The purpose of this Chapter is to
establish reasonable and uniform standards and procedures for personal
wireless service facilities deployment, construction, installation,
collocation, modification, operation, relocation and removal on all
property other than the public right-of-way within the City's territorial
boundaries, consistent with and to the extent permitted under Federal
and State law. The standards and procedures contained in this Chapter
are intended to, and should be applied to, protect and promote public
health, safety and welfare, and balance the benefits that flow from
robust, advanced wireless services with the City's local values, which
include, without limitation, the aesthetic character of the City,
its various neighborhoods and community.
This Chapter is not intended to,
nor shall it be interpreted or applied to:
A. Prohibit or effectively prohibit any personal
wireless service provider's ability to provide personal wireless services;
B. Prohibit or effectively prohibit any personal
wireless service provider's ability to provide any interstate or intrastate
telecommunications service, subject to any competitively neutral and
nondiscriminatory rules or regulations;
C. Unreasonably discriminate among providers
of functionally equivalent services;
D. Deny any request for authorization to place,
construct or modify personal wireless service facilities based on
environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that
such facilities comply with the Federal Communication Commission's
regulations concerning such emissions;
E. Prohibit any collocation or modification
that the City may not deny under Federal or State law; or
F. Otherwise authorize the City to preempt
any applicable Federal or State law or regulation.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
The abbreviations, phrases, terms and words shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Section
9.32.020 or, as may be appropriate, in Chapter
9.52 (Terms and Definitions), as may be amended from time to time, unless context indicates otherwise. Undefined phrases, terms or words in this Section shall have the meanings assigned to them in 47 U.S.C. Section
702, as may be amended from time to time, and, if not defined therein, shall have their ordinary meanings. If any definition assigned to any phrase, term or word in this Section conflicts with any Federal- or State-mandated definition, the Federal- or State-mandated definition shall control.
"Base station"
has the same definition as provided by the FCC in 47 C.F.R. Section 1.40001(b)(1), as may be amended, which defines that term as a structure or equipment at a fixed location that enables [FCC]-licensed or authorized wireless communications between user equipment and a communications network. The term does not encompass a tower as defined in [47 C.F.R. Section 1.40001(b)(9)] or any equipment associated with a tower. The term includes, but is not limited to, equipment associated with wireless communications services such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul. The term includes, but is not limited to, radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration (including distributed antenna systems and small-cell networks). The term includes any structure other than a tower that, at the time the relevant application is filed with the State or local government under this Section, supports or houses equipment described in subsections
(1) and
(2), codified as 47 C.F.R. Section 1.40001(b)(1)(i) and (ii) that has been reviewed and approved under the applicable zoning or siting process, or under another State or local regulatory review process, even if the structure was not built for the sole or primary purpose of providing such support. The term does not include any structure that, at the time the relevant application is filed with the State or local government under this Section, does not support or house equipment described in subsections
(1) and
(2), codified as 47 C.F.R. Section 1.40001(b)(1)(i) and (ii).
"Collocation"
has the same definition as provided by the FCC in 47 C.F.R.
Section 1.40001(b)(2), as may be amended, which defines that term
as the mounting or installation of transmission equipment on an eligible
support structure for the purpose of transmitting and/or receiving
radio frequency signals for communications purposes. As an illustration
and not a limitation, the FCC's definition effectively means "to add"
and does not necessarily refer to more than one personal wireless
service facility installed at a single site.
"CPCN"
means a "Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity" granted by the CPUC or its duly appointed successor agency pursuant to California
Public Utilities Code Section
1001 et seq., as may be amended.
"CPUC"
means the California Public Utilities Commission established
in the California Constitution, Article XII, Section 5, or its duly
appointed successor agency or agencies.
"FAA"
means the Federal Aviation Administration or its duly appointed
successor agency.
"FCC"
means the Federal Communications Commission or its duly appointed
successor agency.
"OTARD"
means an over-the-air reception device subject to 47 C.F.R.
Section 1.4000 et seq., as may be amended, and which includes, without
limitation, satellite television dishes not greater than one meter
in diameter.
