§ 27-290.2. Antennas.

(a)

General regulations.

(1)

Subsections (a) through (g) of this section shall apply to satellite dish antenna and conventional receive-only communication antennae. Amateur radio antennae are regulated under subsection (h). All other wireless communication antennas are regulated under subsection (i).

(2)

Where the term "antenna" is used, the term refers to both types of antennas. The terms "satellite dish antenna" and "conventional antenna" refer separately to the individual types of antennas.

Satellite dish antennas are defined to include all parabolic or spherical antennas whose purpose is to receive and/or transmit satellite signals of both audio and video transmission.

All antennas are considered structures and shall be installed in accordance with all applicable provisions of the building code of the city.

(3)

No advertising or signage of any type is permitted on an antenna.

(4)

The height of a ground-mounted antenna shall be the total maximum distance to which it is capable of being raised and shall be measured from the finished grade adjacent to the structure. The height of roof-mounted antennas shall be the total maximum distance to which it is capable of being raised and shall be measured from the highest point of the finished grade of the portion of the roof on which it is mounted.

(b)

Regulations for single-family and the RM-12 residential districts and for single-family detached use in any zoning district.

(1)

General regulations. An antenna shall be considered an accessory structure and shall not constitute the principal use of the property.

(2)

Dimensional regulations.

a.

The placement of antennas shall be limited to one (1) satellite dish antenna and one (1) conventional antenna per zoning lot upon which the primary use is located.

b.

The maximum size of the satellite dish antenna shall be limited to twelve (12) feet in diameter. The maximum height of a conventional antenna shall not extend four (4) feet above the roof of the principal structure.

c.

The antenna shall only be located in the rear or side yard provided that the location is between the rear main building wall of the principal structure and the rear lot line. The antenna shall not be located in a front or corner yard.

d.

The satellite dish antenna shall maintain rear and side yards of a depth equal to or greater than its height.

e.

The satellite dish antenna may be roof-mounted only when the dish is no larger than eighteen (18) inches in diameter. A satellite dish antenna over eighteen (18) inches in diameter shall not be permitted on the roof of any structure, regardless of whether the zoning district height limitation can be met.

f.

The overall height of the antenna shall not exceed the maximum height restriction of the applicable zoning district. The height measurement shall include both the antenna and any base or fixture upon which it is constructed.

If the satellite dish antenna is ground-mounted upon a base or fixture, the bottom of the antenna shall not be located more than eighteen (18) inches above the eaves of the roof of the principal structure.

(c)

Regulations for multiple-family residential (except RM-12), office and CN and CG districts.

(1)

General regulations. The following regulations shall apply to an antenna considered an accessory structure to the primary use of the property. Any accessory use shall not be utilized for any off-site commercial purposes.

(2)

Number of antennas.

a.

Single occupancy parcel shall be limited to two (2) antennas per zoning lot.

b.

Multiple occupancy parcel shall be limited to two (2) ground-mounted antennas per zoning lot, one (1) roof-mounted antenna per each establishment in a multiple occupancy parcel, or one (1) wall-mounted antenna, provided the wall-mounted antenna is conventional or satellite dish less than twenty-four (24) inches in diameter. The total number of antennas on the zoning lot may not exceed the number of establishments on the zoning lot.

(3)

Dimensional regulations. The antenna may either be located on the ground or may be located on the wall or roof of the principal structure as prescribed below.

a.

Location, yard and height regulations for ground-mounted antennas.

1.

The antenna shall not be located in the front or corner lot.

2.

The ground-mounted satellite dish antenna shall maintain rear and side yards of a depth equal to or greater than its diameter. The conventional antenna shall maintain rear and side yards of a depth equal to or greater than its height.

3.

The overall height of the satellite dish antenna shall not exceed twenty-two (22) feet. The height measurement shall include both the satellite dish antenna and any base or fixture upon which the antenna is constructed. The maximum height of a conventional antenna shall not exceed the maximum height of the underlying zoning district.

4.

The satellite dish antenna shall be screened from view of adjacent street rights-of-way by intervening buildings and/or trees and vegetation, per section 27-284(2)a. The applicant shall provide documentation to the zoning administrator that the proposed location meets the screening requirements.

b.

Location and height of roof-mounted antennas.

1.

Antennas may be roof-mounted only on principal structures in excess of thirty (30) feet in height. The roof-mounted antenna shall not be more than twenty-two (22) feet in height, including the base and any fixture upon which the antenna is constructed.

2.

The total combined height of the building and antenna shall not in any case exceed the maximum height restriction of the applicable zoning district.

3.

Satellite dish antennas shall be setback a minimum ten (10) feet from the perimeter edge of the roof.

c.

Location and height of wall-mounted antennas.

1.

