§ 52-809. Signal receiving antennas.

(a)

Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Owner means the holder of record of an estate in possession in fee simple, or for life, in land or real property, or a vendee of record under a land contract for the sale of an estate in possession in fee simple or for life but does not include the vendor under a land contract. A tenant in common or joint tenant shall be considered such owner to the extent of his interest. The personal representative of at least one owner shall be considered an owner.

Signal receiving antenna means any apparatus capable of receiving communications from a transmitter or a transmitter relay located in a planetary orbit. The term "signal receiving antenna" includes all types of signal receiving antennas, including, without limitation, parabolic antennas, home earth stations, satellite television disks, UHF and VHF television antennas, and AM, FM, ham and shortwave radio antennas, regardless of the method of mounting.

(b)

Application. Application for a signal receiving antenna permit shall be made in writing to the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator. With such application, there shall be submitted a fee of $10.00 and a sufficient set of mounting plans and specifications, including a general plot plan showing the location of the proposed signal receiving antenna with respect to streets, lot lines and buildings. If such application meets all requirements of this section, the application shall be approved.

(c)

Purpose. This section regulating the placement of signal receiving antennas is adopted to:

(1)

Uniform regulations. Provide uniform regulation of all signal receiving antenna devices;

(2)

Placement. Secure placement of such antennas in an aesthetically sensitive manner while allowing users reasonable reception of signals;

(3)

Protect public. Protect the public from injury from antennas that are inadequately mounted, unduly susceptible to wind pressure, improperly installed and wired, or are placed on structures insufficiently designed or constructed to safely support the antenna; and

(4)

Preserved access. Provide for placement of such antennas in locations that preserve access to rear property areas by firefighting apparatus and emergency personnel.

(d)

Permit required. No owner shall, within the City, build, construct, use or place any type of signal receiving antenna until a permit shall have first been obtained from the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator.

(e)

Installation standards. Signal receiving antennas installed in any zoning district within the City shall comply with the following provisions:

(1)

Setbacks.

a.

Any signal receiving antenna and its mounting post shall be located a minimum of ten feet from any property line.

b.

Subject to the provisions herein, signal receiving antennas shall only be located in the rear yard of any lot. If reasonable reception of signals is not possible with a rear yard placement due to the physical characteristics of the lot and area, the signal receiving antenna shall be placed in the side yard of the lot. In the event that reasonable reception of signals is not possible by locating the signal receiving antenna on the rear or side yard of the property, such antenna may be placed in the front yard or on the roof of structures on the property. For corner lots, a side yard is only a yard that does not face a street.

c.

If side yard, front yard or roof mounting is requested, the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator shall determine where reasonable reception is possible, based on evidence provided by the person seeking to erect or construct the antenna.

(2)

Mounting. Signal receiving antennas attached to the wall or roof of any principal or accessory structure shall be permitted only if the structure is properly constructed to carry all imposed loading and complies with applicable State and local building Code requirements. The Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator may require engineering calculations.

(3)

Diameter. The diameter of the signal receiving antenna shall not exceed 15 feet in diameter, except for systems used to provide community antenna television services.

(4)

Height.

a.

A groundmounted signal receiving antenna, including any platform or structure upon which said antenna is mounted or affixed, may not exceed 18 feet in height, as measured from the ground to the highest point of the dish.

b.

A roofmounted antenna may not exceed 15 feet in height above the surrounding roof line as measured from the lowest point of the existing roof line.

(5)

Wind pressure. All signal receiving antennas shall be permanently mounted in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications for installation. All such installations shall meet a minimum wind load design velocity of 80 mph.

(6)

Electrical installations. Electrical installations in connection with signal receiving antennas, including grounding of the system, shall be in accordance with the National Electrical Safety Code, State Electrical Code and the instructions of the manufacturer. In cases of conflict, the stricter requirements shall govern. All cable used to conduct current or signals from the signal receiving antenna to the receivers shall be installed underground unless installation site conditions preclude underground. If a signal receiving antenna is to be used by two or more residential property owners, all interconnecting electrical connections, cables and conduits must also be buried. The location of all such underground lines, cables and conduits shall be shown on the application for a permit. All signal receiving antennas shall be grounded against direct lightning strikes.

(7)

Temporary placement. No portable or trailer-mounted signal receiving antenna shall be allowed, except for temporary installation for on-site testing and demonstration purposes for periods not exceeding five days. However, such trial placement shall be in accordance with all provisions of this section. Failure to comply shall result in a citation being issued for violation of this section. Any person making such temporary placement shall first give written notice to the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator of the date when such placement shall begin and end.

(8)

Advertising. No form of advertising or identification, sign or mural is allowed on the signal receiving antenna other than the customary manufacturer's identification plates.

(9)

Interference with broadcasting. Signal receiving antennas shall be filtered and/or shielded so as to prevent the emission or reflection of an electromagnetic radiation that would cause any harmful interference with the radio and/or television broadcasting or reception on adjacent properties. In the event that harmful interference is caused subsequent to its installation, the owner of the signal receiving antenna shall promptly take steps to eliminate the harmful interference in accordance with Federal Communications Commission regulations.

(10)

Compliance with Federal regulations. The installation and use of every signal receiving antenna shall be in conformity with the Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 and regulations adopted thereunder.

(11)

Aesthetic considerations. Signal receiving antennas shall be located and designed to reasonably reduce visual impact from surrounding properties at street level.

(f)

Enforcement.

(1)

Violation of provisions. It shall be unlawful to construct, use, build or locate any signal receiving antenna in violation of any provisions of this section. In the event of any violation, the Common Council or any property owner who would be specifically damaged by such violation may institute appropriate action or proceedings to enjoin a violation of this section.

(2)

Penalty. Any person who fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be subject to the general penalty in Section 1-17.

(Code 1991, § 13-1-130)