without limitation, all compensation and other payment provisions throughout the period of such continued operation; provided, that any such continued operation shall in no way be construed as a renewal or other extension of the wireless franchise, nor as a limitation on the remedies, if any, available to the City as a result of such continued operation after the term, including, but not limited to, damages and restitution.
A provider shall assume any publication costs associated with its wireless franchise that may be required by law.
To obtain a wireless franchise to 'construct, own, maintain or provide services through any wireless system within the City's right-of-way, or to obtain a renewal of a wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter, or to obtain the City approval of a transfer of a wireless franchise, an application must be filed with City.
In making a determination as to an application filed pursuant to this chapter, the City may, but shall not be limited to, request the following from the provider:
The City, in its discretion, shall determine the award of any wireless franchise on the basis of these and other considerations relevant to the use of the right-of-way, without competitive bidding.
The City may deny an applicant's wireless franchise application for incompleteness if:
Prior to approving a site permit, the applicant must have a valid franchise agreement granted by applicable law.
When small wireless facilities are to be constructed in the rights-of-way above ground, if allowed, the City's order of preference to be followed by a provider, if feasible, is:
In accordance with Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-103(6), as amended, a provider may not install anew utility pole in a right-of-way if the right-of-way is adjacent to a street or thoroughfare that is:
A WCF, pole, cabinet, or other equipment shall not violate the requirements in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-302, as amended. A small wireless facility, pole, cabinet, and other equipment may not:
A provider must underground its equipment in conformity with cable and utilities as provided for in City ordinances and Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-207, as amended.
Only such lighting as is necessary to satisfy FAA requirements is permitted. White strobe lighting will not be allowed, unless specifically required by the FAA. Security lighting for the equipment shelters or cabinets and other on the ground ancillary equipment is permitted, as long as it is appropriately down shielded to keep light within the boundaries of the site.
No facilities may bear any signage or advertisement except as permitted herein.
Individual WCF sites vary in the location of adjacent buildings, existing trees, topography and other local variables. By mandating certain design standards, there may result a project that could have been less intrusive if the location of the various elements of the project could have been placed in more appropriate locations within the right-of-way. Therefore, the WCF and supporting equipment shall be installed so as to best camouflage, disguise them, or conceal them, to make the WCF more closely compatible with and blend into the setting or host structure, to minimize the visual impact of the WCF, supporting equipment, and equipment enclosures on neighboring properties, or to interfere less with pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and other users of the rights-of-way upon approval by the City.
All wireless communication facilities and utility poles shall be required to obtain a site permit and shall be subject to the site development standards prescribed herein. Every site permit application, regardless of type, shall contain the information required for an application and shall provide an industry standard pole load analysis.
An application expires if the City has notified the applicant that the application is incomplete and the applicant fails to respond within 90 days of the City's notification.
Upon approval of a site permit, a provider:
All work involved in the construction, maintenance, repair, upgrade and removal of the system shall be performed in a safe, thorough, and reliable manner using materials of good and durable quality. If, at any time, it is determined by the FCC or any other agency granted authority by federal law or the FCC to make such determination, that any part of the system, including, without limitation, any means used to distribute signals over or within the system, is harmful to the public health, safety or welfare, or quality of service or reliability, then a provider shall, at its own cost and expense, promptly correct all such conditions.
A provider shall have the sole responsibility for diligently obtaining, at its own cost and expense, all permits, licenses or other forms of approval or authorization necessary to construct, maintain, upgrade or repair the wireless communication system, including but not limited to any necessary approvals from persons, entities, the City, and other government entities (such as neighboring cities or the Utah Department of Transportation) to use private property, easements, poles, conduits, and right-of-way. A provider shall obtain any required permit, license, approval or authorization, including but not limited to excavation permits, pole attachment agreements, etc., prior to the commencement of the activity for which the permit, license, approval or authorization is required.
In connection with the construction, maintenance, upgrade, repair or removal of the system, a provider shall not unreasonably obstruct the right-of-way of fixed guide way systems, railways, passenger travel, or other traffic to, from or within the City without the prior consent of the appropriate authorities.
A provider shall, at its own cost and expense, undertake all necessary and appropriate efforts to prevent accidents at its work sites, including the placing and maintenance of proper guards, fences, barricades, security personnel and suitable and sufficient lighting, and such other requirements prescribed by OSHA and Utah OSHA. A provider shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local requirements including but not limited to the National Electric Safety Code.