"Personal wireless services"
means the same as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 332(c)(7)(C)(i),
as may be amended, which defines the term as commercial mobile services,
unlicensed wireless services and common carrier wireless exchange
access services.
"Personal wireless service facilities"
means the same as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 332(c)(7)(C)(i),
as may be amended, which defines the term as facilities that provide
personal wireless services.
"Public right-of-way"
means any public street, alley, sidewalk, or parkway that
is owned or granted by easement, operated, or controlled by the City.
"RF"
means radio frequency or electromagnetic waves between 30
kHz and 300 GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum range.
"Section 6409(a)"
means Section 6409(a) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and
Job Creation Act, Pub. L. No. 112-96, 126 Stat. 156 (Feb. 22, 2012),
codified as 47 U.S.C. Section 1455(a), as may be amended or superseded.
"Temporary personal wireless service facilities"
means portable wireless communication facilities intended
or used to provide personal wireless services on a temporary or emergency
basis, such as a large-scale special event in which more users than
usual gather in a confined location or when a disaster disables permanent
personal wireless service facilities. Temporary personal wireless
service facilities include, without limitation, cells-on-wheels ("COWs"),
sites-on-wheels ("SOWs"), cells-on-light-trucks ("COLTs") or other
similarly portable wireless communication facilities not permanently
affixed to the site or land upon which it is located.
"Tower"
has the same definition as provided by the FCC in 47 C.F.R.
Section 1.40001(b)(9), as may be amended, which defines that term
as any structure built for the sole or primary purpose of supporting
any [FCC]-licensed or authorized antennas and their associated facilities,
including structures that are constructed for wireless communications
services including, but not limited to, private, broadcast, and public
safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed
wireless services such as microwave backhaul, and the associated site.
Examples include, but are not limited to, monopoles, mono-trees and
lattice towers.
"Transmission equipment"
has the same definition as provided by the FCC in 47 C.F.R.
Section 1.40001(b)(8), as may be amended, which defines that term
as equipment that facilitates transmission for any [FCC]-licensed
or authorized wireless communication service, including, but not limited
to, radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, and
regular and backup power supply. The term includes equipment associated
with wireless communications services including, but not limited to,
private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed
wireless services and fixed wireless services such as microwave backhaul.
"Wireless"
means any FCC-licensed or authorized wireless communication
service transmitted over frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
A. Applicable Facilities. This Chapter applies to all personal wireless service facilities within the City and all applications and requests for approval to construct, install, modify, collocate, relocate or otherwise deploy personal wireless service facilities in the City, unless exempted pursuant to subsection
(B) of this Section.
B. Exempt Facilities. Notwithstanding subsection
(A) of this Section, the provisions in this Chapter shall not be applicable to the facilities listed in this subsection
(B). The exemption from provisions in this Chapter shall not exempt the same facilities from the provisions and building permit requirements in Article 8 (Building Regulations).
1. Facilities installed in the public right-of-way governed by Chapter
7.70 (Public Right-of-Way Wireless Communication Facilities) of this Code;
2. Amateur radio facilities;
4. Personal wireless service facilities installed
completely indoors and not visible to the public intended to extend
signals for personal wireless services in a personal residence or
a business (such as a femtocell or indoor distributed antenna system);
and
5. Personal wireless service facilities or
equipment owned and operated by CPUC-regulated electric companies
for use in connection with electrical power generation, transmission
and distribution facilities subject to CPUC General Order 131-D.
C. Requests for Approval Pursuant to
Section 6409(a). Any request to collocate, replace or remove
transmission equipment at an existing tower or base station submitted
with a written request for approval under Section 6409(a) shall be
processed administratively pursuant to the standards and procedures
established by the Director, in accordance with Federal law.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18; amended
by Ord. No. 2749CCS § 3, adopted May 23, 2023)
A. Minor Use Permit. A minor use permit, subject to the Planning Director's prior review and approval in accordance with Chapter
9.41 (Minor Use Permits and Conditional Use Permits), is required for all personal wireless services facilities except for those that are exempt under Section
9.32.030(B) or that are governed by Section
9.32.030(C).
