The City of Carlsbad gathered public input from Oct. 22 to Nov. 22, 2021 on updates to operation guidelines for wireless communication infrastructure, such as antennas, that are mounted at various heights on buildings, structures and poles throughout the city to connect mobile phone and wireless network services.

To comply with recent changes to state and federal laws related to cellular technology, the City of Carlsbad updated its City Council policy that provides guidelines on the placement, construction and aesthetics for wireless communication infrastructure. Federal law significantly limits the ability of municipal governments to regulate the installation of such infrastructure.

City Council approves policy updates

The City Council approved updates to City Council Policy 64 that includes guidelines for wireless communication facilities on Dec. 14, 2021.

Watch the City Council presentation and discussion

All public input gathered during the review period from Oct. 22 to Nov. 22, 2021 was provided to the City Council.

More information is included in the staff report.

Changes

The community provided input that helped shape the guidelines. Some of the updates include:

• An added goal of protecting health, safety and welfare of the public to extent allowed by applicable laws.
• Allowing small wireless facilities infrastructure in the public right-of-way on roads consistent with federal laws.
• A preference that all wireless infrastructure be installed on existing support poles instead of new support poles in public right-of-way on roads.
• Wireless communication facilities installed on existing support poles in the right-of-way should not exceed the height of the support pole by more than 5 feet.
• Replacement poles in areas with decorative streetlights shall be similar in color, style and design to the existing streetlights to preserve community character.
• A requirement that wireless providers submit annual reports on all facilities, which could show radio frequency emissions are within FCC standards.
• The city will pursue hiring outside experts to review application materials, including radio frequency reports to verify accuracy and compliance with local and FCC requirements.
• Added public noticing requirements on applicants for installations of small wireless facilities.
• Adopt additional insurance and security requirements for applicants who aren’t subject to a master license agreement.

Next steps

The updated policy will take effect immediately. City staff are finalizing the updates to the policy document, which will be made available on this webpage in the near future.

Background

The City of Carlsbad held a public workshop with the City Council on June 23, 2021, where a presentation was given on 5G cellular technology and wireless communication facilities and public comment was received. State and federal legislation changes related to wireless communication facilities were still pending at that time, so city staff committed to present proposed updates to the City Council Policy No. 64 in late 2021 for the public’s and City Council’s consideration.

Watch the recording of the June 23, 2021 public workshop
Presentation provided to City Council
June 23, 2021 staff report

 

More information

City Council Policy No. 64
5G mobile technology
FCC ruling infrastructure for 5G deployment
Assembly Bill 2421

 

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Eric Lardy, City Planner
442-339-2712
eric.lardy@carlsbadca.gov