A provider shall:
This section was repealed by Ordinance No. 2022-03-16
A provider shall provide every July 1st to the City an inventory of its existing WCFs or sites approved for WCFs, that are either within the jurisdiction of the City or within one mile of the border thereof, including specific information about the location, height, and design of each WCF and utility pole. The City may share such information with other applicants applying for permits under this chapter or other organizations seeking to locate antennas within the jurisdiction of the City; provided, however, that the City is not, by sharing such information, in any way representing or warranting that such sites are available or suitable.
The following events shall be deemed to be a sale, assignment or other transfer of the wireless franchise requiring City approval:
The City shall have the right to oversee, regulate and inspect periodically the construction, maintenance, and upgrade of the wireless communication system, and any part thereof, in accordance with the provisions of the wireless franchise and applicable law. A provider shall establish and maintain managerial and operational records, standards, procedures and controls to enable a provider to prove, in reasonable detail, to the satisfaction of the City at all times throughout the term, that a provider is in compliance with the wireless franchise. A provider shall retain such records for not less than the applicable statute of limitations.
A provider shall at all times maintain:
If the information required to be submitted is proprietary in nature or may be kept confidential under federal, state or local law, the provider may make such a request in writing in accordance with the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act, Title 63G Chapter 2 of the Utah Code Ann., as amended ("GRAMA"). A provider recognizes that the City, as a governmental entity under GRAMA, cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information in the City's possession, and the provider submits such information at its own risk.
All reports and records required under this chapter shall be furnished at the sole expense of a provider, except as otherwise provided in this chapter or a wireless franchise.
For the purpose of verifying the correct amount of the wireless franchise fee, the books and records of the provider pertaining thereto shall be open to inspection or audit by duly authorized representatives of the City at all reasonable times, upon giving reasonable notice of the intention to inspect or audit the books and records; provided, that the City shall not audit the books and records of the provider more often than annually. The provider agrees to reimburse the City the reasonable costs of an audit if the audit discloses that the provider has paid ninety-five percent or less of the compensation due the City for the period of such audit. In the event the accounting rendered to the City by the provider herein is found to be incorrect, then payment shall be made on the corrected amount within 30 calendar days of written notice, it being agreed that the City may accept any amount offered by the provider, but the acceptance thereof by the City shall not be deemed a settlement of such item if the amount is in dispute or is later found to be incorrect.
In the event a provider's performance of any of the terms, conditions or obligations required by this chapter or a wireless franchise is prevented by a cause or event not within a provider's control, such inability to perform shall be deemed excused and no penalties or sanctions shall be imposed as a result thereof. For the purpose of this Section, causes or events not within the control of a provider shall include, without limitation, acts of God, strikes, sabotage, riots or civil disturbances, failure or loss Qf utilities, explosions, acts of public enemies, and natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, and fires.
A provider is subject to the removal and abandonment requirements of Chapter 12.14.
Before entering onto any private property, a provider shall notify the property owners in advance and describe the work to be performed.
In the event of a conflict between any provision of this chapter and a wireless franchise entered pursuant to it, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
If any provision of this chapter is held by any federal, state or local court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid as conflicting with any federal or state statute, or is ordered by a court to be modified in any way in order to conform to the requirements of any such law and all appellate remedies with regard to the validity of the chapter provisions in question are exhausted, such provision shall be considered a separate, distinct, and independent part of this chapter, and such holding shall not affect the validity and enforceability of all other provisions hereof. In the event that such law is subsequently repealed, rescinded, amended or otherwise changed so that the provision which had been held invalid or modified is no longer in conflict with such law the provision in question shall return to full force and effect and shall again be binding on the City and the provider; provided, that the City shall give the provider 30 days, or a longer period of time as may be reasonably required for a provider to comply with such a rejuvenated provision, written notice of the change before requiring compliance with such provision.
It shall be the policy of the City to liberally amend this chapter, upon application of a provider, when necessary to enable the provider to take advantage of any developments in the field of personal wireless services which will afford the provider an opportunity to more effectively, efficiently, or economically serve itself or the public.
All notices from a provider to the City required under this chapter or pursuant to a wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter shall be directed to the officer as designated by the mayor. A provider shall provide in any application for a wireless franchise the identity, address and phone number to receive notices from the City. A provider shall immediately notify the City of any change in its name, address, or telephone number.
