This Article provides siting standards and review procedures for wireless communications facilities locating within the City of The Dalles and within the urban growth area administered by the City of The Dalles. The siting standards and review procedures are intended to:
A. 
Regulate the placement, appearance, and number of wireless communications facilities.
B. 
Ensure that the citizens of The Dalles have access to a variety of wireless telecommunications systems and providers.
C. 
Reduce the visual impact of certain wireless telecommunications facilities by encouraging co-location.
D. 
Establish a graduated system of review that will expedite facilities placement in preferred locations.
E. 
Implement the applicable provisions of the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.
The following uses and activities shall be exempt from these regulations:
A. 
Existing towers and antennae, and any repair or maintenance of these facilities which does not create a significant change in visual impact.
B. 
Ham radio towers, citizen band transmitters and antennae.
C. 
Microwave dishes.
D. 
Antennae and associated equipment and other apparatus located completely within an existing structure the purpose of which is to enhance or facilitate the communication function of other structures on the site.
E. 
Federal, state, and local government facilities used for emergency communications.
The following table describes the type of wireless communication facility and review procedure by zone. The placement, construction, and/or modification of wireless communication facilities is subject to review and approval as indicated below. The two options for review and approval are AA - administrative action, per Section 10.3.020.040: Administrative Actions or CUP - conditional use permit, per Article 3.050: Conditional Use Permits. NP indicates the type of antenna or support structure is not permitted. Overlay zones are subject to the requirements of the underlying zone.
Antenna or Support Structure
Zone District
RL/RH
RM/CN
CBC/CG/CR/CFO
I/CLI
P/OS
Antenna attached to existing structures (i.e., buildings, water towers, or other support structures)
AA
AA
AA
AA
Monopoles - maximum height of 35 ft.
CUP
AA
AA
CUP
Monopoles - 36 ft. to 70 ft. in height
NP
CUP
AA
CUP
Monopoles - Greater than 70 ft.
NP
CUP
CUP
CUP
A. 
Facilities Greater than 35 Feet in Height. Wireless communication facilities greater than 35 feet in height shall not be permitted within or adjacent to designated historic districts, nor on or adjacent to designated historic structures.
B. 
Facilities Less than 35 Feet in Height. Wireless communication facilities less than or equal to 35 feet in height which are proposed to be placed within or adjacent to designated historic districts, or on or adjacent to designated historic structures shall be processed as follows:
1. 
The application for the facility shall be a conditional use permit application, per Article 3.050: Conditional Use Permits.
2. 
Prior to the Hearings Officer quasi-judicial hearing, the Historic Landmarks Commission shall first hold a public hearing to review the application and make a recommendation, with any conditions, to the Hearings Officer.
3. 
The Historic Landmarks Commission's recommendation shall be included in the Department's staff report and shall become a part of the official record.
(Ord. 26-1424, 1/12/2026)
In addition to the requirements of Article 3.010: Applications, applications for siting wireless communication facilities shall be accompanied by the following as appropriate:
A. 
Existing Structures Analysis. An evaluation of the feasibility of either locating the facility on an existing building or structure, or co-locating the subject facility with other facilities on an existing monopole as an alternative to the requested permit. The existing structures analysis must include:
1. 
The location and ownership of existing telecommunications structures within the cell service area (not to exceed 2 miles).
2. 
Written verification and other documentation revealing the availability of existing sites/facilities/structures and/or cooperation shown by other providers to gain access to existing sites/facilities/structures which will meet the needs of the applicant.
3. 
The tower type and height of potential co-location facilities and/or the height of other potential support structures.
4. 
Where appropriate, the specific reasons why co-location is not feasible.
B. 
Alternatives Sites. Alternative site locations within 250 feet of the proposed site.
C. 
Visual Impacts Analysis. An analysis of the visual impacts of the proposed facility on residential dwellings within 250 feet of the proposed site and an assessment of potential mitigation measures, including relocation.
D. 
Other. Other information determined by the Director to be relevant to the subject application.
The following review criteria shall be used to approve, approve with conditions, or deny applications for wireless communication facilities based on the following criteria. Applications processed as conditional use permits shall also meet all requirements of Article 3.050: Conditional Use Permits:
A. 
Co-location. Co-location on existing wireless communication facilities within the cell service area of the proposed site is not feasible.
B. 
Future Use. If feasible, the wireless facility shall be located and designed to preserve the ability for colocation of at least 1 additional user on all support structures exceeding 35 feet in height.
C. 
Visual Impacts. Based on the visual analysis and mitigating measures, the location and design of the facility shall minimize visual impacts using setbacks, color, camouflaging techniques (stealth), and landscaping as appropriate.
D. 
Adverse Impacts. The design minimizes identified adverse impacts of the proposed use to the extent feasible.
E. 
Site Size. A new facility shall be sited on a parcel of a size and shape that complies with the following criteria:
1. 
Setbacks. The tower foot print shall be set back at least two-thirds the tower height from any property line. This setback may be reduced when the applicant demonstrates all of the following as appropriate:
a. 
The shape or configuration of the parcel prevents compliance with the setback standard, or a reduction in setbacks is necessary to take advantage of screening opportunities (such as tall trees, tree groves, buildings, or other tall elements) not available within the required setback.
b. 
The reduction in setback is the minimum required to best camouflage the facility.
c. 
Adequate clearance between the facility and the property lines can be provided to accommodate landscaping and fencing.
d. 
The reduction in setback will not cause a greater visual impact to adjacent uses.
2. 
Tower Pad. The tower pad shall be sited in a location that permits additional expansion to accommodate future co-located ancillary facilities. The tower shall be located on the pad so as to provide a maximum flexibility for future co-location. This standard shall not apply to antennas attached to existing structures or towers located on roof tops.
3. 
Engineering Analysis. A licensed structural engineer's analysis shall be submitted to demonstrate that the potential impact of tower failure and ice falling from the tower shall be accommodated on site.
F. 
Monopole Spacing. No new monopole shall be allowed within 2,000 feet of an existing pole, except where, in the opinion of the approving authority, a clustering of poles reduces their potential visual impact.
G. 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Requirements. In order to ensure safety in the operation of public-use airports, no structure shall be erected, altered, or allowed to intrude into any airway imaginary surface established under the provisions of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 77. An exception to this requirement may only be granted after approval by the FAA and the Oregon Aeronautics Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation.
H. 
Lighting. None allowed except as required by the FAA.
I. 
Fencing and Security. Monopoles and ancillary facilities shall be enclosed by a 6-foot security fence.
J. 
Landscaping and Screening. Landscaping shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine the amount of screening necessary for the particular site. In every case, landscaping shall be placed outside of any fencing and shall reasonably screen the facility by subject zone district standards.
K. 
Noise. Noise generating equipment shall be sound buffered by means of baffling, barriers, or other suitable means to reduce sound level measured at the property line to 45dBA when adjacent to residential uses and 55dBA in other areas.
(Ord. 23-1400)
Any antenna or wireless facility support structure that is not operated continuously for a period of 12 months shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the wireless communication support structure or antenna, or the owner of the property on which the antenna or support structure is located within 90 days of receipt of notice to remove from the City. If the antenna or support structure is not removed within 90 days, the City may remove the antenna or support structure at the owner's expense.
A condition of approval for all monopoles shall be that the applicant post a financial guarantee in the amount and form approved by the City Attorney to ensure the proper removal of a facility when required by Section 10.6.140.070 of this Article. The owner of multiple facilities may satisfy these requirements by an appropriate single instrument.