B. Other Permits and Regulatory Approvals. In addition to any minor use permit or other permit required under
this Chapter, the applicant must obtain all other required permits
and other regulatory approvals from the City, and State and Federal
agencies. Any minor use permit or other permit granted under this
Chapter shall be subject to the conditions and/or other requirements
in any other required permits or other regulatory approvals.
C. Proprietary Approvals. Nothing
in this Chapter shall be deemed to waive any required proprietary
approvals for siting of personal wireless service facilities on privately
or publicly owned property or improvements.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
A. Application Requirement. The City shall not accept, approve, or deny any personal wireless service facility subject to this Chapter except upon a duly filed application pursuant to Section
9.37.020 and any other written rules the Director may publish in any publicly-stated format.
B. Minimum Application Content. The materials required under this Section are minimum requirements
for any application for any personal wireless service facility:
1. Application Form. The Director
shall prepare and issue application forms and lists that specify the
information that will be required from applicants for projects subject
to the provisions of this Chapter, laws, and applicable court decisions.
2. Application Fee. The City
Council may approve by resolution a Municipal Fee Schedule that establishes
cost-based fees for permits, appeals, amendments, information materials,
penalties, copying, and other such items. These fees may be amended
by the City Council.
C. Procedures for a Duly Filed Application. The City shall accept applications filed in accordance with the
provisions in this Section.
1. Submittal Appointment. All
applications must be filed with the City at a pre-scheduled appointment.
Applicants may generally submit one application per appointment but
may schedule successive appointments for multiple applications whenever
feasible and not prejudicial to other applicants. Any application
received without an appointment, whether delivered in-person or through
any other means, will not be deemed as filed.
2. Appointment Scheduling Procedures. A pre-scheduled appointment may be scheduled by contacting the City
Planning Division. No application shall be tendered to or accepted
by the City during any of the following periods: (i) any time the
City Hall is closed to the public; (ii) any legal holiday observed
by the City; (iii) the week of Thanksgiving; and (iv) 3 business days
prior to July 4, December 25, and January 1.
D. Applications Deemed Withdrawn. To promote efficient review and timely decisions by the City, an
application will be automatically deemed withdrawn without prejudice
by the applicant when the applicant fails to tender a substantive
response to the City within 90 calendar days after the City deems
the application incomplete in a written notice to the applicant. The
Planning Director may, in the Planning Director's discretion, grant
a written extension for up to an additional 30 calendar days when
the applicant delivers to the City a written request prior to the
90th day that shows good cause to grant the extension. Delays due
to circumstances outside the applicant's reasonable control shall
be considered good cause to grant the extension.
E. Departmental Forms, Rules and Other
Regulations. The City Council authorizes the Planning Director
to develop and publish permit application forms, checklists, informational
handouts and other related materials for this Chapter. Without further
authorization from the City Council, the Planning Director may from
time to time update and alter the permit application forms, checklists,
informational handouts and other related materials as the Planning
Director deems necessary or appropriate to respond to regulatory,
technological or other changes related to this Chapter. The City Council
further authorizes the Planning Director to establish other reasonable
rules and regulations, which may include, without limitation, regular
hours for appointments with applicants, as the Planning Director deems
necessary or appropriate to organize, document and manage the application
intake process. All such rules and regulations must be in written
form and publicly stated to provide applicants with prior notice.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
A. Notice.
1. General Notice Required for the Application. Public notice as provided in Chapter
9.41 will be required for any minor use permit. The approval authority shall not act on any application for a personal wireless service facility unless the public notice required by law has occurred.
2. Deemed-Approval Notice Procedures. Not
more than 30 days before the applicable FCC timeframe for review expires,
and in addition to the public notice required in subsection (A)(1),
above, an applicant for a minor use permit must provide a posted notice
at the project site that states the project shall be automatically
deemed approved pursuant to California
Government Code Section 65964.1
unless the City approves or denies the application or the applicant
tolls the timeframe for review within the next 30 days. The posted
notice must be compliant with the provisions in this Chapter. The
public notice required under this subsection (A)(2) shall be deemed
given when the applicant delivers written notice to the Planning Director
that shows the appropriate notice has been posted at the project site.