To the full extent permitted by applicable law either now or in the future, the City reserves the right to amend this chapter and/or to adopt or issue such rules, regulations, orders, or other directives that it finds necessary or appropriate in the lawful exercise of its police powers and its power to manage the right-of-way.
This chapter shall be construed in a manner consistent with all applicable federal and state statutes.
This chapter shall apply to all wireless franchises granted or renewed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. This chapter shall further apply, to the extent permitted by applicable federal or state law, to all existing wireless franchises granted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and to a provider providing services, without a wireless franchise, prior to the effective date of this chapter.
A provider's rights are subject to the police powers of the City to adopt and enforce ordinances necessary to the health, safety and welfare of the public. A provider shall comply with all applicable general laws and ordinances enacted by the City pursuant to its police powers. In particular, all providers shall comply with the City zoning and other land use requirements.
A provider shall not be relieved of its obligation to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or any wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter by reason of any failure of the City to enforce prompt compliance.
This chapter and any wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the state of Utah. Specifically, in the event of any conflict between this chapter with the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, Title 54 Chapter 21 of the Utah Code Ann., as amended, the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act shall control.
17 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES
The ordinance codified in this chapter shall provide the basic local framework for providers of wireless services and systems that require the use of the right-of-way, including providers of both the system and service, those providers of the system only, and those providers who do not build the system but who only provide services. The ordinance codified in this chapter shall apply to all future providers and to all providers in the City prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, whether operating with or without a wireless franchise as set forth herein.
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivatives shall have the meanings set forth in this Section, unless the context clearly indicates that another meaning is intended. Words used in the present tense include the future tense, words in the single number include the plural number, words in the plural number include the singular. The words "shall" and "will" are mandatory, and "may" is permissive. Words not defined shall be given their common and ordinary meaning.
"Antenna" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(1), as amended.
"Applicable codes" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(2), as amended.
"Applicable standards" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(3), as amended.
"Applicant" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(4), as amended.
"Application" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(5), as amended.
"Backhaul network" means the lines that connect a provider's WCFs to one or more cellular telephone switching offices or long distance providers, or the public switched telephone network.
"City" means American Fork City, Utah.
"Collocate" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(11), as amended. Except as otherwise allowed by this chapter, the cumulative impact of colocation at a site is limited to no more than 6 cubic feet in volume for antennas and antenna arrays, and no more than 28 cubic feet in volume of associated equipment, whether deployed on the ground or on the structure itself.
"Construction costs" means all costs of constructing a system, including make ready costs, other than engineering fees, attorney's or accountant's fees, or other consulting fees.
"Control" or "controlling interest" means actual working control in whatever manner exercised, including, without limitation, working control through ownership, management, debt instruments or negative control, as the case may be, of the system or of a provider. A rebuttable presumption of the existence of control or a controlling interest shall arise from the beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, by any person, or group of persons acting in concert, of more than 35% of any provider (which person or group of persons is hereinafter referred to as "controlling person"). "Control" or "controlling interest" as used herein may be held simultaneously by more than one person or group of persons.
"Distributed antenna system" or "DAS" means a network consisting of transceiver equipment at a central hub site to support multiple antenna locations throughout the desired coverage area.
"FAA" means the Federal Aviation Administration.
"FCC" means the Federal Communications Commission, or any successor thereto.
"Franchise" means the rights and obligations extended by the City to a provider to own, lease, construct, maintain, use or operate a wireless communication system in the right-of-way within the boundaries of the City. Any such authorization, in whatever form granted, shall not mean or include: (1) any other permit or authorization required for the privilege of transacting and carrying on a business within the City required by the ordinances and laws of the City; (2) any other permit, agreement or authorization required in connection with operations on right-of-way or public property including, without limitation, permits and agreements for placing devices on or in poles, conduits or other structures, whether owned by the City or a private entity, or for excavating or performing other work in or along the right-of-way.
"Franchise agreement" means a contract entered into in accordance with the provisions of this chapter between the City and a provider that sets forth, subject to this chapter, the terms and conditions under which a wireless franchise will be exercised.
"In-strand antenna" means an antenna that is suspended by or along a wireline between utility poles and is not physically supported by any attachments to a base station, utility support structure, or tower. An in-strand antenna may not exceed 3 cubic feet in volume. For each in-strand antenna, its associated equipment, whether deployed on the ground or on the structure itself, may not be larger than 17 cubic feet in volume. In calculating equipment volume, the volume of power meters and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services shall be excluded. In-strand antennas in the rights-of-way are exempt from the requirements of "telecommunications facilities".
