§ 17.39.020. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words or phrases shall be defined as follows:

"Antenna" means any system of wires, poles, rods, reflecting discs, or similar devices used for the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves.

"Antenna array" means a group of antenna elements on the same geometric plane.

"Antenna, commercial" means an antenna in any zoning district used in conjunction with a business, commercial enterprise, trade, calling, vocation, profession, occupation or means of livelihood, whether or not carried on for gain or profit, including, but not limited to public utilities, personal wireless service communications, or privately owned or publicly supported AM or FM radio stations not otherwise exempt from the provisions of the zoning ordinance, cable television operations or television broadcast stations, but excluding FCC licensed amateur radio stations and standard receive only television and satellite dish antennas.

"Antenna element" means individual components of an individual antenna.

"Antenna height" means the distance from the grade of the property at the base of the antenna or, in the case of a roof-mounted antenna, from the grade at the exterior base of the building to the highest point of the antenna and its associated support structure when fully extended.

"Antenna, microwave relay parabolic" means a transmitting and receiving antenna, typically parabolic, disc, or double convex shaped with an active element external to the disc, that communicates by line of sight with another similar antenna or a geosynchronous orbiting satellite.

"Antenna, noncommercial" means an antenna not used in conjunction with a business, commercial enterprise, trade, calling, vocation, profession, occupation or means of livelihood, including, but not limited to, FCC licensed amateur radio stations and standard television-receive-only parabolic antennas.

"Antenna, nonparabolic" means an individual array or group of arrays used to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals, including, but not limited to, radio waves related to amateur radio stations licensed by the FCC and microwaves related to personal wireless service facilities.

"Antenna, parabolic" means a parabolic, semi-parabolic, disc, convex or double-convex shaped accessory structure, including, but not limited to, a main dish and covering, feedhorn, receiving element, structural supports and all other components thereof, which transmits and/or receives television signals or electromagnetic waves by line of sight with another similar antenna or geosynchronous or orbiting satellite.

"Antenna, roof-top parabolic" means a parabolic antenna which extends above the roofline of a building and is affixed through the use of an approved framework or other structural system to one or more structural members of a building or to the roof of a building.

"Antenna, satellite uplink" means a commercial parabolic antenna which receives and transmits electromagnetic waves by line of sight with geosynchronous orbiting satellites.

"Antenna structure" means an antenna array and its associated support structure, such as a mast or tower, but not to include a suspended simple wire antenna that is used for the purpose of transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic signals, including but not limited to radio waves and microwaves.

"Antenna structure, freestanding" means an antenna structure that is not attached to a building, fence, or other such structure.

"Antenna structure, lattice" means freestanding or guyed (wire ground connections) steel structure frame.

"Antenna structure, monopole" means a tubular antenna structure made of metal, reinforced concrete, or wood.

"Antenna, TVRO" means a television-receive-only nonparabolic antenna; a standard roof-mounted antenna array and its associated support structure that is used solely to receive broadcast television signals.

"Antenna, vertical whip" means a pole or single element vertical antenna usually no more than three inches in diameter and its associated support structure.

"Base station" (base transceiver station, BTS) means a fixed station at a specified site authorized to communicate with mobile stations. Base stations are usually housed in metal cabinets or small structures within close proximity to the antenna structure on the same site.

California State Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The CPUC regulates those telecommunications which are also considered public utilities.

"Co-location" means the practice of locating wireless telecommunications equipment for more than one provider on a single site or on a single antenna support structure.

Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS). The regulatory classification that the FCC uses to govern all commercial wireless service providers including personal communications services, cellular and enhanced specialized mobile radio.

"Electromagnetic fields (EMFs)" means the local electric and magnetic fields that envelop the surrounding space. (See non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation.)

"Enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR)" means a PCS that offers two-way voice and data communications through hand-held and car-mounted phones and through wireless modems incorporated into devices such as portable computers and electronic notebooks.

"Extremely low frequency radiation (ELF)" means energy transmitted from electric power such as overhead powerlines, electrical wiring, and electrical appliances. ELF is a component of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). (See electromagnetic fields.)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA also has a limited role in the regulation of telecommunications tower sites. Their review focuses on the height and location of towers to prevent interference with aircraft operations.

"Federal Communications Commission (FCC)" means the federal government agency that licenses most radio services. FCC regulations supersede some of the authority of local jurisdictions to regulate telecommunications facilities. The FCC has primary regulatory control over telecommunications facilities through its powers to control interstate commerce and specifically through the Federal Communications Act, which established the FCC to provide a comprehensive national system to regulate radio frequency transmissions and related facilities.

Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation (NIER). Non-ionizing radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation. It includes ordinary light which one can see, and infrared radiation, which is sensed as heat.

"Personal communications services (PCS)" means and refers to digital wireless, personal two-way communications systems. A broad range of telecommunications services that enable people and devices to communicate independent of location. PCS networks and devices operate over a wide range of frequencies assigned and authorized by the FCC.

"Personal wireless service facilities" means facilities for the provision of personal wireless services. Also see "telecommunications facilities."

"Personal wireless services" means commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services, and common carrier wireless exchange access services.

"Radiofrequency radiation (RFR)" means one of several types of electromagnetic radiation consisting of waves of electric and magnetic energy moving together through space. These waves are generated by the movement of electrical charges.

"Screening" means the effect of locating an antenna behind a building, wall, fence, landscaping, berm, and/or other specially designed device so that view of the antenna from adjoining and nearby public street rights-of-way and private properties is precluded or minimized.

"Shadowing effect (shadow)" means area in which a radio signal transmitted from a particular location is received poorly or not at all due to natural or man-made obstructions.

"Specialized mobile radio (SMR)" means a private business service using mobile radiotelephone and base stations communicating via the public phone network.

"Telecommunications facilities" means communications towers, antennas and the necessary appurtenances; a land use that sends and/or receives radio frequency signals, including antennas, microwave dishes or horns, structures or towers to support receiving and/or transmitting devices, accessory development and structures, and the land on which they all are situated.

"Unlicensed wireless service" means the offering of telecommunications services using duly authorized devices which do not require individual licenses, but not the provision of direct-to-home satellite services.

(Ord. 587 § 1 (part), 1997)