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Cupertino City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 19

136: WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

19.136.010 Purpose.

This chapter establishes regulations pertaining to the location, siting, development, design and permitting of wireless communications facilities for all zones existing in this City in order to:

  1. Facilitate the development of a wireless communications infrastructure in the City for commercial, public and emergency uses, and
  2. Protect the health, safety, welfare and aesthetic concerns of the public.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2038 (part), 2009; Ord. 1736, (part), 1996; Ord. 1601, Exh. A (part), 1992)


19.136.020 Applicability of Regulations.

This chapter shall apply to all types of aerials and associated facilities used for wireless communications, that is, the transmitting and/or receiving of voice, data, video images and other information through the air via signals in the radio and microwave frequency band. This includes aerials for amateur radio, television, wireless modems, cellular phones, enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR), personal communications services (PCS), paging systems, satellite communications and other wireless communication technologies utilizing signals in the radio and microwave frequency band. No wireless communication facility: antennas, masts, towers and associated equipment shall be hereafter erected, structurally altered or enlarged other than in conformance with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable provisions of this title.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2038 (part), 2009; Ord. 1736, (part), 1996; Ord. 1601, Exh. A (part), 1992)


19.136.030 Site Locations.

  1. Residential and Home Occupation Aerials.
    1. Aerials intended for the private use of onsite residents and guests and for home occupation purposes are allowed on all residentially zoned and used properties.
  2. Commercial, Office, Industrial, Public Utility Aerials.
    1. Aerials intended for commercial, office, industrial and public use are prohibited on residentially zoned and used properties, except the RHS zoning district. Aerials may also be allowed on common-interest areas of residential or mixed-use planned development zoned properties subject to homeowner association approval, in accord with the permit requirements of Section 19.136.080.
    2. Such aerials may be allowed in all other zoning districts pursuant to permitting procedures established under Section 19.136.080.
    3. Such aerials are allowed on utility poles and towers, regardless of the zoning district, as long as the aerial complies with Section 19.136.070(C).

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2038 (part), 2009; Ord. 1736, (part), 1996)


19.136.040 General Site Development Regulations.

Provisions in Table 19.136.040 apply to all residential and home occupation, commercial, office, industrial and public utility aerials.

A. AerialsAerials shall not exceed a height of fifty-five feet above finished grade measured at the mast base, unless otherwise provided in accordance with Section 19.136.050.
B. Antenna
  1. An antenna consisting of a single vertical element not more than four inches in diameter in lieu of a horizontal arrangement shall be exempt from the height restriction.
  2. Antennas and/or guy wires shall not overlap adjoining properties and shall not encroach upon an easement without the written consent of the owner of the easement which shall be attached to the application for a building permit.
C. Masts and Towers
  1. Wood towers shall not be erected.
  2. The number of towers, and detached masts exceeding eight inches in diameter at the base and thirty feet in height above ground level, shall be limited as follows:
Lot SizeMaximum Number of Towers and Detached Masts

a. < 30,000 square feet

One.

b. ≥ 30,000 square feet

Two.Additional towers, and detached masts, above two, not meeting the criteria stated in Section 19.136.040(C)(2) require permits in accord with Section 19.136.080.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011)


19.136.050 Specific Site Development Regulations.

Table 19.136.050 sets forth the rules and regulations for the development of personal wireless communication facilities.

19.136.060 Design and Site Review.

For aerials requiring discretionary review, the primary review objectives are to ensure the goals of Section 19.136.010 are met and to blend the design of the aerial into the surrounding environment, or site the aerial in such a manner to minimize the visual intrusiveness of the structure or artistically enhance the appearance of the aerial. This review may include, but not be limited to, the following criteria:

  1. Gaps in coverage that would create emergency communication problems;
  2. Viability of alternative locations, such as commercial, industrial, office, and public building sites;
  3. Method of antenna-mounting, that is, wall-mounting, roof-mounting or a freestanding structure;
  4. Colors, materials and textures to integrate the aerial into the surrounding environment or building;
  5. Landscaping to screen the aerial;
  6. Proximity and visibility of the aerial to residential properties and public rights-of-way;
  7. Dispersal of aerial locations to avoid visual clutter;
  8. Concentration of aerial locations to avoid visual clutter;
  9. Opportunities for collocation of aerials on existing masts and towers where visual intrusiveness is reduced;
  10. Design of the building or enclosure, which houses the related base equipment and its compatibility with the adjoining building architecture;
  11. Opportunities to develop context-appropriate, artistically enhanced aerial designs;
  12. Screening of highly visible rooftop-mounted aerials; and
  13. Balancing of aesthetic concerns with the need to provide a functional communications system.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2038 (part), 2009; Ord. 1736, (part), 1996)