"Infrastructure provider" means a person providing to another, for the purpose of providing personal wireless services to customers, all or part of the necessary system which uses the right-of-way.
"Macrocell" means a wireless communication facility that provides radio frequency coverage served by a high power cell site (tower, antenna or mast). Generally, macro cell antennas are mounted on ground-based towers, rooftops and other existing structures, at a height that provides a clear view over the surrounding buildings and terrain. Macro cell facilities are typically greater than 3 cubic feet per antenna and typically cover large geographic areas with relatively high capacity and are capable of hosting multiple wireless service providers. For purposes of this chapter, a macrocell is anything other than a small cell or in-strand antenna. In addition to the requirements found in this chapter, a macrocell must comply with the applicable zoning and use requirements as a "telecommunications facility".
"Micro wireless facility" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(21).
"Ordinance" or "wireless ordinance" means the ordinance concerning the granting of wireless franchises in and by the City for the construction, ownership, operation, use or maintenance of a wireless communication system.
"Permit" means a right-of-way occupancy permit that gives a person or entity to perform the work and install, maintain, and operate a structure included in a right-of-way occupancy application has been approved by the City Engineer.
"Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, or any other legal entity, but not the City.
"Personal wireless services facilities" has the same meaning as provided in Section 704 of the Act (47 U.S.C. Section 332(c)(7)(c)), which includes what is commonly known as cellular services.
"PSC" means the Public Service Commission, or any successor thereto.
"Right-of-way" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(24), as amended.
"Site" means the location in the right-of-way of a wireless communication facility, a utility pole, or their associated equipment.
"Small wireless facility" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(35), as amended. Small wireless facilities in the rights-of-way are exempt from the requirements of "telecommunications facilities".
"Stealth design" means technology or installation methods that minimize the visual impact of wireless communication facilities by camouflaging, disguising, screening or blending into the surrounding environment. Examples of stealth design include but are not limited to facilities disguised as trees (monopines), utility and light poles, and street furniture.
"Structure" means any pole, cabinet, box, antenna or other non-temporary structure that is installed within the right-of-way.
"Substantial modification" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(26), as amended.
"Telecommunications" means the transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user's choosing (e.g., data, video, and voice), without change in the form or content of the information sent and received.
"Telecommunications service(s)" or "services" means any telecommunications or communications services provided by a provider within the City that the provider is authorized to provide under federal, state and local law, and any equipment and/or facilities required for and integrated with the services provided within the City, except that these terms do not include "cable service" as defined in the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, as amended by the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992 (47 U.S.C. Section 521, et seq.), and the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
"Telecommunications system" or "system" means all conduits, manholes, poles, antennas, - transceivers, amplifiers and all other electronic devices, equipment, wire and appurtenances owned, leased, or used by a provider, located in the right-of-way and utilized in the provision of services, including fully digital or analog, voice, data and video imaging and other enhanced telecommunications services.
"Utility pole" or "pole" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(28), as amended.
"Transmission equipment" means equipment that facilitates transmission for any FCC-licensed or authorized wireless communication service, including, but not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and regular and backup power supply. The term includes equipment associated with wireless communications services including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
"Wire" means fiber optic telecommunications cable, wire, coaxial cable, or other transmission medium that may be used in lieu thereof for similar purposes.
"Wireless facility" or "WCF" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(29).
"Wireless provider" or "provider" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(31), as amended.
"Wireless service" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-101(32), as amended.
"Wireless support structure" is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 54-2-101(34), as amended.
The City is empowered and authorized to issue nonexclusive wireless franchises governing the installation, construction, operation, use and maintenance of wireless system in the City's right-of-way, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The wireless franchise is granted through a wireless franchise agreement entered into between the City and provider.
Except to the extent preempted by federal or state law, every provider must obtain a wireless franchise prior to constructing, operating, leasing, or subleasing a wireless communication system or providing wireless service using the right-of-way. The fact that particular telecommunications systems may be used for multiple purposes does not obviate the need to obtain a franchise for other purposes. By way of illustration and not limitation, a cable operator of a cable system must obtain a cable franchise, and, should it intend to provide wireless services over the same system, must also obtain a wireless franchise.
