Title 12174 · Code of Ordinances
Sec. 711.438. - Objective design standards.
Citation: Jacksonville, FL Code of Ordinances § 711.438.
Section: 711.438.
(a) Intent and purpose. Small Wireless Sole Purpose New Utility Poles shall be designed in such a manner and placed in a safe location that does not interfere with the traveling public, and shall be designed to maximize compatibility with the Surrounding Neighborhood and to minimize any negative visual impact on the Surrounding Neighborhood. The following design standards shall apply, unless waived pursuant to Subpart C. (b) Objective design standards. All Small Wireless Sole Purpose New Utility Poles shall meet the following objective design standards: Small Wireless Sole Purpose New Utility Poles Generally applicable standards: Standards applicable to all existing and new pole types (streetlight, transmission, signal, other) and materials: (1) Shall at all times comply with and abide by all applicable provisions of the State and Federal law and City ordinances, codes and regulations when placing, maintaining or collocating a Communications Facility or Small Wireless Utility Pole in City Rights-of-Way; no guy wires are allowed. (2) No signage allowed, unless legally required; no advertising or company information allowed. (3) No lights unless required by FAA. Sole Purpose, New Pole Facilities: Maximum height of pole Height limited to tallest existing pole in ROW within 500 feet; if no pole, height of new pole with antenna limited to 50 feet. Minimum height Prohibited on poles 15 feet or less. Appearance Substantially similar to design, material and color of existing poles in corridor; however if wood poles are the predominant pole in the corridor, then new pole may be wood unless there are plans to upgrade poles to a different material; fluted poles shall be used in areas where existing historic streetlights are installed along corridor. Diameter of new pole Diameter at base cannot be greater than 1.5× greater than diameter of largest existing pole in corridor within 500 feet. An applicant may use an architectural, ground- mounted pedestal at the pole base to internally accommodate Wireless Equipment. In such a case, the architectural base shall be a maximum height of 36 inches, a maximum width of 18 inches and a maximum volume of six cubic feet. Internal channel To the extent possible consistent with requirements for compatible material and diameter every new pole shall accommodate internal wires, and cabling and additional equipment. Location • In areas where there is existing overhead electrical service, new poles must be located on the same side of the street as electrical transmission/distribution line or service to pole must be provided underground; in areas where electrical service has been undergrounded, new poles must be located on same side of street as existing streetlights. • Located with sufficient space to accommodate present and planned travel lanes for all users; • May not be located within two feet of existing sidewalk or multi-use trail or where City has plans for new sidewalk or multi-use trail • Located equidistant between existing poles unless doing so results in an impermissible distance limitation, subject to specific location criteria below: ° In all locations, minimum 10 feet from driveways and 30 feet from hydrants ° In residential areas, poles placed in line with common interior side lot lines, but in the event it is not practicable at that location, poles shall be placed as close as practicable to the common lot line but within the required side yard setback as such is extended into the Right-of-Way or five feet, whichever is greater; ° No further than 10 feet from side property line on residential corner lots; ° Cannot obstruct the view of commercial business signs or the front/principal façade of any business or single family residence, as determined by the Planning and Development Department; ° Cannot be placed in line with front/principal façade of business unless there are already parking or loading spaces present. Aerial connections Pursuant to the provisions in City Ordinance requiring underground utilities where appropriate, aerial electrical and fiber connections prohibited where majority of utilities have been undergrounded; lowest wire in areas of bicycle or pedestrian use must be at least 18 feet above grade. Antenna Maximum height of antenna Ten feet above top of pole. Antenna location For antennae providing 4G service, flush mounted to top of pole only, in line with pole. For antennae related to 5G, must be placed flush with pole, immediately below 4G antenna, if present; otherwise as close as possible to the pole top. Max volume of antenna 6 Cu. feet. Enclosure required For antennae providing 4G service, antenna and its connection to pole must be completely shrouded, in line with pole and must smoothly transition to top of pole. No enclosure shall be required for 5G antennae, however such antennae shall match the color of the pole and shall have as minimal a profile as possible. Size of antenna shroud Diameter no more than 2× greater than new pole top (cylinder). Shroud color/material For all 4G antennae, shroud must match color and style of pole. However, in all instances, all wiring and other equipment must be enclosed in shroud. Number of antenna shrouds allowed One 6 cu. foot antenna shroud only per pole but no limit on antennae within shroud. Wireless Equipment Max cumulative volume Cumulative maximum volume of all Wireless Equipment shall not exceed 28 Cu. Ft, provided that the following types of associated ancillary equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meters, concealment elements, telecommunications demarcation boxes, ground-based enclosures, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cutoff switches, vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services, and utility poles or other support structures. Location of Wireless Equipment Wireless Equipment may be externally pole mounted, flush with the pole, provided the depth of any such equipment shall not exceed 20 inches and equipment width shall not exceed 2× the diameter of the pole. Wireless Equipment shall not obstruct the view of commercial business signs or the front/principal façade of any business or single family residence, as determined by the Planning and Development Department. Wireless Equipment may also be located underground or internal to the pole. All grounding rods must be below grade and inside a pull box which meets FDOT standards and must not be placed on a pedestrian ramp. Pole mounted Wireless Equipment location Free mounted disconnect may be pole located, must comply with National Electric Safety Code requirements, and must have a minimum separation of 12" to pole mounted surge protector or meter, if any; Radio and other equipment cabinet must be no less than ten feet and no more than 18 feet above grade. All exterior-mounted equipment must be located at least 12" below communication cables, if any. For traffic signal poles and streetlights, replacement pole must be the same height as the original pole. For transmission/distribution poles, replacement pole may be up to five feet above the original pole height. Pole mounted color/material On all poles, except wood poles where allowed, all wires and cabling shall be placed internal to the pole; all pole mounted equipment, including external wires and cables, if allowed, shall be flush mounted, and shrouded or encased in a covering that matches the pole in color and texture; mounting straps shall only be allowed on poles where direct amount is not possible or impairs pole structure and in the event external straps are used, they must match pole color. Ground mounted Wireless Equipment (if available through waiver) Must be located in areas of existing foliage. Must be located within 10 foot radius of pole. Ground mounted color/material (if available through waiver) All equipment, cables, etc. must be enclosed; must use camouflage; may use wraps to conceal equipment. (Ord. 2017-863-E , § 4; Ord. 2019-770-E , § 12)