In view of the size and weight of parabolic or dish-type antennas, it is hereby declared to be the intent of this Article
XIX to provide for the regulation of parabolic or dish-type antennas in the Borough of Royersford as a proper exercise of the police powers granted to the municipality by state laws to protect the public health, safety and welfare in accordance with the following objectives:
A. To control the size, location and number of antennas in the Borough,
for safety and other reasons.
B. To encourage antennas which are well designed and pleasing in appearance
in order to enhance the economic value as well as the visual character
of the residential and business community.
C. To establish criteria designed to encourage antennas which are compatible
with their surroundings.
The following definition shall control with respect to any antenna-related
question:
PARABOLIC OR DISH-TYPE ANTENNA
Any concave, circular or dish-shaped device designed for
receiving communications or television signals from a satellite.
[Amended 7-8-1997 by Ord.
No. 753]
A. Placement of parabolic or dish-type antennas. All parabolic or dish-type
antennas shall be placed in accordance with the following regulations:
(1)
No parabolic or dish-type antenna shall be installed or constructed
in a front or side yard.
(2)
Every parabolic or dish-type antenna shall be set back from
all property lines of the lot on which it is installed or constructed
a minimum of 10 feet.
(3)
Parabolic or dish-type antennas shall not be mounted on the
exterior front wall of a building.
(4)
Parabolic or dish-type antennas may be roof-mounted, or mounted
on the exterior side or rear walls of a building, only in accordance
with the requirements of this chapter.
B. Size requirements.
(1)
No parabolic or dish-type antenna shall be installed or erected
which has a height in excess of 13 feet.
(2)
No parabolic or dish-type antenna shall be installed or erected
which has a diameter in excess of 10 feet.
(3)
Except in the case of roof mounting, or mounting on an exterior
side or rear wall of a building, all parabolic or dish-type antennas
shall be mounted so that the center of the antenna is no higher above
ground level than 1/2 the diameter of the circle of the antenna.
(4)
In the case of roof mounting, all parabolic or dish-type antennas
shall be no larger than 27 inches in diameter, shall be mounted along
the rear edge of the building, and shall be set back from the edge
of the roof a minimum of 10 feet.
(5)
In the case of mounting on an exterior side or rear wall of
a building, all parabolic or dish-type antennas shall be no larger
than 27 inches in diameter.
C. Screening requirements. Except in the case of roof mounting, or mounting on an exterior side or rear wall of a building, each parabolic or dish-type antenna shall be screened from view by a six-foot-high wood or masonry fence or by natural plants or trees of equal minimum height, so planted as to provide maximum screening; provided, however, that any fence shall comply with the applicable ordinances of the Borough including, but not limited to, §
475-22 of this chapter.
[Amended 10-30-1990 by Ord. No. 715]
A permit shall be required for all parabolic or dish-type antennas.
The issuance of such permit shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. Applications for parabolic or dish-type antenna permits shall be
filed on forms furnished by the Zoning Officer and shall be accompanied
by detailed plans and specifications and any other information deemed
necessary by the Zoning Officer to determine the location and details
of installation of such antenna.
B. No permit to install a parabolic or dish-type antenna shall be issued
until the required fee has been paid to the Zoning Officer, which
fee shall be established from time to time by the Borough Council,
and which may be amended from time to time by resolution by the Borough
Council.
C. It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to inspect any parabolic
or dish-type antenna proposed to be erected in the Borough in order
to determine that such antenna shall be in compliance with the terms
and provisions of this chapter. Upon compliance with the terms and
provisions of this chapter and payment of the permit fee, the Zoning
Officer shall issue a permit to the applicant to erect the proposed
antenna which shall be in accordance with the plans submitted to the
Zoning Officer. After installation, the Zoning Officer shall inspect
the antenna to assure that the installation has been in accordance
with the plans. If any such antenna fails to satisfy the requirements
of this chapter, the owner of the antenna shall be notified by the
Zoning Officer and shall make such changes as are necessary to comply
with the terms and provisions of this chapter. If the condition of
the antenna is not corrected to comply with the terms and provisions
of this chapter within 10 days after such notice, the antenna may
be removed by the Zoning Officer.
Any lawful parabolic or dish-type antenna existing prior to the effective date of this chapter, but which fails to comply with the provisions of this Article
XIX, shall be deemed nonconforming and shall be subject to the provisions of Article
XXII herein.