A wireless franchise shall not convey title, equitable or legal, in the right-of-way. A wireless franchise is only the right to occupy right-of-way on a nonexclusive basis for the limited purpose and for the limited period stated in the wireless franchise; the right may not be subdivided, assigned, or subleased. A wireless franchise does not excuse a provider from obtaining appropriate access or pole attachment agreements before collocating its system on the property of others, including the City's property. This Section shall not be construed to prohibit a provider from leasing conduit to another provider, so long as the lessee has obtained a franchise.
Except to the extent exempted by federal or state law, any provider acting without a wireless franchise on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall request issuance of a wireless franchise from the City within 90 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. If such request is made, the provider may continue providing service during the course of negotiations.
The wireless franchise granted by the City under the provisions of this chapter shall be a nonexclusive wireless franchise providing the right and consent to install, repair, maintain, remove and replace its system on, over and under the right-of-way in order to provide services.
Before offering or providing any services pursuant to the wireless franchise, a provider shall obtain any and all regulatory approvals, permits, authorizations or licenses for the offering or provision of such services from the appropriate federal, state and local authorities, if required, and shall submit to the City upon the written request of the City evidence of all such approvals, permits, authorizations or licenses.
Each wireless franchise issued pursuant to this chapter shall have a term of 10 years and shall be granted in a nondiscriminatory manner.
As fair and reasonable compensation for any wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter, a provider shall have the following obligations
Unless otherwise agreed to in the wireless franchise agreement, all right-of-way rates shall be paid in accordance with Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-502, as amended.
Provider may request a statement showing the manner in which the fee was calculated.
A provider shall pay to the City the reasonable costs and reasonable expenses that the City incurs for services (including but not limited to attorneys and other consultants) in connection with any renewal or provider-initiated renegotiation, transfer, amendment, or a wireless franchise; provided, however, that the parties shall agree upon a reasonable financial cap at the outset of negotiations.
To the extent taxes or other assessments are imposed by taxing authorities, other than the City on the use of the City property as a result of a provider's use or occupation of the right-of-way, the provider shall be responsible for payment of its pro rata share of such taxes, payable annually unless otherwise required by the taxing authority. Such payments shall be in addition to any other fees payable pursuant to this chapter to the extent permitted by law.
In the event that any payment is not actually received by the City on or before the applicable date fixed in the wireless franchise, interest thereon shall accrue from such date until received at the rate charged for delinquent state taxes. Nonpayment shall also constitute grounds to terminate a franchise agreement.
Acceptance by the City of any rate or fee shall not be construed as an accord that the amount paid is in fact the correct amount, nor shall such acceptance of such fee payment be construed as a release of any claim the City may have for additional sums payable.
A rate or fee payment is not a payment in lieu of any tax, fee or other assessment except as specifically provided in this chapter, or as required by applicable law. By way of example, and not limitation, excavation permit fees are not waived and remain applicable.
In the event a provider continues to operate all or any part of the system after the term of the wireless :franchise, such operator shall continue to comply with all applicable provisions of this chapter and the wireless franchise, including, without limitation, all compensation and other payment provisions throughout the period of such continued operation; provided, that any such continued operation shall in no way be construed as a renewal or other extension of the wireless franchise, nor as a limitation on the remedies, if any, available to the City as a result of such continued operation after the term, including, but not limited to, damages and restitution.
A provider shall assume any publication costs associated with its wireless franchise that may be required by law.
To obtain a wireless franchise to 'construct, own, maintain or provide services through any wireless system within the City's right-of-way, or to obtain a renewal of a wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter, or to obtain the City approval of a transfer of a wireless franchise, an application must be filed with City.
In making a determination as to an application filed pursuant to this chapter, the City may, but shall not be limited to, request the following from the provider:
The City, in its discretion, shall determine the award of any wireless franchise on the basis of these and other considerations relevant to the use of the right-of-way, without competitive bidding.
The City may deny an applicant's wireless franchise application for incompleteness if:
Prior to approving a site permit, the applicant must have a valid franchise agreement granted by applicable law.
When small wireless facilities are to be constructed in the rights-of-way above ground, if allowed, the City's order of preference to be followed by a provider, if feasible, is:
In accordance with Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-103(6), as amended, a provider may not install anew utility pole in a right-of-way if the right-of-way is adjacent to a street or thoroughfare that is:
A WCF, pole, cabinet, or other equipment shall not violate the requirements in Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-302, as amended. A small wireless facility, pole, cabinet, and other equipment may not:
A provider must underground its equipment in conformity with cable and utilities as provided for in City ordinances and Utah Code Ann. § 54-21-207, as amended.
