Seminole City Zoning Code

   A radio, television or microwave communication tower, either commercial or amateur, as defined herein, is allowed within the city limits pursuant to the conditions and site restrictions set out in this subchapter.

(Prior Code, § 12-2F-1)

   For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   GUY TOWER. A steel lattice supported by guywires, so designed to support the tower which holds one or more antennas and related equipment for wireless communications.

   LATTICE TOWER. A steel lattice, self-supporting structure with no guy support, so designed to support fixtures which hold one or more antennas and related equipment for wireless communication transmission.

   MONOPOLE. A self-supporting pole type structure with no guywire support, tapering from base to top and so designed to support fixtures which hold one or more antennas and related equipment for wireless communication transmission.

(Prior Code, § 12-2F-2)

   (A)   Towers will be allowed in R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts with the approval of a conditional use permit.

   (B)   Towers will be allowed in the C-1, C-2 and C-3 Districts with the approval of a conditional use permit.

   (C)   Towers will be allowed within the I-1, I-2 and I-3 Zoning Districts as a permitted use.

(Prior Code, § 12-2F-3)

   (A)   Application for permit; approval.

      (1)   All applicants for placement of towers must apply by application to the city for said permit.

      (2)   As part of the submittal application for a permit, the approval by FAA and FCC on said tower shall be submitted as a part of a permit application.

   (B)   Permit fee. The permit fee for each tower will be $1 per foot in height with a minimum fee of $100. The permit fee for the building will be based upon $0.07 a square foot.

(Prior Code, § 12-2F-4) (Ord. 1075, passed 3-11-2008)

   (A)   Height. Maximum height of all towers shall not exceed 199 feet.

   (B)   Setback. All monopole towers shall maintain a setback 120% of the tower height from the property line. All sectional towers shall maintain a setback of 80% of the tower height from the property line.

   (C)   Equipment buildings. Any unmanned equipment building shall not contain more than 750 square feet of gross floor area and shall not be more than 12 feet in height.

   (D)   Dish size. Satellite and microwave dishes attached to a monopole shall not exceed one meter in diameter or two meters in diameter if attached to a lattice tower.

   (E)   Fencing. A chain link fence not less than seven feet in height from finished grade shall be installed around a transmission tower or monopole and equipment building with access through a locked gate.

   (F)   Equipment storage. No equipment or parts shall be stored outside the building.

   (G)   Lights on towers. Lights for illumination shall be determined by the FAA and the city on all tower locations.

   (H)   Advertising or signs. No commercial advertising or signage shall be allowed on any tower.

   (I)   Construction and structural load standards. All towers shall meet the minimum construction and structural load standards specified in the city’s adopted International Building Code, with the exception that basic design wind speed shall be 90 mph without ice, and designed with ice shall be for one-half inch of radial ice.

   (J)   Distance from occupied structure. All towers must set back its height distance from any structure that is being occupied.

   (K)   Towers affixed to structures. Monopole and lattice towers are allowed to be affixed to existing city or private structures as long as they meet all other requirements. These towers are not to exceed 20 feet above the roof line or top of the existing structure. In no case shall the height of the tower be located to fall beyond the edge of the roof line.

   (L)   Abandoned towers; removal. Any tower that is not operated for a continuous period of 12 months shall be considered abandoned and the owner of such antenna or tower shall remove same within 90 days of receipt of the notice from the city notifying the owner of such abandonment. If not removed within 90 days, the city may remove said tower at the owner’s expense.

   (M)   Site plan showing parking spaces, access easement. A site plan shall be submitted which shows parking spaces and access easement to the property line/tower site.

   (N)   Collocation on existing towers. The application should look at collocation on an existing tower, and, if not feasible, indicate why it is not feasible.

   (O)   Approval of property owner. Written approval from the property owner as to placement of the tower must be shown.

   (P)   As built plans. After installation of the tower, the owner must submit as built plans to be kept on file.

   (Q)   Certificate of design. The applicant must provide a certificate of design by the design engineer as to compliance with the city code upon completion of the tower.

   (R)   Inspection. As part of the approval process, the owner must submit annually to the Community Services Office an inspection report on each tower as to compliance with FCC and FAA standards.

(Prior Code, § 12-2F-5) (Ord. 1075, passed 3-11-2008; Ord. 942, passed 9-11-2001)

   An appeal to any interpretation of this subchapter must be appealed to the City Board of Adjustment.

(Prior Code, § 12-2F-6)