City of Leander

In the City of Leander, antenna regulations are part of the Zoning Ordinance. Section 6, "Definitions," contains the following definitions:

Antenna.  Any exterior apparatus designed for telephonic, radio, or
          television communications through the sending and/or receiving 
          of electromagnetic waves including equipment attached to a tower, 
          building, or other structure for the purpose of providing 
          personal wireless services.  Antennas include the following types:

          (a) Omni-Directional (or "Whip") Antenna.  Receives and transmits 
              signals in a three hundred sixty (360) degree pattern, and which 
              is up to fifteen (15) feet in height and up to four inches in
              diameter;

          (b) Directional (or "Panel") Antenna.  Receives and transmits signals
              in a directional pattern typically encompassing an arc of one
              hundred twenty (120) degrees;

          (c) Parabolic (or "Dish") Antenna.  A bowl shaped devices that 
              receives and transmits signals in a specific directional pattern;

          (d) Ancillary Antenna.  An antenna that is less than twelve (12)
              inches in its largest dimension and that is not directly used to 
              provide personal wireless communications services.  An example
              would be a global positioning satellite antenna (GPS.)

          (e) Other.  All other transmitting or receiving equipment not 
              specifically described in this chapter which most closely 
              resembles such equipment.

EIA-222.  Electronics Industries Association Standard 222, "Structural 
          Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Support Structures."


Guy Wire. Diagonal cables utilized to tie towers to the ground or other 
          surfaces.

Lattice Tower.  A support structure that consists of a network of crossed 
          metal braces, forming a tower that is usually triangular or 
          square in cross section.

Monopole.  A self-supporting telecommunications tower, whcih consists of a 
          single vertical pole, fixed into the ground and/or attached to
          a foundation.

Stealth. A telecommunications tower or antenna that is effectively camouflaged
          or concealed from view, i.e.: a man made tree; clock tower; church
          steeple; bell tower; utility pole; light standard; identification 
          pylon; flagpole; or similar structure, designed to support and 
          camouflage or conceal the presence of telecommunications antennas.

Support Structure.  The structure to which an antenna and other necessary 
          associated hardware is attached.  Support structures include, but 
          are not limited to,  the following:

          (a) Non-residential structure;
 
          (b) Monopole - a single pole sunk into the ground and/or attached
              to a foundation;

          (c) Street pole - a telephone, electric or cable television pole
              located in a developed street right-of-way.

Tower. A mast, pole, monopole, or other structure designed and primarily used
          to support antennas.

Tower, Freestanding.  A self-supporting structure attached to the ground by a 
          foundation, not physically attached to a building or structure.

WCF (wireless communications facility.)  A facility that transmits and/or
          receives electromagnetic signals, including antennas, microwave 
          dishes, parabolic antennas, directional antennas, and other types
          of euipment for hte transmission or reception of such signals,
          towers, or similar structures supporting the equipment, equipment 
          buildings, shelters, cabinets, parking areas, and other necessary 
          development.

Article II, Section 20, "Zoning Regulations: General" addresses tower height:

(b) Conformity to Height Requirement.  No building shall be erected, converted,
    enlarged, reconstructed, or structurally altered to exceed the height limit
    herein established for the District in which such building is located 
    except as set forth below:

    (1) The height limits prescribed herein shall not apply to television and 
        radio towers, church spires, belfries, monuments, tanks, water and
        fire towers, stage towers, scenery lofts, cooling towers, ornamental 
        towers and spires, chimneys, elevator bulkheads, smokestacks, necessary
        public or private utilities, conveyors, flag poles, and necessary 
        mechanical appurtenances unless they extend twenty (20) feet
        above the maximum height established for the District.

Section 24, "`R-1' Single Family Residential District" specifically lists "Water supply reservoirs, pumping plants, and towers" among the conforming uses in R-1 Districts.

The entirety of Article III of the Zoning Ordinances addresses "Wireless Communications Facilities." An interested party should read the entire article. Highlights include Section 4, "General Provisions: Use and Location"

(a) Use.  WCFS shall be an additional permitted use as follows:

  (1) Residential Areas.  Freestanding WCFs, including lattice towers, are 
      prohibited.  WCFs attached to street poles or facades attached to 
      non-residential buildings or stealth WCFs are permitted subject to the 
      provisions of this chapter.

Section 8 of Article III specifically addresses the Amateur Radio operator:

(a) Exempt Communication Facilities.
    The requirement imposed by this title shall not apply to antennas designed
    to receive video programming signals from direct broadcast satellite (DBS) 
    services, multi-channel multipoint distribution providers (MMDS,) or 
    television broadcast stations (TVBS) provided that all of the following 
    conditions are met:

    (1) The antenna measures thirty-nine (39) inches (one meter) or less in
        diameter;

    (2) The antenna, if attached to a building, shall comply with Section 6j;
   
    (3) The antenna is attached to a freestanding tower measuring less than
        twelve (12) feet in height; and,
    
    (4) This excludes lightning rods, private mobile radio systems, amateur 
        radio antennas less than 50 feet (15 meters) in height and whip 
        antennas less than 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter and less than 10 
        feet (3 meters) in height.

For more information, see the City of Leander Website.

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