Apply for a Communications Facility

Communication facilities, which primarily refers to wireless communication apparatuses such as cell towers, must gain approval of the project before installation. Depending on the complexity of the project, the application may be a Small Cell, Tier I, Tier II or Major facility. For more information about each, please see below.

 

Small Cell Sites

Small cell sites are wireless facilities  where all the antennas fit or would fit in an enclosure of not more than six (6) cubic feet in volume. The following process is for small cell sites in the public right-of-way. 

Step 1.Review the requirements for small cell sites

  • Verify your site is a small cell site per the definition in Chapter 31 of the Zoning Code.

Step 2.Submit a formal application online

Step 3.Staff review and approval

  • All applicable departments will review your submittal for code compliance
  • Staff comments will be provided within 20 working days of a complete submittal
  • A revised application addressing staff comments must be resubmitted
  • Additional revised submittals may be necessary if code issues are not adequately addressed.
  • Once all staff comments have been addressed, the application will be administratively approved.

Step 4.Next Steps

  • Subsequent to staff approval, the next step is to proceed with installation.

 

 

Major Communication Facilities

Review the requirements for Major Communication Facilities

Step 1.Submit a pre-application online to discuss your request with staff

  • All items must be submitted in PDF format.
  • Submit your pre-application with all required contents from Pre-application Process Guide(PDF, 145KB) through the customer portal HERE. You can find the application under "Planning and Zoning" - "Pre-application." If you are new to the Town's customer portal, you will need to sign-up first. A short video about the customer portal is available HERE.
  • Applications received by Wednesday at 5 PM will be scheduled for a meeting with the Development Review Committee (DRC) the following Thursday. Applications received after the deadline will be scheduled 2 Thursdays from the date received.
  • There are no fees associated with a pre-application review.
  • Upon receipt of your pre-application, staff will contact you with a time and date to meet with the Development Review Committee (DRC). The purpose of the DRC meeting is to introduce your project to town staff.
  • After the meeting, staff will provide preliminary comments regarding process and code compliance

Step 2.Present and answer questions at the 1st neighborhood meeting

  • A neighborhood meeting, facilitated by Town staff is required prior to submittal of the formal application
  • The purpose of this meeting is to:
    • Summarize the review process
    • Introduce the application to neighbors
    • Provide an opportunity for neighbors to give feedback and identify any concerns to help inform the formal application

Step 3.Submit a formal application online

  • All items must be provided in PDF format. 
  • Submit a formal application online through the customer portal with all required contents from the Communication Facility Guide(PDF, 716KB) . If you are new to the Town's customer portal, you will need to sign-up first. A short video about the customer portal is available HERE.
  • All fees must be paid prior to any public hearings. Reviews will not begin until all fees are paid. Fees may be paid online. 

Step 4.Staff review

  • All applicable departments will review your submittal for code compliance
  • Staff comments will be provided within 20 working days of a complete submittal
  • A revised application addressing staff comments must be resubmitted
  • Additional revised submittals may be necessary if code issues are not adequately addressed.
  • Once all staff comments are addressed, the application will be scheduled for consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission. 

Step 5.Present and answer questions at the 2nd neighborhood meeting (if necessary)

  • The purpose of the 2nd meeting is to:
    • Present your revised submittal to neighbors
    • Discuss any changes or mitigation measures incorporated to address prior concerns
    • Discuss any remaining issues or concerns to strive toward consensus
  • Additional neighborhood meetings may be necessary if unresolved issues remain

Step 6.Present and answer questions at the Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing

  • Major Communication Facilities requires consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission
  • Staff will provide a staff report regarding compliance to the zoning code 
  • A staff presentation will be provided outlining the proposed application followed by staff’s recommendation
  • The applicant will be provided an opportunity to present their application

Step 7.Present and answer questions at the Town Council Public Hearing

  • Following a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission, Town Council will consider the application
  • Staff will provide a staff report regarding Zoning Code compliance
  • If necessary, a staff presentation will be provided outlining the proposed application followed by the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation
  • If necessary, the applicant will be provided an opportunity to present their application

Step 8.Next steps

  • Subsequent to Town Council approval, the next step is to proceed with acquiring the necessary building permits. 

