As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
An antenna of any size, shape or description designed for
receiving communication or other signals from satellites. Said antenna
may have a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and be connected with coaxial
cable to a television or other receiver. A satellite earth station
is also commonly referred to as an "earth station," a "ground station"
or a "satellite dish."
No person, commercial business, firm, partnership, corporation,
trust or other legal entity shall erect or cause to be erected an
earth station without a permit, nor shall any such work commence before
a permit is issued in accordance with this article.
An application for a permit shall be on forms furnished by the
Building Commissioner, and shall be accompanied by a current survey
showing the dimensions of the lot, and the location of all buildings
or structures thereon, and specifications describing the earth station
and its structural and engineering components (the manufacturer's
specifications) shall be attached. All such applications shall be
signed by the property owner and shall be accompanied by a fee of
$75. The exact location, height and other proposed construction of
the satellite earth station shall not be varied without written approval
of the Building Commissioner. The Building Commissioner must notify,
by certified mail, owners of real estate adjoining the property upon
which the proposed earth station is to be erected at least 10 days
before issuing a permit.
No satellite earth station shall be erected:
(A)
In any front yard;
(B)
In any side yard;
(C)
Within five feet of the side lot lines;
(D)
Within five feet of the rear lot line;
(E)
Within five feet of the rear wall of the main structure located on
the lot;
(F)
Within five feet of the side wall of the garage;
(G)
On any roof or attached to any building in a residentially or commercially
zoned district; or
(H)
On a chimney, tower, tree, pole or spire, or any extended structure
above the ground to extend its height.
All satellite earth stations shall meet the following construction
and erection requirements:
(A)
The dish shall not exceed six feet in diameter;
(B)
Galvanized metal supports, or equivalent, must be used;
(C)
A concrete base extending not less than 42 inches below the surface
must be used to anchor the dish to the ground. Foundation drawings
must be approved by the Building Commissioner;
(D)
The maximum height of the highest part of the dish shall not exceed
15 feet above the ground on which it is erected;
(E)
The dish and structure shall be designed to withstand a wind force
of 75 miles per hour without the use of supporting guy wires;
(F)
No linkage, physically or electronically, shall be permitted to a
receiver not located on the same lot;
(G)
Installation must conform to the provisions of the Chicago Electrical
Code, including mandatory use of Underwriters Laboratories approved
cable, except as may be modified by Article 13 of this chapter;
(H)
Wiring to the earth satellite station shall be placed at least four
inches beneath the surface of the ground, and shall be within rigid
conduit;
(I)
That portion of the wiring exposed between its emergence from the
ground to and through its entry into the structure shall be enclosed
in conduit;
(J)
Any driving motor shall be limited to one-hundred-twenty-five-volt
maximum design voltage and shall be encased in protective guards;
the motor must be connected to a grounding rod;
(K)
The pole to which the earth station is mounted must be capped and
connected to a minimum of four grounding rods;
(L)
The earth station must be provided with a ground-fault interrupter;
and
(M)
The earth station must be provided with a separate circuit-breaker.
The provisions of this article may be varied in cases of hardship
or impracticability by the Board of Building Appeals. See Article
7 of this chapter.
