Set regulations addressing the preferred placement, visual mitigation, and installation of low powered communication towers.

To balance the increasing need for telecommunications technology with the interests of the property owner while protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the city's residents.

General. Telecommunications towers are a conditional use in all zones except residentially zoned areas.

Telecommunications towers are prohibited in residentially zoned areas except as may be permitted with a conditional use permit upon or within any institutional use, regardless of the zoning designation. These institutional uses include, but are not limited to: churches, well sites, water tanks, city parks, city buildings (fire, police, City Hall), public schools, and quasi-public schools.

Approval and Building Permit. Each tower placement shall be reviewed and approved by the planning commission. Each tower location will require a building permit. Co-location of any additional antenna on a preexisting tower requires a building permit through administrative approval by the planning department.

Criteria for Approval of Conditional Use. In conducting its review and/or making its determination to allow a low power radio telecommunications antenna facility as a conditional use, the planning commission shall, in addition to any other matters it may choose to consider, consider the following:

Applicability of Building and Safety Regulations. All antenna locations shall provide assurance that the installation complies with all applicable standards and regulations, including, but not limited to, International Building Code, National Electrical Code, Federal Communications Commission, Federal Aviation Administration, and Environmental Protection Agency as well as all other city ordinances. Each application for a permit to build a telecommunications tower shall be certified by a licensed professional engineer that the design meets all standards herein. No communication facility shall encroach upon or block vehicular or pedestrian access at any time. Climbing pegs or access ladders shall be removed from the lower 20 feet regardless of location. Antennas shall be mounted with such standards that the structure can easily withstand wind force up to 80 miles per hour.

Site Plan. Unless stated otherwise herein, all the types of antennas listed herein as permitted must make an application to the planning department for site plan approval. All applications shall adhere to the requirements for site plan approval in addition to requirements as detailed herein. The site plan shall be accompanied by a photographic example of an existing facility, the dimensions, elevation and site plan of the tower and associated electronic cabinetry and, if applicable, a prepared co-location contract in the event the facility may be shared for future antenna placement.

Accessory Buildings. Accessory buildings must comply with required setback, height, and landscaping standards as required in the zoning district in which the tower is located.

Grounded. All antennas and support structures shall be grounded in accordance with the National Electrical Code.

Architectural Screening. Architectural screening may include the use of artificial trees or other natural features, clock towers, water tanks, flag poles, and other screening as approved by the city. Architectural screening may be required for freestanding towers or antennas, or where incorporated into existing buildings or structures.

Maintenance. Every antenna, pole, or support structure, and all ancillary facilities, comprising low power radio telecommunications facilities, shall at all times be maintained in good structural and aesthetic condition. The owner of any property on which any such antenna, pole, support structure, or ancillary facility or facilities are located, and those responsible for or receiving benefit from its placement, shall keep the area clean and free from rubbish, flammable waste material or any other noxious or offensive substance.

Abandonment Agreement. Upon application for a telecommunications facility, the owner or agent of the tower must supply Riverton City with a letter stating that if the tower is vacated for any reason, the owner or agent will remove the tower, all apparatus associated with it, and the top three feet of the footing and restore the site to its original condition within 60 days of vacation of the tower.

Abandonment and Nonmaintenance. Any antenna structure, antenna support, and accessory structures abandoned or not properly maintained shall be required to be removed at the expense of the persons having control or receiving benefits within 60 days after receiving notice of nonmaintenance.

Height. Where there is only one antenna structure proposed, the maximum height will be 80 feet. If a tower is designed to allow co-location of additional antennas on one monopole, the monopole cannot exceed 100 feet in height. Antenna equipment on a monopole shall not exceed 10 feet in height.

Quantity and Co-location. Only one tower shall be permitted in a one-mile radius unless the existing tower already has at least one co-locator or it can be demonstrated that co-location on an existing tower is not practical or feasible. Provisions for co-location shall include the structural capability to hold additional co-locator antennas and adequate land area for subsequent electronic equipment cabinetry. Towers should not reach maximum allowable height until such co-locator(s) have secured an agreement with the original tower applicant.

Electronic Cabinetry. The electronic cabinetry and subject enclosure shall not exceed 25 feet by 25 feet by 10 feet tall.

Screening. Monopoles and electronic cabinetry shall be located to obtain the highest amount of visual screening, such as behind built structures, and screened with mature trees and shrubbery. Each application shall submit a screening plan.

Each co-locator shall place electronic cabinetry with one shared wall to the original electronic cabinetry enclosure for efficient space utilization. Where the location is limited, as in a commercial district, the first locator will be required to build housing that can adequately contain all co-locators' electronic cabinetry. Where the location is residential in character or the site is not conducive to landscaping, the electronic cabinetry shall be encased in a structure emulating a small residential building, with gabled roof and durable exterior materials.

Lighting. No portion of the antenna or appurtenant structures shall be lighted except for warning lights at the top of the structure when warranted.

Location. Wall-mounted antennas shall only be mounted on buildings of three stories or more, having a penthouse or a mechanical room.

Dimensions. Wall-mounted antennas shall not locate more than four feet from the exterior wall on which they are mounted. The width of the antenna structure shall be a maximum of 13 feet wide and not taller than eight feet. Wall-mounted antennas shall not extend more than three feet above any roofline nor shall antennas be located closer than 30 feet to the base of the building.

Area. The total area for wall-mounted antennas and support structures shall not exceed 100 square feet per wall or 40 square feet for each antenna. This shall be calculated as the areas of all antennas and support structures.

Quantity. A maximum of three antenna structures shall be permitted to locate on any wall.

Screening and Design Guidelines. Antennas shall be painted to match color, pattern and/or materials where they are mounted. Accessory buildings or cabinetry shall also receive screening treatment to blend into the building's architectural integrity.

Location. Roof-mounted antennas shall only be mounted on buildings of three stories or more, having flat roofs, a penthouse or a mechanical room. Not more than three antennas shall be located on any one rooftop.

Height. The maximum height for antennas positioned on rooftops shall not exceed 10 feet above the roofline to top of antenna. However, when an antenna is attached to a mechanical room or penthouse or located 15 feet from exterior wall, the antenna may not exceed 15 feet above the roofline. Roof-mounted antennas shall be mounted a minimum of five feet back from the exterior wall.

Area. The total area for roof-mounted antennas and support structures shall not exceed 200 square feet for all antenna structures on a roof or 40 square feet for each antenna.

Quantity. A maximum of three antenna structures shall be permitted on any single building.

Screening and Design Guidelines. Antennas shall be painted to match color, pattern and/or materials on which they are mounted. Accessory buildings or cabinetry shall also receive screening treatment to blend into the building's architectural integrity.

Microwave or Satellite Dish. Microwave dishes are large disks used to receive information via satellite. These are used for telecommunications where there are no ground lines available in the vicinity. Commercial microwave dishes are not permitted in city limits. Satellite dishes that are not used for telecommunications use and are under three feet in diameter are exempt from the provisions of this title.

Amateur "Ham" Radios Towers. Amateur radios are licensed and protected by the Federal Communication Act as part of the Emergency Broadcast System. Antennas greater than 12 feet tall with antenna and support structure exceeding 10 square feet in surface area must apply for a building permit after receiving community development approval.

Lattice Towers. A lattice tower is an open steel frame structure with multiple sides used to support telecommunications equipment. Lattice towers are not permitted in the city limits.

Whip Antenna. Whip antennas are built with a flexible material that allows the antenna to bend freely. Whip antennas are not permitted in the city limits.