(1) Noise. Any facility that requires a generator or other device that will create noise must demonstrate compliance with Chapter 8.20 CMC, Noise Control. A noise report prepared by an acoustical engineer shall be submitted with any application to construct and operate a wireless communication facility that will have a generator or similar device. The City may require that the report be reviewed by an independent technical expert at the sole expense of the applicant.

(2) Business License Requirement. Any person, corporation, or entity that operates a wireless communication facility within the City shall obtain and maintain a valid Covington business license, issued annually by the City. Any person, corporation, or other business entity that owns a tower is also required to obtain and maintain a valid Covington business license.

(3) Signage. Only safety signs or those mandated by other public agencies may be located on wireless communication facilities. No other types of signs are permitted on wireless communication facilities.

(4) Parking. Any application must demonstrate that there is sufficient space for temporary parking for regular maintenance of the proposed facility.

(5) Finish. A tower shall either maintain a galvanized steel finish or, subject to the applicable standards of the FAA or FCC, be painted a neutral color so as to reduce its visual obtrusiveness.

(6) Design. Wireless communication facilities shall be screened or camouflaged by employing the best available technology. The design of all antennas, towers, support structures, buildings, and ancillary structures shall use materials, colors, textures, screening, and landscaping that will blend the tower facilities with the natural setting and built environment.

(7) Color. All antennas and ancillary wireless communication facilities located on buildings or structures other than towers shall be of a neutral color that is identical to or closely compatible with the color of the supporting structure so as to make the antenna and ancillary facilities as visually unobtrusive as possible.

(8) Lighting. Wireless communication facilities shall not be artificially lighted unless required by the FAA, FCC, or other applicable government authority. If lighting is required, the reviewing authority shall review the lighting alternatives and approve the design that would cause the least disturbance to the surrounding areas. No strobe lighting of any type is permitted on any tower.

(9) Advertising. No advertising is permitted at wireless communication facility sites or on any ancillary structures or facilities equipment compound.

(10) Ancillary Wireless Communication Facilities. All ancillary wireless communication facilities shall meet the underlying zoning district’s setback requirements unless a zoning setback modification is granted pursuant to CMC 18.70.160.

(11) Equipment Enclosures. If feasible, equipment enclosures shall be located within existing buildings or located underground. If some other placement is proposed, the applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City that it is not feasible to locate the equipment below ground. All equipment and cabinets that will be visible to the traveling public, workers, or residents shall be as small and unobtrusive as is practicable and designed to blend in with existing surrounds. The applicant shall size any equipment enclosure and other facilities to minimize visual clutter. Each applicant shall be limited to an equipment enclosure of 360 square feet at each site. However, this size restriction shall not apply to enclosures located within an existing commercial, industrial, residential, or institutional building.

(12) Owner Approval. At the time of application the applicant must submit proof that they have contacted and received approval for the placement of the antenna at the specified location from the support structure owner (e.g., building, water tower, utility pole, electrical transmission structure, monopole) and, if different, the land owner upon which the structure is located.

(13) Building Standards. Wireless communication support structures shall be constructed so as to meet or exceed the most recent Electronic Industries Association/Telecommunications Industries Association (EIA/TIA) 222 Revision Standard entitled: “Structural Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures” (or equivalent), and as it may be updated or amended. Utility poles and transmission structures that are owned and/or maintained by the serving electric utility shall be designed to meet the National Electric Safety Code. Prior to issuance of a building permit the Building Official shall be provided with an engineer’s certification that the support structure’s design meets or exceeds the preceding applicable standards.

(14) Maintenance. Wireless communication carriers shall maintain their wireless communication facility in a good and safe condition. They shall preserve its original appearance and concealment, disguise, or camouflage elements incorporated into the design at the time of approval and in a manner which complies with all applicable Federal, State, and local requirements. Such maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, such items as painting, repair of equipment, and maintenance of landscaping.

(15) Critical Areas. Wireless communication facilities shall not be allowed in designated critical areas (except aquifer recharge areas) unless they are collocated on existing facilities.

(16) Radio Frequency Emissions. The applicant shall demonstrate that the wireless communication facility will comply with the radio frequency emission standards adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

(17) State or Federal Requirements. All wireless communication facilities must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of the FAA, the FCC, and any other agency of the State or Federal government with the authority to regulate towers and antennas. If such standards and regulations are changed, then the owners of the towers and antennas governed by this section shall bring such towers and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations within six months of the effective date of such standards and regulations, unless a different compliance schedule is mandated by the controlling State or Federal agency. Failure to bring towers and antennas into compliance with such revised standards and regulations shall constitute grounds for the removal of the tower or antenna at the owner’s expense. (Ord. 03-19 § 3 (Exh. B); Ord. 09-12 § 1 (Exh. A))