20.14.030 Implementation – Small wireless facilities permits.
The rights granted under a franchise are implemented through the issuance of small wireless facilities permits. The franchise application, required under Chapter 20.04 ACC, may be accompanied by one or more applications for a small wireless facilities permit to deploy small wireless facilities. An initial franchise and any related small wireless facilities permit applications will be processed concurrently.
A. Up to five sites may be specified in one small wireless facilities permit application for processing.
B. Issuance of a small wireless facilities permit to install small wireless facilities will be contingent upon approval of a franchise under Chapter 20.04 ACC, or the possession of a valid franchise.
C. Any element of a deployment that qualifies as an eligible facilities request under 47 CFR 1.600 will be specifically designated by the applicant and may be addressed separately by the director in order to comply with the shot clocks established by applicable law.
D. The director may approve, deny, or conditionally approve all or any portion of the sites proposed in a small wireless facilities permit application. Any denial of an application under this chapter must be made in writing and be supported by substantial evidence.
E. Any application for a small wireless facilities permit that contains an element that is not exempt from SEPA review will simultaneously submit a SEPA environmental checklist under Chapter 43.21C RCW and Chapter 16.06 ACC.
F. The city recognizes that the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 gives the Federal Communications Commission sole jurisdiction in the field of regulation based upon the environmental effects of electromagnetic radio frequency emissions and small wireless facilities that meet Federal Communications Commission standards will not be conditioned or denied on the basis of environmental effects of radio frequency or electromagnetic frequency impacts. Applicants for small wireless facilities will be required to provide the city information on the projected power density of the facility and compliance with the Federal Communications Commission requirements. (Ord. 6798 § 3 (Exh. C), 2020; Ord. 6707 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018.)