Before I could even purchase the tower, I had to do a fair amount of work to get the building permit. As a result of a proliferation of cell towers and problems with amateur radio operators installing structures without a proper building permit, the county planning committee had become more sensitized to the impact of such structures. They revised the Development Code to restrict the height of a private communication antenna to "the height limitation of a main structure allowed in the regulatory zone in which the antenna is erected with a bonus of up to ten (10) feet." That would have limited my antenna support structure to 45 feet, down from the previously accepted height of 65' and far below the optimum height for many of the HF bands! To go higher would require an expensive variance process.
Fortunately, I was able to obtain approval for a 70 foot crank up tower, as it had a retracted height of 24' 6" which was acceptable to the planning board. This saved me a lot of grief and expense.
Fortunately, I was able to obtain approval for a 70 foot crank up tower, as it had a retracted height of 24' 6" which was acceptable to the planning board. This saved me a lot of grief and expense.
To prepare my application, I extensively used the information contained in the ARRL publication: Antenna Zoning for the Radio Amateur by Fred Hopengarten, K1VR. I was able to put together a binder with:
1. Application for a building permit which contained the following exhibits: FCC license of applicant, engineering drawings and calculations, site plot plan, neighborhood parcel map, topographic map of the property, and overhead view of the property.
2. Section with the pertinent current local statues.
3. Section with the pertinent current state building codes.
4. Section with the pertinent current federal law (PRB-1).
5. Section with the structural details.
1. Application for a building permit which contained the following exhibits: FCC license of applicant, engineering drawings and calculations, site plot plan, neighborhood parcel map, topographic map of the property, and overhead view of the property.
2. Section with the pertinent current local statues.
3. Section with the pertinent current state building codes.
4. Section with the pertinent current federal law (PRB-1).
5. Section with the structural details.
In addition, I met with neighbors within about 500' of the proposed structure, explained amateur radio (including emergency communications), discussed the details of the structure, and had them sign letters of support. I would refer you to (sample letters were included in Fred Hopengarten's book). It was surprising how friendly and cooperative my neighbors were!
My plan was accepted as drawn. The only glitch encountered was when the building department required that an independent engineer review and approve tower structure. It slowed down the process, but I didn't need to pay for the additional engineering time - that was covered by the county building department.
I had applied for the building permit on May 12, 2004 and it was issued on September 13, 2004.
My plan was accepted as drawn. The only glitch encountered was when the building department required that an independent engineer review and approve tower structure. It slowed down the process, but I didn't need to pay for the additional engineering time - that was covered by the county building department.
I had applied for the building permit on May 12, 2004 and it was issued on September 13, 2004.
