(a) 
Satellite Antennas. Most homes in Burlingame are either built on flat lots or on hillsides. The flat lots are typically of relatively small size with substantial lot coverage. Hillside developments are visible from a wide area. Placement of satellite antennas can interfere with views of streetscape, natural vegetation and scenery in both flat and hillside areas. Therefore, in order to maintain the aesthetic objective of minimal intrusion into views of neighborhood streetscape, existing landscaping, long distance views and other natural effects, it is necessary that satellite antennas in residential zones be placed in the least obtrusive location upon residential properties while still allowing access to satellite signals. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish criteria for the location of satellite antennas consistent with federal standards, as amended in March 1996.
(b) 
Ham and CB Antennas. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish criteria for the location, height and bulk of ham radio and CB antennas that will reasonably accommodate amateur radio activities and create the minimum interference with those activities consonant with promoting local safety and aesthetic interests.
(c) 
Other Antennas. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish locational restrictions that will mitigate the visual impact of other types of antennas.
(Ord. 1327 § 1, (1986); Ord. 1513 § 1, (1994); Ord. 1549 § 1, (1996))
"Antenna"
means any combination of wood, metal, wire or other substance, which either alone or in combination with any supports, is erected or constructed for the purpose of receiving or transmitting radio, television or any other electronic or other type of signal.
"Ham" or "CB antenna"
is a radio receiving and transmitting antenna for amateur radio and citizens band operation.
"Satellite antenna"
is an antenna capable of receiving communications from a transmitter or a transmitter relay located in planetary orbit. Satellite antennas are sometimes referred to as "satellite earth station antennas," and "satellite dish antennas."
(Ord. 1327 § 1, (1986); Ord. 1513 § 1, (1994); Ord. 1519 § 1, (1995); Ord. 1549 § 1, (1996))
Satellite antennas shall be installed in compliance with the following standards:
(a) 
Any satellite antenna that is 40 inches or less in diameter may be installed without restriction in any zone.
(b) 
Any satellite antenna that is larger than 40 inches but less than seven feet in diameter may be installed in any residential zone in compliance with the following standards:
(1) 
No part of the antenna shall exceed seven feet in height from the ground level directly beneath it;
(2) 
The antenna shall be installed in the rear yard and not within the side setbacks, extended to the rear property line;
(3) 
The antenna shall be made of non-reflective material or painted with a non-reflective paint;
(4) 
The antenna shall be screened by walls, fences, vegetation or other materials from view of the first floor of buildings on adjacent properties and from any public right-of-way within 100 feet.
(c) 
Any satellite antenna that is seven feet or less in diameter may be installed in any nonresidential zone. Any satellite antenna located in the C-1 zone must be screened by walls, fences, vegetation or other materials from view of the first floor of buildings on adjacent properties and from any public right-of-way within 100 feet.
(d) 
Any satellite antenna that does not comply with the size and locational restrictions of this section shall not be installed without obtaining an antenna exception as provided in section 18.18.040.
(Ord. 1549 § 1, (1996); Ord. 1552 § 10, (1996))
Any antenna, other than a satellite dish antenna, shall comply with the following standards in any zone:
(a) 
If the antenna is mounted on the ground:
(1) 
No part of the antenna shall be more than 25 feet in height from the ground level directly beneath it; and
(2) 
The antenna shall be installed in the rear yard and no portion of the antenna shall be located within or extend into the side setbacks, extended to the rear property line; or
(b) 
If the antenna is mounted on the roof:
(1) 
No part of the antenna shall be more than 10 feet above the closest portions of the roof on which it is mounted or exceed eight feet (8′) in length; and
(2) 
No part of the antenna shall be located or extend within three feet of any roof edge.
(c) 
Any antenna that does not comply with these standards shall obtain an antenna exception, as provided in Section 18.18.040.
(Ord. 1327 § 1, (1986); Ord. 1513 § 1, (1994); Ord. 1549 § 1, (1996))
(a) 
Any person may apply for an exception from the antenna ordinance by applying for an antenna exception in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(b) 
Application for an antenna exception shall be made upon forms provided by the director of community development and shall include the following information:
(1) 
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
(2) 
Address and zoning district of the property on which the antenna is to be attached or erected;
(3) 
Description of the proposed antenna, including location, height and width or diameter, and general description of the proposed installation;
(4) 
Description of any existing antenna, including location, height and width or diameter;
(5) 
Site plan which shall include the dimensions of the property, setbacks, and location of the proposed antenna and all structures, including any existing antennas.
