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Coachella City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 17

68 - ANTENNAS

17.68.010 - Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A.

"Antenna" means a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) antenna, small DBS antenna or amateur radio/TV antenna.

B.

"Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) Antenna" means any equipment providing services such as radio, television and high-speed Internet to residential and business customers by means of a dish, parabolic or other antenna designed for receiving satellite transmission and which is specifically located on the site that directly receives such service.

C.

"Small DBS Antenna" means any DBS antenna that is:

(i)

Fixed (non-telescoping),

(ii)

Mounted to the roof, top or side of an existing building or structure, and

(iii)

Not greater than one meter in diameter at its widest point.

D.

"Amateur Radio/TV Antenna" means any equipment designed for the transmission and/or reception of radio or television signals to and from a site served by it, as part of an amateur system by means of a dipole, whip, mast or similar antenna, including, but not limited to, "ham" radio antennas.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)

17.68.020 - Approval requirements.

Antennas shall be subject to the following approvals:

A.

Small DBS antennas which are otherwise in compliance with this chapter are a permitted use and no site plan review shall be required.

B.

All other antennas shall be subject to site plan review by the planning director in accordance with Chapter 17.62 of this code.

C.

Every antenna, whether temporary or permanent, shall be subject to the review and approval of the building official where required by the building code.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)

17.68.030 - Development standards.

Every antenna shall be located, designed, constructed, treated and maintained in accordance with the standards set forth in this chapter. Antenna systems may be installed, erected and maintained within all land use zones of the city, but only in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. This chapter shall not apply to wireless communication facilities, which are instead subject to the regulations set forth in Chapter 17.86 of this code.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)

17.68.040 - Installation, size and safety requirements.

A.

Every antenna shall be installed and maintained in compliance with applicable requirements of the building code.

B.

Whenever it is necessary to install an antenna near power lines, or where damage would be caused by its falling, a separate safety wire must be attached to the antenna mast or tower, and secured in a direction away from the hazard. Antenna transmission lines must be kept at least twenty-four (24) inches clear of utility lines.

C.

Every antenna shall be adequately grounded for protection against a direct strike of lightning, with an adequate ground wire of the type approved by the latest edition of the electrical code.

D.

The maximum diameter of any antenna shall be six feet at its widest point (including all dishes, arms, panels and appurtenances) unless the planning director determines that a larger diameter is required for the proper functioning and purpose of the antenna.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)

17.68.050 - Location.

A.

No portion of any antenna shall extend beyond any lot lines of the subject site.

B.

No portion of any antenna (including mounting equipment and guy wires) shall be located in any front yard of any lot or in any side yard on the street side of a corner lot, except for small DBS antennas.

C.

No portion of any antenna shall extend into any parking or driveway areas, except for small DBS antennas.

D.

All ground-mounted antennas and those mounted to accessory structures shall be set back from the nearest property line a distance equal to the height of the ground-mounted antenna (1:1 ratio).

E.

Roof-, top- or side-mounted antennas may not be located in any residential zone. Any roof-, top- or side-mounted antenna located in a commercial, industrial or special zone shall be located within the middle one-third of the building upon which it is mounted, unless said antenna is otherwise completely screened from view from grade from the adjoining properties and adjoining public rights-of-way. The restrictions of this subsection (E) shall not apply to small DBS antennas, which may be mounted at any location on a building in any zone.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)

17.68.060 - Height.

A.

In all zones, DBS antennas mounted to the ground or on accessory structures, shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height above the grade.

B.

In commercial, industrial and special zones, roof- or top-mounted DBS antennas shall not exceed the height allowed for mechanical equipment on said building. Side-mounted DBS antennas shall not exceed the height of the building to which they are mounted.

C.

In all zones, amateur radio/TV antennas mounted to the ground or on accessory structures may not exceed forty (40) feet in height above the grade.

D.

In commercial, industrial and special zones, roof-, top- or side-mounted amateur radio/TV antennas shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet above the roof or top of the building to which they are mounted.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)

17.68.070 - Screening.

A.

Antennas shall not be composed of materials that are excessively bright, shiny, garish or reflective.

B.

Antennas shall be screened to the maximum extent practicable through the addition of architectural features and/or landscaping that harmonize with the elements and characteristics of the site upon which they are located. All ground-mounted antennas within residential zoned property shall be screened by walls, fences or landscaping at least five feet in height obscuring visibility of the antenna from grade, from the adjoining property and from adjoining public rights-of-way. Notwithstanding the above, the requirements of this subsection (B) shall not apply to small DBS antennas.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)

17.68.080 - Maintenance.

A.

Every antenna shall be maintained in good condition and in accordance with all requirements of this section.

B.

The antenna shall meet all manufacturers' specifications, and shall be of noncombustible and corrosive-resistant material. The miscellaneous hardware, such as brackets, turnbuckles, clips or similar type equipment subject to rust or corrosion shall be protected with a suitable coating to guard against rust and corrosion.

C.

Every antenna shall be subject to periodic reinspection. No additions, changes or modifications shall be made to an antenna, unless the addition, change or modification is in conformity with this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)

17.68.090 - Nonconforming use of antennas.

A.

Antennas constructed prior to the effective date of this chapter, and which do not conform to all of the requirements of this chapter shall constitute a nonconforming use.

B.

No person shall maintain or operate any antenna not fully in conformity with the provisions of this chapter after two years from the effective date of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1026, § 2, 1-12-11)