As used in this chapter:

"Antenna" means any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio, television or personal communication services through the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves.

"Antenna height" means the overall vertical length of the antenna support structure above grade or, if such system is located on a building, then the overall vertical length of the building upon which the structure is mounted plus the length of the antennae to its highest point shall be included.

"Antenna support structure" means any structure, mast, pole, tripod or tower utilized for the purpose of supporting an antenna or antennae for the purpose of transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves.

"FAA" is an acronym for the Federal Aviation Administration.

"FCC" is an acronym for the Federal Communications Commission.

"Preexisting towers and antennae" means any tower or antennae for which a permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

"Village" means the Village of Harwood Heights.

It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, trust or other legal entity to install, construct or increase the height of any support structure within the village without first filing for and obtaining the proper building and electrical permits therefore; except that a building permit shall not be required for the roof installation of an antenna structure not more than twelve (12) feet in height for the sole purpose of private radio or television reception.

Application for a permit to install, construct or increase the height of any support structure within the village shall be made upon forms provided by the village for that purpose and shall contain the following information:

A.

The location plan for the antenna and support structure;

B.

The manufacturer's specifications for installation including details for footing, guy wires and supports;

C.

A licensed structural engineer's analysis detailing structural stability;

D.

A copy of the applicant's homeowner or other applicable liability insurance policy.

The permit fee shall be as established in the village fee schedule appended to this code as Appendix 1 and shall be issued upon payment of the permit fee and completion of the final building and electrical inspections conducted by the village.

(Ord. No. 24-09, § 2, 10-24-24)

The installation of any antenna structure mounted on any support structure shall not be erected nearer to the lot line than the total height of the antenna structure above the roof, nor shall such structure be erected near electric power lines or encroach upon any street or other public space.

A.

Village Property. Antennae located on property owned, leased, or otherwise controlled by the village shall be, exempt from the requirements of this chapter provided a license or lease authorizing such antennae has been approved by the mayor and board of trustees.

B.

Amateur Radio—Receive-Only Antennae. This chapter shall not govern any tower, or the installation of any antennae, that is under seventy (70) feet in height and is owned and operated by a federally licensed amateur radio station operator or is used exclusively as receive-only antennae.

C.

Preexisting Towers and Antennae. Any tower and/or antennae for which a permit has been properly issued prior to the effective date of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall not be required to meet the terms and conditions of this chapter, other than to comply with the current standards determined by the FAA, the FCC and any other agency of the federal government with the authority to regulate towers and antennae; and to maintain such tower and/or antennae in compliance with the current village building, electrical and zoning codes.

No antennae support structure shall exceed seventy-five (75) feet above the established grade at the site of such construction and installation.

A.

Material. Antennae support structures must be constructed using one of the following materials: aluminum, galvanized steel or equally weather-resistant steel or fiberglass or, subject to any applicable standards of the FAA, be painted a neutral color, so as reduce visual obtrusiveness.

B.

Anchor. All ground-mounted antennae support structures exceeding thirty-five (35) feet in height shall be mounted in concrete or erected in such a manner so as to withstand a wind velocity of eighty (80) miles per hour or more and withstand an impact pressure of twenty-five (25) pounds per square foot Noncommercially manufactured antennae support structures shall be constructed to likewise meet these requirements.

C.

Electrical and Structural. All antennae structures and antennae shall be erected, operated and maintained in compliance with the current building and electrical codes that are established by the village and are subject to revisions as they occur. All phases of construction, operation and maintenance are subject inspection by the village building and electrical inspectors or their duly appointed agents. In all cases, the installation shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's installation and grounding requirements.

D.

Height Restriction. The installation of an antenna on any existing structure such as a building, light pole, water tower or other free-standing nonresidential structure that is fifty (50) feet in height or greater may add no more than twenty (20) feet to the height of such structure.

E.

Aesthetics and Lighting. All antennae and the supporting electrical and mechanical must be of neutral color that is identical to, or closely compatible with, the color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and related equipment as visually unobtrusive as possible.

No lights of any size, shade or description shall be mounted or displayed upon any antenna, foundation, or support structure unless specifically required by the FAA or other applicable authority. If lighting is required, the mayor shall review the available lighting alternatives and approve the design that would cause the least disturbance to the surrounding views.

No advertisement shall be permitted on any antenna or support structure.

All towers, antennae and support structures must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, FCC, and any other agency of the federal government with the authority to regulate such. f such standards and regulations are changed, then the owners of the towers and antennae governed by this chapter shall bring such towers and antennae into compliance with the revised standards and regulations within six months of the effective date of the revision(s).

Any antenna that is not operated for a continuous period of six months shall be considered abandoned, and the owner of such antenna shall remove same within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice from the village. If such antenna is not removed by the owner within the prescribed time, the village may remove such antenna at the owner's expense.

Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be found liable for a fine as established in the fine schedule appended to this code as Appendix 2. Each day that the violation continues to exist shall be deemed a separate and punishable offense. In addition, the village may, at its discretion, require the removal of any antenna owned, constructed, installed or operated in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter at the owner's expense.

(Ord. No. 24-09, § 3, 10-24-24)