3. Decision Notices. In accordance with Section
9.37.070(D), within 2 working days after the approval authority approves, conditionally approves or denies an application for a personal wireless service facility or before the FCC timeframe for review expires (whichever occurs first), the approval authority shall send a written determination to the applicant and all other parties entitled to receive notice. For any denial notice, the approval authority shall include the reasons for the denial either in the notice or as a separate written document.
B. Required Findings for Approval. The approval authority shall only approve or conditionally approve
a duly filed application for a minor use permit if the approval authority
determines that the project, as submitted or modified, conforms to
all the following criteria. The inability to make one or more of the
findings is grounds for denial of an application.
1. The proposed use is consistent with the
General Plan and any applicable specific plan;
2. The physical location or placement of the
use on the site is compatible with and relates harmoniously to the
surrounding neighborhood or other built and natural environment;
3. The proposed personal wireless service facility complies with all applicable development standards described in Section
9.32.080;
4. The applicant has demonstrated that its
proposed facility shall be in compliance with all applicable FCC rules
and regulations for human exposure to RF emissions;
5. The applicant has demonstrated a good-faith
effort to identify and evaluate more-preferred locations and potentially
less-intrusive designs; and
6. The applicant has provided the approval
authority with a meaningful comparative analysis that shows all less-intrusive
alternative locations and designs identified in the administrative
record are either technically infeasible or not potentially available.
C. Conditional Approvals. The
approval authority may impose any reasonable conditions on any minor
use permit, related and proportionate to the subject matter in the
application, as the approval authority deems necessary or appropriate
to promote and ensure conformance with the General Plan, any applicable
specific plan and all applicable provisions in the Santa Monica Municipal
Code.
D. Limited Exception for Personal Wireless
Service Facilities. The Planning Director shall not grant any
limited exceptions to the requirements of this Chapter unless all
of the following findings can be made:
1. The proposed facility qualifies as a "personal
wireless service facility" as defined in 47 U.S.C. Section 332(c)(7)(C)(ii),
as may be amended or superseded;
2. The applicant has provided the Planning
Director with a reasonable and clearly defined technical service objective
to be achieved by the proposed facility;
3. The applicant has provided the Planning
Director with a written statement that contains a detailed and fact-specific
explanation as to why the proposed facility cannot be deployed in
compliance with the applicable provisions in this Chapter, the Santa
Monica Municipal Code, the General Plan and/or any specific plan;
4. The applicant has provided the Planning
Director with a meaningful comparative analysis with the factual reasons
why all alternative locations and/or designs identified in the administrative
record (whether suggested by the applicant, the City, public comments
or any other source) are not technically feasible or potentially available
to reasonably achieve the applicant's reasonable and clearly defined
technical service objective to be achieved by the proposed facility;
and
5. The applicant has demonstrated that the
proposed location and design is the least noncompliant configuration
that shall reasonably achieve the applicant's reasonable and clearly
defined technical service objective to be achieved by the proposed
facility, which includes, without limitation, a meaningful comparative
analysis into multiple smaller or less intrusive facilities dispersed
throughout the intended service area.
E. Appeals. Any person or entity may appeal a decision by the Planning Director in accordance with the standards and procedures set forth in Section
9.37.130. Environmental effects from RF emissions that comply with all applicable FCC regulations shall not be grounds for an appeal.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
A. Prohibited Locations. No personal
wireless service facilities shall be located in any residential zone.
B. Exception to Prohibited Locations. Personal wireless service facilities may be located in residential
zones only on parcels without any residential uses as of June 6, 2018.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
A. Generally Applicable Development
Standards. All new personal wireless service facilities and all collocations or modifications to existing personal wireless service facilities not subject to Section 6409(a) must conform to the generally applicable development standards in this subsection
A in order to mitigate impacts on adjacent properties.