Antennas may be wall-mounted on a building wall along the side or rear yard of the zoning lot.

2.

The maximum size of a satellite dish shall be twenty-four (24) inches in diameter.

3.

The overall height of the antenna shall not exceed the maximum height restriction of the applicable zoning district. The height measurement shall include both the antenna and the structure upon which it is constructed. The bottom of the antenna shall not be located more than eighteen (18) inches above the eaves of the roof of the structure upon which it is constructed.

(d)

Regulations for CI, industrial and M-AP districts.

(1)

General regulations. The following regulations shall apply to any antenna considered accessory structure unless the transmission and/or reception of satellite signals is intrinsic to the principal use of the property. When considered an accessory structure, the antenna shall not be constructed prior to the construction of the principal use of the property.

a.

Antennas as accessory structures.

1.

The number of antennas shall be limited as follows:

i.

Single occupancy parcel shall be limited to two (2) antennas per zoning lot.

ii.

Multiple occupancy parcels shall be limited to two (2) ground-mounted antennas or one (1) wall-mounted antenna (provided the antenna is conventional or a satellite dish less than twenty-four (24) inches in diameter) per each establishment in a multiple occupancy parcel. At no time can the number of antennas on a zoning lot exceed the number of establishments.

2.

The location, yard, and height shall be required as follows:

i.

Ground-mounted antenna. The antenna shall not be located in the front or corner yard. A satellite dish antenna shall maintain rear and side yards of a depth equal to or greater than its diameter. The conventional antenna shall maintain rear and side yards of a depth equal to or greater than its height. The overall height of the antenna shall not exceed twenty-two (22) feet. The height measurement shall include both the antenna and any base or fixture upon which it is constructed.

ii.

Roof-mounted antenna. The satellite dish antenna shall not be more than twenty (20) feet in overall height. The height measurement shall not be more than twenty (20) feet in overall height. The height measurement shall include both the satellite dish antenna and any base or fixture upon which it is constructed. The total combined height of the building and satellite dish antenna shall not in any case exceed the maximum height restriction of the applicable zoning district. The antenna shall be setback a minimum ten (10) feet from the perimeter edge of the roof.

iii.

Wall-mounted antenna. A satellite dish or conventional antenna may be attached to any building wall along the side or rear yard of the zoning lot. The maximum size of a satellite dish shall be twenty-four (24) inches in diameter. The overall height of the antenna shall not exceed the maximum height restriction of the applicable zoning district. The height measurement shall include both the antenna and the structure upon which it is constructed. The bottom of the satellite dish antenna shall not be located more than eighteen (18) inches above the eaves of the roof of the structure upon which it is constructed.

(b)

Antennas when the transmission and/or reception of satellite signals is intrinsic to the principal use of the property:

1.

Satellite dish antennas may be roof or ground-mounted. If ground-mounted, the satellite dish antenna shall maintain rear and side yards of a depth equal to or greater than its diameter.

2.

The total combined height of the building and satellite dish antenna shall not in any case exceed the maximum height restriction of the applicable zoning district.

(e)

Regulations for satellite dishes located at radio and television studios and colleges.

(1)

The utilization of antennas at radio and television stations and colleges is intrinsic to the operation of the station or college; therefore, the number of antennas is not limited, provided the following location, yard and height regulations are met.

(2)

Antennas may be roof-, wall- or ground-mounted. If ground-mounted, the antenna shall maintain required yards of a depth equal to or greater than its diameter. The total combined height of the building and antenna shall not in any case exceed the maximum height restriction of the applicable zoning district.

(f)

Regulations for the Ybor City Historic District. Antennas are not permitted within the Ybor City Historic District except for locations at a college or office in the YC-3 subdistrict where the utilization of antennas is intrinsic to the operation of the college or office and subject to the following requirements:

(1)

Antennas shall be roof- or ground-mounted.

(2)

Ground-mounted antennas shall maintain any required yards as set forth in Table 8-2, subject to minimum required yards of a depth equal to or greater than its diameter.

(3)

The total combined height of the building and antenna shall not in any case exceed the maximum height restrictions of the applicable zoning district as set forth in Table 8-2.

(g)

Variances. Variances to these requirements shall only be authorized by the variance review board or the Architectural Review Commission (in historic districts, generally, or landmark sites) or the Barrio Latino Commission (in the Ybor City Historic District), according to its procedures as outlined in this Code. However, in the single-family, multiple-family, office, CN and CG districts, the board shall not be authorized to grant variance requests which would allow the installation of an antenna in the required front or corner yard. In addition to the provisions of sections 27-80, 27-99(i)(3)b, 27-114(d), the applicant must clearly demonstrate that the requirements of this section mandate a location of the antenna such that reception is severely restricted or impaired.

