Town of Rome, WI Article XXVIII Satellite Earth Stations

§ 360-144 Permit required.

No owner shall build, construct, use or place any type of satellite earth station (dish) until a permit shall have first been obtained from the Zoning Administrator.

§ 360-145 Exceptions.

Satellite earth stations that are less than 36 inches diameter or smaller than 600 square inches may be installed without a permit, but all other requirements of this article and the manufacturer's requirements must be followed.

§ 360-146 Application.

Application for a zoning permit shall be accompanied by scale maps or drawings prepared to the best of the applicant's ability, showing legibly and accurately the location, size, and shape of lot(s) involved; and of any proposed and existing structures, including the relation of abutting roads, lakes or streams, the existing and proposed use of each structure and lot, existing and proposed driveways and parking areas, proposed filling and grading, open space, landscaping and arrangement of operation use.

§ 360-147 Installation restrictions.

Satellite earth stations installed in any zoning district within the Town shall comply with the following provisions:

A. Number of units. Not more than one satellite earth station may be allowed per individual recorded lot, except additional stations may be permitted upon application for a variance in nonresidential zones.

B. Placement. The placement of any satellite earth station shall comply with accessory building placement regulations of this chapter, except that the base may be located within one foot of drain fields.

C. Mounting location.

(1) Satellite earth stations located in agricultural or residential districts shall be ground-mounted if over 36 inches in diameter or greater than 600 square inches.

(2) Satellite earth stations located in business or industrial districts have unrestricted mounting locations on all allowed sizes. Satellite earth stations attached to the wall or roof of any principal or accessory structure shall be subject to the structure being constructed to carry all imposed loading. The Zoning Administrator may require engineering calculations.

D. Diameter. The diameter of the satellite earth station shall not exceed 12 feet for the ground-mounted dish and six feet for the roof-mounted dish, except for stations used to provide community antenna television services.

E. Height.

(1) A ground-mounted satellite earth station may not exceed 16 feet in height, as measured from the ground to the highest point of the dish.

(2) A roof-mounted satellite earth station may not exceed eight feet in height above the surrounding roof line as measured from the lowest point of the existing roof line.

F. Wind pressure. All satellite earth stations 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.

G. Electrical installations. Electrical installation connection with earth satellite receiving stations, 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 satellite earth station to the receivers shall be installed underground unless site conditions preclude underground. If a satellite earth station 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 satellite earth stations shall be grounded against direct lightning strikes.

H. Temporary placement. No portable or trailer-mounted satellite earth station 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 give written notice to the Zoning Administrator of the date when such placement shall begin and end.

I. Advertising. No form of advertising or identification, sign or mural is allowed on the dish or framework other than the customary manufacturer's identification plates, not to exceed one square foot.

J. Interference with broadcasting. Satellite earth stations 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 satellite earth station shall promptly take steps to eliminate the harmful interference in accordance with Federal Communications Commission regulations.

K. Compliance with federal regulations. The installation and use of every satellite earth station shall be in conformity with the current Federal Cable Communications Policy and regulations adopted thereunder.