1. Concealment. Personal wireless
service facilities must incorporate concealment elements, measures
and techniques that blend the equipment and other improvements into
the natural and/or built environment in a manner consistent and/or
compatible with the uses germane to the underlying zoning district
and existing in the immediate vicinity.
2. Overall Height. Ground-mounted
towers may not exceed the applicable height limit for structures in
the applicable zoning district. Rooftop personal wireless service
facilities may not extend beyond 15 feet above the roofline.
3. Setbacks. Personal wireless
service facilities may not encroach into any applicable setback for
structures in the subject zoning district.
4. Noise. Personal wireless service facilities and all accessory equipment and transmission equipment must comply with all noise regulations, which includes, without limitation, Chapter
4.12 (Noise), and shall not exceed, either individually or cumulatively, the applicable ambient noise limit in the subject zoning district. The approval authority may require the applicant to incorporate appropriate noise-baffling materials and/or strategies whenever necessary to avoid any ambient noise from equipment reasonably likely to exceed the applicable limit.
5. Landscaping. Personal wireless
service facilities must include landscape features when proposed in
a landscaped area. The approval authority may require additional landscape
features to screen the facility from public view, avoid or mitigate
potential adverse impacts on adjacent properties or otherwise enhance
the concealment required under this Chapter. The permittee shall be
responsible for maintenance of and replacement of all landscaping.
6. Security Measures. Personal
wireless service facilities may incorporate reasonable and appropriate
security measures, such as fences, walls and anti-climbing devices,
to prevent unauthorized access, theft and vandalism. Security measures
must be designed to enhance concealment to the maximum extent possible.
The approval authority may require additional concealment elements
as the approval authority finds necessary to blend the security measures
and other improvements into the natural and/or built environment.
The approval authority shall not approve barbed wire, razor ribbon,
electrified fences or any similar security measures that may cause
serious injury or death.
7. Backup Power Sources. The
approval authority may approve permanent backup power sources and/or
generators on a case-by-case basis. The City strongly favors non-
and low-polluting backup power sources such as fuel cells and natural
gas generators, and strongly disfavors backup power sources that pollute
such as diesel and gasoline generators. The approval authority shall
not approve any diesel or gasoline generators or other similarly noisy
or noxious generators in or within 1,000 feet from any residence,
park, or beach; provided, however, the approval authority may approve
sockets or other connections used for temporary backup generators.
8. Lights. Personal wireless
service facilities may not include exterior lights other than: (a)
as may be required under FAA, FCC or other applicable governmental
regulations; and (b) timed or motion-sensitive lights for security
and/or worker safety. All exterior lights permitted or required to
be installed must be installed in locations and within enclosures
that avoids illumination impacts on other properties to the maximum
extent feasible. FAA or FCC required aircraft warning lighting shall
to the maximum extent feasible use lighting shielded from view from
any human-occupied structure within the City.
9. Signage; Advertisements. All
personal wireless service facilities must include signage that continuously
and accurately identifies the equipment owner/operator, the owner/operator's
site name or identification number, as well as a local or toll-free
number to the owner/operator's network operations center. Personal
wireless service facilities must not bear any other signage or advertisements
unless expressly approved by the City, required by law or recommended
by the FCC, CPUC, or other United States or State governmental agencies.
10.
Future Collocations. All personal wireless service facilities must be designed and sited
in a manner that contemplates future collocations and shall facilitate
additional equipment to be integrated into the proposed facility or
associated structures with no or negligible visual changes to its
outward appearance to the greatest extent feasible.
11.
Utilities. All cables
and connectors for telephone, primary electric and other similar utility
services must be routed underground to the extent feasible in conduits
large enough to accommodate future collocated facilities. The approval
authority shall not approve new overhead utility lines or service
drops merely because compliance with the undergrounding requirements
would increase the project cost.
12.
