13.16.070 Requirements | Bellingham Municipal Code

13.16.070 Requirements.

Small cell facilities shall be designed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Failure to do so shall be grounds for adverse action, including but not limited to permit denial or revocation.

A. Support Structures. Small cell facilities may be mounted to poles or cables strung between poles, in accordance with the requirements of this section. No other support structures are permitted.

1. All pole-mounted transmission equipment shall be attached to existing poles or replacement poles, unless an exception is granted pursuant to this subsection allowing installation of a new pole (not replacing an existing pole). An exception may be granted allowing a new pole if the applicant submits a new pole justification report demonstrating to the reasonable satisfaction of the director that no pole currently exists within the right-of-way within a 500-foot radius of the proposed new pole that is available for use by the applicant and that would provide substantially equivalent functionality. If an exception is granted, such new pole shall:

a. Resemble existing poles in the right-of-way near that location, with the exception of pole designs that are scheduled to be removed and not replaced; and

b. Be located at least 180 feet from any existing pole, unless the applicant demonstrates to the department’s reasonable satisfaction that (i) the minimum separation requirement cannot be satisfied for technical reasons and (ii) placement of the small cell facility at a distance less than 180 feet from an existing pole will meet the intent of reducing visual clutter to the greatest extent practicable.

2. Replacement poles shall be designed to resemble the appearance and dimensions of existing poles near the proposed location, including materials, style and color, with the exception of pole designs that are scheduled to be removed and not replaced. Replacement poles shall be located as near as practicable to the existing pole, consistent with applicable city standards, and the abandoned pole shall be removed at applicant’s expense.

C. Strand-Mounted Facilities. Small cell facilities mounted on cables strung between existing poles shall conform to the following standards, in addition to all other requirements in this section:

1. Each strand-mounted facility shall not exceed three cubic feet in volume;

2. Pole-mounted equipment for strand-mounted facilities shall meet the requirements for pole-mounted small cells;

3. Only one strand-mounted facility is permitted per cable between any two existing poles;

4. The strand-mounted device shall be placed as close as possible to the nearest pole and in no event more than six feet from the pole unless a greater distance is technically necessary or required by the pole owner for safety clearance;

5. No strand-mounted device shall be located in or above the portion of the roadway open to vehicular traffic;

6. Strand-mounted devices shall be installed to cause the least visual impact, including by utilizing the minimum amount of exterior cabling or wires (other than the original strand) necessary to meet the technological needs of the facility.

D. Height and Volume Limits. Small cell facilities are subject to the following height and volume limits:

a. Existing Poles. A pole extender may be used to attach a small cell facility to an existing pole, but may not increase the height of the existing pole by more than 10 feet, inclusive of the antenna.

b. Replacement Poles. A replacement pole, inclusive of its antenna, shall not exceed the height of the existing pole by more than 10 feet nor shall it exceed a total height of 50 feet, unless the applicant demonstrates in writing that a further height increase is necessary to provide sufficient separation and/or clearance from electrical and/or wireline facilities. In no event may any replacement pole exceed 60 feet in height, inclusive of the antenna.

c. New Poles. New poles shall not exceed 50 feet in height, inclusive of the antenna.

a. Each antenna shall be located inside an antenna enclosure of no more than three cubic feet in volume or, in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, the antenna and all of its exposed elements shall be capable of fitting within an imaginary enclosure of no more than three cubic feet; and

b. Each primary equipment enclosure shall be no larger than 17 cubic feet in volume. The following associated equipment may be located outside the primary equipment enclosures and, if so located, is not included in the calculation of equipment volume: associated conduit, mounting bracket or extension arm, electric meter, concealment, telecomm demarcation box, ground-based enclosures, battery backup power systems, grounding equipment, power transfer switch and cut-off switch. Underground equipment enclosures and equipment located within the interior of the pole are not included in the calculation of equipment volume.

E. Electrical Service. Applicant shall comply with all relevant legal requirements for connecting its equipment to electrical power. The city is not responsible for providing electricity to any permittee. Generators are not permitted for small cell facilities. A battery backup may be permitted.

F. Obstructions. Each component of the small cell facility shall be located so as not to cause any physical or visual obstruction or safety hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic and shall comply with all local, state and federal laws, regulations and orders regarding clear and safe passage within the right-of-way.

G. Noninterference. Small cell facilities shall not interfere with existing use of the right-of-way for transportation, public or private utilities, street trees (except as may be approved in a street tree permit issued under Chapter 13.40 BMC) and landscaping, or public health or safety facilities, including fire hydrants.

H. Structural Strength. Each small cell facility shall be properly designed and engineered to withstand seismic, wind and ice loads.

I. Concealment Requirements. Small cell facilities are subject to the following concealment requirements:

1. The facility shall not exceed the height and volume limits imposed by this chapter.

2. The applicant shall employ screening, camouflaging and/or other stealth techniques to minimize the visual impact of the small facility. The purpose of this requirement is to maximize the extent to which the small cell facility will blend into the surrounding environment and minimize visual clutter.

3. Equipment enclosures shall be underground, incorporated and concealed within street furniture, or incorporated into the base of the pole to the maximum extent feasible. Equipment enclosures shall be no larger than is necessary to enclose the equipment.

4. Pole-mounted equipment shall be flush mounted, except as otherwise required by applicable safety codes, and shall be painted or otherwise colored to match the pole.

5. Cables and wires shall be routed within the interior of the pole to the maximum extent feasible. Where interior installation is infeasible, conduit and cables attached to the exterior of the poles shall be flush mounted, except as otherwise required by applicable safety codes, and shall be painted to match the pole.

6. The small cell facility shall not be illuminated.

J. Public Health Compliance Standard. The small cell facility shall comply with the public health compliance standard defined herein. [Ord. 2018-09-014 § 1].