Only such lighting as is necessary to satisfy FAA requirements is permitted. White strobe lighting will not be allowed, unless specifically required by the FAA. Security lighting for the equipment shelters or cabinets and other on the ground ancillary equipment is permitted, as long as it is appropriately down shielded to keep light within the boundaries of the site.
No facilities may bear any signage or advertisement except as permitted herein.
Individual WCF sites vary in the location of adjacent buildings, existing trees, topography and other local variables. By mandating certain design standards, there may result a project that could have been less intrusive if the location of the various elements of the project could have been placed in more appropriate locations within the right-of-way. Therefore, the WCF and supporting equipment shall be installed so as to best camouflage, disguise them, or conceal them, to make the WCF more closely compatible with and blend into the setting or host structure, to minimize the visual impact of the WCF, supporting equipment, and equipment enclosures on neighboring properties, or to interfere less with pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and other users of the rights-of-way upon approval by the City.
All wireless communication facilities and utility poles shall be required to obtain a site permit and shall be subject to the site development standards prescribed herein. Every site permit application, regardless of type, shall contain the information required for an application and shall provide an industry standard pole load analysis.
An application expires if the City has notified the applicant that the application is incomplete and the applicant fails to respond within 90 days of the City's notification.
Upon approval of a site permit, a provider:
All work involved in the construction, maintenance, repair, upgrade and removal of the system shall be performed in a safe, thorough, and reliable manner using materials of good and durable quality. If, at any time, it is determined by the FCC or any other agency granted authority by federal law or the FCC to make such determination, that any part of the system, including, without limitation, any means used to distribute signals over or within the system, is harmful to the public health, safety or welfare, or quality of service or reliability, then a provider shall, at its own cost and expense, promptly correct all such conditions.
A provider shall have the sole responsibility for diligently obtaining, at its own cost and expense, all permits, licenses or other forms of approval or authorization necessary to construct, maintain, upgrade or repair the wireless communication system, including but not limited to any necessary approvals from persons, entities, the City, and other government entities (such as neighboring cities or the Utah Department of Transportation) to use private property, easements, poles, conduits, and right-of-way. A provider shall obtain any required permit, license, approval or authorization, including but not limited to excavation permits, pole attachment agreements, etc., prior to the commencement of the activity for which the permit, license, approval or authorization is required.
In connection with the construction, maintenance, upgrade, repair or removal of the system, a provider shall not unreasonably obstruct the right-of-way of fixed guide way systems, railways, passenger travel, or other traffic to, from or within the City without the prior consent of the appropriate authorities.
A provider shall, at its own cost and expense, undertake all necessary and appropriate efforts to prevent accidents at its work sites, including the placing and maintenance of proper guards, fences, barricades, security personnel and suitable and sufficient lighting, and such other requirements prescribed by OSHA and Utah OSHA. A provider shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local requirements including but not limited to the National Electric Safety Code.
A provider shall:
This section was repealed by Ordinance No. 2022-03-16
A provider shall provide every July 1st to the City an inventory of its existing WCFs or sites approved for WCFs, that are either within the jurisdiction of the City or within one mile of the border thereof, including specific information about the location, height, and design of each WCF and utility pole. The City may share such information with other applicants applying for permits under this chapter or other organizations seeking to locate antennas within the jurisdiction of the City; provided, however, that the City is not, by sharing such information, in any way representing or warranting that such sites are available or suitable.
The following events shall be deemed to be a sale, assignment or other transfer of the wireless franchise requiring City approval:
The City shall have the right to oversee, regulate and inspect periodically the construction, maintenance, and upgrade of the wireless communication system, and any part thereof, in accordance with the provisions of the wireless franchise and applicable law. A provider shall establish and maintain managerial and operational records, standards, procedures and controls to enable a provider to prove, in reasonable detail, to the satisfaction of the City at all times throughout the term, that a provider is in compliance with the wireless franchise. A provider shall retain such records for not less than the applicable statute of limitations.