(c) 
When the application requests an exception for a satellite antenna, the applicant shall provide the following additional information, in addition to the information required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section:
(1) 
The applicable circumstances and conditions existing on the property which materially limit transmission or reception if the antenna is placed according to the standards in section 18.18.025(b);
(2) 
Locations on the property where the antenna can be located so that satellite signals can reasonably be received, including both placement and height. The director of community development, planning commission or city council shall have discretion to require the applicant to submit a site study, prepared at the applicant's cost, identifying the locations where an antenna can be installed without materially limiting transmission.
(3) 
The cost of purchase and cost of proposed installation of the proposed antenna;
(4) 
The cost of trimming trees or removing other obstacles to reception at locations that meet the standards set forth in Section 18.18.025(b);
(5) 
Ways in which vegetation could be planted or trimmed to both provide screening and maintain a line of sight to satellites.
(d) 
When the applicant requests an exception for a ham or CB antenna, the applicant shall provide the following additional information, in addition to the information required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section:
(1) 
The location and design of an antenna that will reasonably accommodate the amateur's right to engage in ham radio transmissions while having the least visual intrusion on the surrounding properties;
(2) 
The nature and extent of amateur communications in which the applicant engages, including time, duration, places contacted and so forth;
(3) 
The director of community development, planning commission, or city council shall have discretion to require the applicant to submit a site reception study, prepared at the applicant's cost, to identify the locations and design of the antenna that will have the least visual impact on surrounding properties, maximize public safety, and reasonably accommodate the applicant's right to engage in amateur communications.
(e) 
When the applicant requests an exception for an antenna, other than a satellite, ham or CB antenna, the applicant shall provide, in addition to the information required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, any other information relating to antenna configuration, network design and site selection which affects the aesthetic impact of the antenna.
(f) 
The director of community development shall charge a fee for an antenna exception which shall be established by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 1513 § 1, (1994); Ord. 1549 § 1, (1996); Ord. 1806 § 9, (2007))
(a) 
An application for an antenna exception shall be processed pursuant to the procedures for granting a conditional use permit in Chapter 25.16 of this code.
(b) 
In granting or denying an antenna exception for a satellite antenna, the Planning Commission shall consider the following:
(1) 
Locations where the satellite dish antenna can be installed without materially limiting reception;
(2) 
Whether installing the satellite dish in such locations imposes costs of screening or pruning vegetation or other costs that exceed the price of purchasing and installing the antenna;
(3) 
The maximum extent to which the antenna can comply with the standards in Section 18.18.025(b) for size, location and screening while achieving reasonable reception of preferred programming.
(c) 
In granting or denying an antenna exception for a ham, CB or other antenna, the planning commission shall consider the following:
(1) 
The maximum extent to which the antenna can comply with the standards in Section 18.18.030(a) and (b) for size, location and screening while reasonably transmitting and receiving radio and television signals;
(2) 
Whether or not the antenna may be reasonably accommodated based on considerations of public health, safety, welfare and aesthetics.
(d) 
If the information in the record before the commission demonstrates that the antenna can be redesigned or relocated to reduce potential safety or visual impacts, the commission may impose conditions requiring the redesign or designating the relocation of the antenna. As an alternative, the commission may direct the applicant to redesign the antenna or designate a different location that will be less visually intrusive and resubmit the revised proposal for further consideration.
(Ord. 1513 § 1, (1994); Ord. 1549 § 1, (1996); Ord. 1603 § 13, (1998))
Where the total weight of an antenna exceeds 500 pounds or where the total height of the pole and antenna exceeds 25 feet measured from the adjacent grade or, when built upon a building, where the total height of the roof mount and the antenna, exceeds 15 feet above the surface of the roof, the building official shall require that a plan and engineering calculations for wind load, bracing and foundation be prepared by a licensed civil or structural engineer. Such plans and specifications shall be prepared to meet or exceed the applicable requirements for such construction as set forth in Chapter 18.08 of this code as adopted or as it may be subsequently amended.
(Ord. 1513 § 1, (1994); Ord. 1549 § 1, (1996))
Antennas existing prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter and constructed or installed in accordance with codes that were applicable at the time of construction or installation may remain in place. Any such antennas that would not be allowed under this ordinance shall be deemed non conforming. Any antenna that was constructed or installed in violation of any prior ordinance shall either be removed or an application for an antenna exception shall be filed within 30 days after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
(Ord. 1513 § 1, (1994); Ord. 1549 § 1, (1996))