Compliance with Laws. All personal wireless service facilities must be designed and sited
in compliance with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, regulations,
rules, restrictions and conditions, which includes, without limitation,
the
California Building Standards Code, General Plan and any specific
plan, the Santa Monica Municipal Code and any conditions or restrictions
in any permit or other governmental approval issued by any public
agency with jurisdiction over the project.
B. Freestanding Facilities.
1. Uncamouflaged Towers Prohibited. No new monopole or similar uncamouflaged or minimally-camouflaged
tower shall be permitted. All freestanding towers must be designed
to maximally blend in to its surroundings and camouflage the personal
wireless service facilities attached thereto.
2. Tower-Mounted Equipment. All
tower-mounted equipment must be mounted as close to the vertical support
structure as possible to reduce its visual profile. Applicants must
mount non-antenna, tower-mounted equipment (including, but not limited
to, remote radio units/heads, surge suppressors and utility demarcation
boxes) directly behind the antennas to the maximum extent feasible.
All tower-mounted equipment, cables and hardware must be painted with
flat colors and enclosed in camouflage elements subject to the approval
authority's prior approval.
3. Ground-Mounted Equipment and Shelters. All ground-mounted equipment must be concealed within an existing
or new structure, opaque fences or other enclosures. The approval
authority may require additional concealment elements as the approval
authority finds necessary to blend the ground-mounted equipment and
other improvements into the natural and/or built environment.
C. Building-Mounted Facilities.
1. Preferred Concealment Techniques. All applicants should, to the maximum extent feasible, propose new
non-tower facilities that are completely concealed and architecturally
integrated into the existing facade or rooftop features with no visible
impacts from any publicly accessible areas at ground level (examples
include, but are not limited to, antennas behind existing parapet
walls or façades replaced with RF-transparent material and
finished to match the replaced materials). Alternatively, when integration
with existing building features is not feasible, the applicant should
propose completely concealed new structures or appurtenances designed
to be compatible with the support structure's original architecture
and proportions (examples include, but are not limited to, cupolas,
steeples, chimneys and water tanks).
2. Façade-Mounted Equipment. All façade-mounted equipment must be concealed behind screen
walls and mounted as flush to the façade as practicable and
painted to match the facade. The approval authority may not approve
"pop-out" screen boxes or cable trays unless the design is architecturally
consistent with the original building or support structure.
3. Rooftop-Mounted Equipment. All rooftop-mounted equipment must be screened from public view
with concealment measures that match the underlying structure in proportion,
quality, architectural style and finish. The approval authority may
approve unscreened rooftop equipment only when it expressly finds
that such equipment is effectively concealed from public view from
any ground level location and from any other structure due to its
low height and/or setback from the roofline.
4. Associated Ground-Mounted Equipment. Outdoor ground-mounted equipment associated with building-mounted
facilities must be avoided whenever feasible. In publicly visible
or accessible locations, applicants must conceal outdoor ground-mounted
equipment with opaque fences or landscape features that mimic the
adjacent structure(s) such as dumpster corrals and other accessory
structures.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
In addition to all other conditions
adopted by the approval authority, all minor use permits, whether
approved by the approval authority or deemed approved by the operation
of law, shall be automatically subject to the conditions set forth
below:
A. Approved Plans. Before the
permittee submits any applications to the Building and Safety Division,
the permittee must incorporate the permit, all conditions associated
with the permit and the approved photo simulations into the project
plans (the "Approved Plans"). The permittee must construct, install
and operate the facility in strict compliance with the Approved Plans.
Any alterations, modifications or other changes to the Approved Plans,
whether requested by the permittee or required by other departments
or public agencies with jurisdiction over the facility, must be submitted
in a written request subject to the Planning Director's prior review
and approval, who may refer the request to the original approval authority
if the Planning Director finds that the requested alteration, modification
or other change implicates a significant or substantial land-use concern.
B. Build-Out Period. In accordance with Section
9.37.090 Expiration and Extension, the permit shall automatically expire 2 years from the issuance date unless the permittee obtains all other permits and approvals required to install, construct and/or operate the approved facility, which includes, without limitation, any permits or approvals required by the any Federal, State or local public agencies with jurisdiction over the subject property, the facility or its use. The Planning Director may grant one written extension to a date certain when the permittee shows good cause to extend the limitations period in a written request for an extension received by the City prior to the automatic expiration date in this condition.