19.136.070 Application Requirements.

In addition to the standard application requirements in Chapter 19.12, the applicant may be required to provide the following additional materials:

  1. If more than one aerial is planned in the City within a year by a single communication service provider, a master plan shall be prepared of all facilities that can be reasonably foreseen, showing the proposed aerial sites and existing commercial, office, industrial and public utility aerial locations within a one mile radius of the proposed sites. The purpose of this requirement is to identify opportunities for clustering, dispersal and collocation of aerials to reduce visual intrusiveness;
  2. Erection of a mock aerial, computer simulation or sight-line elevations for all aerials to help assess the visual effects; and
  3. Documentation that the technology and usage of that technology meets Federal Communications Commission adopted safety standards.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2038 (part), 2009; Ord. 1736, (part), 1996)


19.136.080 Permitting Procedures and Conditions of Approval.

Table 19.136.080 sets forth the permitting requirements for detached and building mounted aerials. All permits shall be processed in accord with the requirements of Chapter 19.12.


19.136.090 Height Exception–Findings.

The Approval Body may grant the height exception based upon all of the following findings:

  1. That the literal enforcement of the provisions of this chapter will result in restrictions inconsistent with the spirit and intent of this chapter;
  2. That granting of an exception will not result in a condition that will be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and will not be materially detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare;
  3. That the exception to be granted will not result in a hazardous condition for pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011)


19.136.100 Appeals.

The Approval Body's decision on the exception request may be appealed in accord with the requirements of Chapter 19.12.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2038 (part), 2009; Ord. 1736, (part), 1996)


Table 19.136.050 - Specific Site Development Regulations

Table 19.136.050 - Specific Site Development Regulations
A. Minimum Setbacks and Height Limits

1. Residential and Home Occupation Aerials

a. Aerials with panel or dish antennas of more than ten square feet

Shall comply with the setbacks and height limits for accessory structures.

b. Masts and towers

Shall be located at least ten feet to the rear of the front building setback line and shall be set back at least six feet from any property line.

2. Commercial, Office, Industrial, Public Utility Aerials

a. Aerials mounted on buildings that exceed aerial height limits in Section 19.136.040

May extend six feet above the building parapet wall.An additional one foot of height is allowed for every ten feet that the aerial is setback from the parapet, to a maximum height of ten feet above the building parapet, before a height exception is required

b. Free-standing or Building Mounted Aerials

Type of Aerial/ Location

Non-residentially zoned propertyResidentially zoned property

Detached Masts and Towers, except for utility poles and towers used as aerials

75 feet horizontally from residentially zoned property or a distance equal to one foot for every one foot of structure height, whichever is greater75 feet horizontally from residentially zoned property or a distance equal to one foot for every one foot of structure height, whichever is greater

Building Mounted Aerials

75 feet horizontally from any residentially zoned property75 feet horizontally from any residentially zoned property

c. Base Equipment Stations

Shall comply with Chapter 19.100 and Chapter 10.48, Community Noise Control

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011)


Table 19.136.080: Permitting Procedures and Conditions of Approval

Type of Aerial
Permit Required
A. In all zoning districts

1. Aerials that exceed maximum height limits

Height Exception, except as otherwise provided in Section 19.136.050

2. Masts and Towers identified in 19.136.040 (C)(2)(b)

Development Permit approved by Planning Commission
B. In zoning districts that require design review, aerials that are:

1. Minimally visible to residential properties and public rights-of-way

Administrative Approval

2. Building mounted, and moderately visible to residential properties and public rights-of-way

The Director of Community Development, in his or her discretion, may refer an application to the Planning Commission for review and approval

3. Detached and are moderately to highly visible to residential properties and public rights-of-way

Development Permit approved by Planning Commission

4. Aerials located in the common-interest areas of residential or mixed-use planned development zones

Use Permit approved by Planning Commission
C. Conditions of Approval

1. Collocation

All commercial, office, industrial, and public utility aerial mast and tower approvals shall be conditioned to allow the collocation of aerials and related facilities of other commercial, office, industrial, and public utility users where appropriate and feasible.

2. Abandonment

All City approvals for new aerials and modifications of existing aerial approvals shall be conditioned to require the removal of the aerial, its associated facilities and restoration of the land to its former condition if the aerial is not used for its permitted purpose for a period of eighteen months. The property owner or applicant shall bear the entire cost of demolition and land restoration.
D. Technology, Information and Communications CommissionThe Approval Body, in its review, shall seek the technical consultation of the designated member or members of the Technology, Information and Communications Commission.

(Ord. 2085, § 2 (part), 2011; Ord. 2038 (part), 2009; Ord. 1736, (part), 1996)