 

 

Tier 2 Communication Facilities

Step 1.Review the requirements for Tier 2 Minor Communication Facilities

Step 2.Submit a pre-application online to discuss your request with staff

  • All items must be submitted in PDF format.
  • Submit your pre-application with all required contents from Pre-application Process Guide(PDF, 145KB) through the customer portal HERE. You can find the application under "Planning and Zoning" - "Pre-application." If you are new to the Town's customer portal, you will need to sign-up first. A short video about the customer portal is available HERE.
  • Applications received by Wednesday at 5 PM will be scheduled for a meeting with the Development Review Committee (DRC) the following Thursday. Applications received after the deadline will be scheduled 2 Thursdays from the date received.
  • There are no fees associated with a pre-application review.
  • Upon receipt of your pre-application, staff will contact you with a time and date to meet with the Development Review Committee (DRC). The purpose of the DRC meeting is to introduce your project to town staff.
  • After the meeting, staff will provide preliminary comments regarding process and code compliance

Step 3.Present and answer questions at the 1st neighborhood meeting

  • A neighborhood meeting, facilitated by Town staff is required prior to submittal of the formal application
  • The purpose of this meeting is to:
    • Summarize the review process
    • Introduce the application to neighbors
    • Provide an opportunity for neighbors to give feedback and identify any concerns to help inform the formal application

Step 4.Submit a formal application online

  • All items must be provided in PDF format. 
  • Submit a formal application online through the customer portal with all required contents from the Communication Facility Guide(PDF, 716KB) . You can find the application under "Planning and Zoning" - "Wireless Communication Facility - Tier II Minor."
  • All fees must be paid  prior to the public meeting. Fees may be paid online. 

Step 5.Staff review

  • All applicable departments will review your submittal for code compliance
  • Staff comments will be provided within 20 working days of a complete submittal
  • A revised application addressing staff comments must be resubmitted
  • Additional revised submittals may be necessary if code issues are not adequately addressed.
  • Once all staff comments are addressed, the application will be scheduled for consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  

Step 6.Present and answer questions at the 2nd neighborhood meeting (if necessary)

  • The purpose of the 2nd meeting is to:
    • Present your revised submittal to neighbors
    • Discuss any changes or mitigation measures incorporated to address prior concerns
    • Discuss any remaining issues or concerns to strive toward consensus
  • Additional neighborhood meetings may be necessary if unresolved issues remain

Step 7.Present and answer questions at the Planning and Zoning Commission Public Meeting 

  • Tier 2 Minor Communication Facilities requires approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission
  • Staff will provide a staff report regarding Zoning Code compliance prior to the meeting
  • A staff presentation will be provided outlining the proposed application followed by staff’s recommendation
  • The applicant will be provided an opportunity to present their application
  • The general public, including neighbors, will similarly be provided an opportunity to speak during the public meeting

Step 8.Next steps

  • Upon Planning and Zoning Commission approval, the next step is to acquire any necessary building permits.

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Communication Facilities

Step 1.Review requirements for Tier 1 Minor Modifications, Collocations or Communication Facilities

  • Review the parameters for a Tier I Minor Communication Facility by reviewing Section 25.1.B.5.b. 
  • Complete the Process Determination Questionnaire at the beginning of the Communication Facility Guide(PDF, 825KB) to verify your proposal is a Tier I - minor modification, collocation or facility application. 

Step 2.Submit a formal application online

  • All items must be provided in PDF format. 
  • Submit a formal application online through the customer portal with all required contents from the Communication Facility Guide(PDF, 716KB) . You can find the application under "Commercial Building Permits" - "Communication Facility". If you are new to the Town's customer portal, you will need to sign-up first. A short video about the customer portal is available HERE.
  • All fees must be paid prior to an approval or permit issuance. Fees may be paid online. 

Step 3.Staff review and approval 

  • All applicable departments will review your submittal for code compliance 
  • Staff comments will be provided within 20 working days of a complete submittal
  • A revised application addressing staff comments may be required. Additional revised submittals may be necessary if code issues are not adequately addressed 
  • Once all staff comments have been addressed, the proposed communication facility will be administratively approved. The approved plan will be available on the customer portal.

Step 4.Next Steps

  • Upon approval and permit issuance, the next step is to procced with installation. 

 

 

Contact Us

Phone

520-229-4800

Email

planning@orovalleyaz.gov

Location

Community and Economic Development Department
11000 N. La Cañada Drive
85737
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