(h)

Regulations for amateur radio antennae.

(1)

General regulations.

a.

Antenna shall mean the arrangement of wires or metal rods utilized for the purpose of transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves.

b.

Antenna support structure shall mean any structure, mast, pole, tripod, or tower utilized for the purposes of supporting an antenna or antennae for the purpose of transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves by federally licensed amateur radio or citizens band radio operators.

c.

Antenna height shall mean the overall vertical length of the antenna and antenna support structure above grade, or if such system is located on a building, then the overall vertical length includes the height of the building upon which the structure is mounted.

d.

All antennae are considered structures and shall be installed in accordance with all applicable provisions of Chapter 5, Building Code of the City of Tampa.

e.

No advertising or signage of any type is permitted on an antenna.

(2)

Dimensional regulations.

a.

In all single-family and the RM-12 residential districts, the placement of antennae shall be limited to one (1) antenna per zoning lot upon which the primary use is located. The antenna shall not be permitted on the roof of any structure and no antennae height shall exceed forty-five (45) feet above finished grade.

b.

In RM-16, RM-18, RO, RO-1, CN and all other zoning districts, the placement of antennae shall be limited to two (2) antennae per zoning lot. The antenna may either be located on the ground or may be located on the roof of the principal structure; however the total combined height of the building and antenna shall not exceed forty-five (45) feet above finished grade.

c.

The antenna height allowed if located in all other multi-family residential districts and all office, commercial or industrial zoning districts shall not exceed the maximum height restriction of the applicable zoning district.

d.

The antenna shall maintain accessory structure setbacks as required in section 27-290, Accessory structures.

(3)

Variances. Variances to these requirements shall only be authorized by the variance review board or the Architectural Review Commission (in historic districts, generally, or landmark sites) or the Barrio Latino Commission (in the Ybor City Historic District), according to its procedures as outlined in this Code. In addition to the provisions of sections 27-80, 27-95(i)(3)b., 27-114(d), the applicant must clearly demonstrate the following:

a.

That the requirements of this section mandate a location of the antenna such that reception is severely restricted or impaired, and

b.

That the variance requested is the minimum necessary to make possible the reasonable use of the antenna.

The variance review board or the Architectural Review Commission (in historic districts, generally, or landmark sites) or the Barrio Latino Commission (in the Ybor City Historic District) must consider the following objectives of the Federal Communications Commission in determining whether a variance is appropriate:

a.

There is a strong federal interest in promoting amateur operations.

b.

Amateur communications provide an effective means of communication during disaster and emergency situations.

c.

Amateur radio service provides a reservoir of trained operators, technicians and electronic experts who can be called on in times of national or local emergencies.

d.

By its nature, the amateur radio service also provides the opportunity for individual operators to further international goodwill.

(i)

Wireless communication antennas. Wireless communication antennas may be attached to any structure, conforming or nonconforming. The following conditions must be met:

(1)

Wireless communication antennas shall be installed in accordance with all applicable provisions of the building code of the city.

(2)

No advertising or signage of any type is permitted on wireless communication antennas or equipment storage buildings or areas. Attachment to existing signs following restrictions of this section is permitted.

(3)

The installation of the antenna shall not create any restriction or interference with air safety and any operations as per the Federal Aviation Administration, Hillsborough Aviation Authority or MacDill Air Force Base.

(4)

If visible from surrounding property the wireless communication antenna and equipment storage buildings or area shall be designed to be consistent with the aesthetic properties of the building or structure to be utilized, such as color or material.

(5)

The wireless communication antenna shall comply with the FCC and other applicable federal or state regulations relative to telecommunications and radio frequency emission levels.

Additionally, the following restrictions shall apply:

(6)

On structures (except commercial communication towers) sixty (60) feet and higher:

a.

In the case of building rooftop installation, any wireless communication antenna or equipment storage buildings or areas shall not exceed a height of fifteen (15) feet above the roof line. Height shall be measured from the finish level of the portion of the roof on which it is mounted.

b.

Any antenna placed on any structure other than a building roof (e.g. water tower, billboard, etc.), may not be greater than twenty (20) feet in height.

(7)

On structures (except commercial communication towers) less than sixty (60) feet; but not less than thirty (30) feet:

a.

In the case of building rooftop installation, any wireless communication antenna or equipment storage buildings or areas shall not exceed a height of ten (10) feet above the roof line. Height shall be measured from the finish level of the portion of the roof on which it is mounted.

b.

Any antenna placed on any structure other than a building roof (e.g. water tower, billboard, etc.), may not be greater than ten (10) feet in height.

(8)

The applicant may petition the Variance Review Board, Barrio Latino Commission, or Architectural Review Commission, as applicable for a height variance per section 27-290.2(g).