This article regulating the placement of signal-receiving antennas
is adopted to:
A. Provide uniform regulation of all signal-receiving antenna devices;
B. Secure placement of such antennas in an aesthetically sensitive manner
while allowing users reasonable reception of signals;
C. 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
D. Provide for placement of such antennas in locations that preserve
access to rear property areas by fire-fighting apparatus and emergency
personnel.
No owner shall, within the City of Glenwood City, build, construct,
use or place any type of signal-receiving antenna over three feet
in diameter in a residential area until a permit shall have first
been obtained from the Building Inspector.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
OWNER
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
Any apparatus capable of receiving communications from a
transmitter or a transmitter relay located in a planetary orbit. This
definition 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 short-wave radio antennas, regardless of the method of mounting.
Application for a signal-receiving antenna over three feet in
diameter shall be made in writing to the Building Inspector. With
such application, there shall be submitted a fee set by the Common
Council 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 article, the application
shall be approved and a permit issued.
Signal-receiving antennas installed in any zoning district within
the City shall comply with the following provisions:
A. Setbacks.
(1) Any signal-receiving antenna and its mounting post shall be located
a minimum of 10 feet from any property line.
(2) 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.
(3) If side yard, front yard or roof mounting is requested, the Building
Inspector shall determine where reasonable reception is possible,
based on evidence provided by the person seeking to erect or construct
the antenna.
B. 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 the applicable state and local building code requirements.
The Building Inspector may require engineering calculations.
C. 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.
D. Height.
(1) A ground-mounted 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.
(2) A roof-mounted antenna may not exceed 15 feet in height above the
surrounding roofline as measured from the lowest point of the existing
roofline.
E. 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 miles per hour.
F. 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, Wisconsin
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 installation. 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 grounded against direct lightening strikes.
G. 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 article. Failure to comply shall result in a citation
being issued for violation of this article. Any person making such
temporary placement shall first give written notice to the Building
Inspector of the date when such placement shall begin and end.
H. 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.
I. Interference with broadcasting. Signal-receiving antennas shall be
filtered and/or shielded so as to prevent the emission or reflection
of any 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.
J. 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.
K. Aesthetic considerations. Signal-receiving antennas shall be located
and designed to reasonably reduce visual impact from surrounding properties
at street level.