C. Maintenance Obligations; Vandalism. The permittee shall at all times keep the site, which includes,
without limitation, any and all improvements, equipment, structures,
access routes, fences and landscape features, in a neat, clean and
safe condition in accordance with the Approved Plans and all conditions
in the permit. The permittee shall keep the site area free from all
litter and debris at all times. The permittee, at no cost to the City,
shall remove and remediate any graffiti or other vandalism at the
site within 48 hours after the permittee receives notice or otherwise
becomes aware through its own staff including contractors that such
graffiti or other vandalism occurred.
D. Compliance with Laws. The
permittee shall maintain compliance at all times with all Federal,
State and local statutes, regulations, orders or other rules that
carry the force of law ("Laws") applicable to the permittee, the subject
property, the facility or any use or activities in connection with
the use authorized in the permit. The permittee expressly acknowledges
and agrees that this obligation is intended to be broadly construed
and that no other specific requirements in these conditions are intended
to reduce, relieve or otherwise lessen the permittee's obligations
to maintain compliance with all Laws.
E. Inspections; Emergencies. The
permittee expressly acknowledges and agrees that the City or its designee
may enter onto the site and inspect the improvements and equipment
upon reasonable prior notice to the permittee; provided, however,
that the City or its designee may, but shall not be obligated to,
enter onto the site area without prior notice to support, repair,
disable or remove any improvements or equipment in emergencies or
when such improvements or equipment threatens actual, imminent harm
to property or persons. The permittee shall be permitted to supervise
the City or its designee while such inspection or emergency access
occurs.
F. Contact Information. The permittee
shall furnish the City Planning Division with accurate and up-to-date
contact information for a person responsible for the facility, which
includes, without limitation, such person's full name, title, direct
telephone number, facsimile number, mailing address and email address.
The permittee shall keep such contact information up-to-date at all
times.
G. Indemnification. The permittee and, if applicable, the property owner upon which the facility is installed shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City, its agents, officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all: (1) damages, liabilities, injuries, losses, costs and expenses and from any and all claims, demands, law suits, writs and other actions or proceedings ("Claims") brought against the City or its agents, officers, officials, employees or volunteers to challenge, attack, seek to modify, set aside, void or annul the City's approval of any permit or regulatory approval authorized by City under this Chapter
9.32; and (2) other Claims any kind or form, whether for personal injury, death or property damage, that arise from or in connection with the permittee's or its agents', directors', officers', employees', contractors', subcontractors', licensees', or customers' acts or omissions in connection with the permit or the facility; provided, however, the permittee and, if applicable, the property owner upon which the facility is installed, shall not defend, indemnify, or hold harmless the City, agents, officers, officials, employees and volunteers due to the negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct of the City, agents, officers, officials, employees, and volunteers. In the event the City becomes aware any Claims, the City shall use best efforts to promptly notify the permittee and the private property owner and shall reasonably cooperate in the defense. The permittee expressly acknowledges and agrees that the City shall have the right to approve, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, the legal counsel providing the City's defense, and the property owner and/or permittee (as applicable) shall promptly reimburse City for any costs and expenses directly and necessarily incurred by the City in the course of the defense. The permittee expressly acknowledges and agrees that the permittee's indemnification obligations under this condition are a material consideration that motivates the City to approve the permit, and that such indemnification obligations shall survive the expiration or revocation of the permit.
H. Revocation/Modification of Permit. The original approval authority may revoke or modify the permit at any time based upon noncompliance with the Santa Monica Municipal Code or any approval conditions. In accordance with Section
9.37.120 Revocation/Modification of Permits, the approval authority may revoke the permit or amend these conditions as the approval authority deems necessary or appropriate to correct any such noncompliance.