A provider shall at all times maintain:
If the information required to be submitted is proprietary in nature or may be kept confidential under federal, state or local law, the provider may make such a request in writing in accordance with the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act, Title 63G Chapter 2 of the Utah Code Ann., as amended ("GRAMA"). A provider recognizes that the City, as a governmental entity under GRAMA, cannot guarantee the confidentiality of any information in the City's possession, and the provider submits such information at its own risk.
All reports and records required under this chapter shall be furnished at the sole expense of a provider, except as otherwise provided in this chapter or a wireless franchise.
For the purpose of verifying the correct amount of the wireless franchise fee, the books and records of the provider pertaining thereto shall be open to inspection or audit by duly authorized representatives of the City at all reasonable times, upon giving reasonable notice of the intention to inspect or audit the books and records; provided, that the City shall not audit the books and records of the provider more often than annually. The provider agrees to reimburse the City the reasonable costs of an audit if the audit discloses that the provider has paid ninety-five percent or less of the compensation due the City for the period of such audit. In the event the accounting rendered to the City by the provider herein is found to be incorrect, then payment shall be made on the corrected amount within 30 calendar days of written notice, it being agreed that the City may accept any amount offered by the provider, but the acceptance thereof by the City shall not be deemed a settlement of such item if the amount is in dispute or is later found to be incorrect.
In the event a provider's performance of any of the terms, conditions or obligations required by this chapter or a wireless franchise is prevented by a cause or event not within a provider's control, such inability to perform shall be deemed excused and no penalties or sanctions shall be imposed as a result thereof. For the purpose of this Section, causes or events not within the control of a provider shall include, without limitation, acts of God, strikes, sabotage, riots or civil disturbances, failure or loss Qf utilities, explosions, acts of public enemies, and natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, and fires.
A provider is subject to the removal and abandonment requirements of Chapter 12.14.
Before entering onto any private property, a provider shall notify the property owners in advance and describe the work to be performed.
In the event of a conflict between any provision of this chapter and a wireless franchise entered pursuant to it, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
If any provision of this chapter is held by any federal, state or local court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid as conflicting with any federal or state statute, or is ordered by a court to be modified in any way in order to conform to the requirements of any such law and all appellate remedies with regard to the validity of the chapter provisions in question are exhausted, such provision shall be considered a separate, distinct, and independent part of this chapter, and such holding shall not affect the validity and enforceability of all other provisions hereof. In the event that such law is subsequently repealed, rescinded, amended or otherwise changed so that the provision which had been held invalid or modified is no longer in conflict with such law the provision in question shall return to full force and effect and shall again be binding on the City and the provider; provided, that the City shall give the provider 30 days, or a longer period of time as may be reasonably required for a provider to comply with such a rejuvenated provision, written notice of the change before requiring compliance with such provision.
It shall be the policy of the City to liberally amend this chapter, upon application of a provider, when necessary to enable the provider to take advantage of any developments in the field of personal wireless services which will afford the provider an opportunity to more effectively, efficiently, or economically serve itself or the public.
All notices from a provider to the City required under this chapter or pursuant to a wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter shall be directed to the officer as designated by the mayor. A provider shall provide in any application for a wireless franchise the identity, address and phone number to receive notices from the City. A provider shall immediately notify the City of any change in its name, address, or telephone number.
To the full extent permitted by applicable law either now or in the future, the City reserves the right to amend this chapter and/or to adopt or issue such rules, regulations, orders, or other directives that it finds necessary or appropriate in the lawful exercise of its police powers and its power to manage the right-of-way.
This chapter shall be construed in a manner consistent with all applicable federal and state statutes.
This chapter shall apply to all wireless franchises granted or renewed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. This chapter shall further apply, to the extent permitted by applicable federal or state law, to all existing wireless franchises granted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and to a provider providing services, without a wireless franchise, prior to the effective date of this chapter.
A provider's rights are subject to the police powers of the City to adopt and enforce ordinances necessary to the health, safety and welfare of the public. A provider shall comply with all applicable general laws and ordinances enacted by the City pursuant to its police powers. In particular, all providers shall comply with the City zoning and other land use requirements.
A provider shall not be relieved of its obligation to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or any wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter by reason of any failure of the City to enforce prompt compliance.
This chapter and any wireless franchise granted pursuant to this chapter shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the substantive laws of the state of Utah. Specifically, in the event of any conflict between this chapter with the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, Title 54 Chapter 21 of the Utah Code Ann., as amended, the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act shall control.