I. Duty to Retain Records. The
permittee must maintain complete and accurate copies of all permits
and other regulatory approvals (the records) issued in connection
with the personal wireless service facility, which includes, without
limitation, this approval, the approved plans and photo simulations
incorporated into this approval, all conditions associated with this
approval and any ministerial permits or approvals issued in connection
with this approval. In the event that the permittee does not maintain
such records as required in this condition or fails to produce true
and complete copies of such records within a reasonable time after
a written request from the City, any ambiguities or uncertainties
that would be resolved through an inspection of the missing records
shall be construed against the permittee.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
A. Temporary Personal Wireless Service
Facilities—Non-Emergencies. The Planning Director may approve or conditionally approve a temporary use permit for a temporary personal wireless service facility for a period between 4 days and 45 days, inclusive, in accordance with Chapter
9.44 only when the Planning Director finds all the following:
1. The proposed temporary personal wireless
service facility shall not exceed 50 feet in overall height above
ground level;
2. The proposed temporary personal wireless
service facility complies with all setback requirements applicable
to the proposed location;
3. The proposed temporary personal wireless
service facility shall not involve any excavation or ground disturbance;
4. The proposed temporary personal wireless
service facility shall be compliant with all generally applicable
public health and safety laws and regulations, which includes, without
limitation, maximum permissible exposure limits for human exposure
to RF emissions established by the FCC;
5. The proposed temporary personal wireless
service facility shall not create any nuisance or violate any noise
limits applicable to the proposed location;
6. The proposed temporary personal wireless
service facility shall be identified with a sign that clearly identifies
the site operator and contains a working telephone number to a live
person who can exert power-down control over the antennas;
7. The proposed wireless temporary personal
wireless service facility shall be removed within 5 days after the
expiration of the temporary use permit;
8. The applicant has not received any other
temporary use permit for substantially the same location within the
previous 90 calendar days; and
9. The applicant has not sought approval for
any permanent personal wireless service facility in substantially
the same location within the previous 365 days.
B. Temporary Personal Wireless Service
Facilities—Emergencies.
1. Temporary personal wireless service facilities
may be placed and operated within the City for more than 3 days without
a temporary use permit only when a duly-authorized Federal, State,
county or City official declares an emergency within the City, or
a region that includes the City in whole or in part at the location
of the temporary personal wireless service facility.
2. By placing the temporary personal wireless service facility pursuant to this subsection
B, the entity or person placing the temporary personal wireless service facility agrees to and shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City, its agents, officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all damages, liabilities, injuries, losses, costs and expenses and from any and all claims, demands, law suits, writs and other actions or proceedings ("Claims") brought against the City or its agents, officers, officials, employees or volunteers for any and all Claims of any nature related to the installation, use, non-use, occupancy, removal, and disposal of the temporary personal wireless service facility; provided, however, the permittee and, if applicable, the property owner upon which the facility is installed, shall not defend, indemnify, or hold harmless the City, agents, officers, officials, employees and volunteers due to the negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct of the City, agents, officers, officials, employees, and volunteers.
3. The temporary personal wireless service
facility shall prominently display upon it a legible notice identifying
the entity responsible for the placement and operation of the temporary
personal wireless service facility.
4. Any temporary personal wireless service facilities placed pursuant to this subsection
B must be removed within: (a) 5 days after the date the emergency is lifted; or (b) upon 3 days' written notice from the Planning Director or City Manager; or (c) within one hour if required for public safety reasons by City police or fire officials (whichever occurs first). In the event that the temporary facility is not removed as required in this subsection
B, the City may at its sole election remove and store or remove and dispose of the temporary facility at the sole cost and risk of the person or entity placing the temporary facility.
C. The Planning Director's decision pursuant to subsection
A, above, shall be final and not subject to further administrative appeal.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)
An applicant or permittee shall not
be relieved of its obligation to comply with every applicable provision
in the Santa Monica Municipal Code, any permit, any permit condition
or any applicable law or regulation by reason of any failure by the
City to timely notice, prompt or enforce compliance by the applicant
or permittee.
(Added by Ord. No. 2583CCS § 2, adopted 8/28/18)