Wireless Facilities


Entitlements & Ministerial Review

The Planning Division reviews, processes, and evaluates proposed wireless applications for conformance with the General Plan, Zoning Ordinance, California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines (CEQA), the City of Antioch’s Wireless Policy, 6409 Provisions, as well as State planning regulations.

Facility Types

Facilities on City-Owned Properties

All wireless facilities on City-Owned Property (including modifications to existing facilities) require a Letter of Authorization and Lease Agreement from the City Attorney’s office.

Requirement(s):

  1. Letter of Authorization and Lease Agreement prior to submittal*
  2. Administrative Use Permit.
    *Applicants/ Agents should contact the City Attorney’s Office (cityattorney@antiochca.gov) to obtain the City’s proprietary consent that is required for a complete regulatory application to be processed.

Review Process

  • Step 1—Application Submittal. The applicant submits the project application via email to planning@antiochca.gov. Staff will review the submittal for initial completeness and send payment instructions.
  • Step 2—Application Processing. Staff will review the application for completeness with the submittal checklist. Once an application is deemed complete, the Zoning Administrator will issue a written approval, a conditional approval, or a denial without prejudice.

Eligible Facilities Request/6409 Modification

The term “eligible facilities request” is defined through the FCC and means any request for modification of an existing wireless tower or base station that involves:

(A)  collocation of new transmission equipment;

(B)  removal of transmission equipment; or

(C)  replacement of transmission equipment.

Modification requests to existing permitted wireless facilities are subject to City review.

Requirement(s): Minor Administrative Use Permit
Eligible Facilities Checklist
Review Process

  • Step 1—Application Submittal. The applicant submits the project application to the Planning Division. Staff will review the submittal for initial completeness and send payment instructions.
  • Step 2—Application Processing. Staff will review the application for completeness with the submittal checklist. Once an application is deemed complete, the Zoning Administrator will issue a written approval, a conditional approval, or a denial without prejudice.

** The City is unable to offer concurrent processing for zoning and building permits at this time **

Macro Facilities

Macro facilities are any wireless facility that is not a small wireless facility as defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R. § 1.6002(l). Examples include but are not limited to monopoles, mono trees, lattice towers as well as requests to construct, install, attach, operate, collocate, modify, reconstruct, relocate or otherwise deploy a new wireless facility that is not a small cell facility. Depending on the design and location a macro facility is subject to Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission review.
Requirement(s):  Administrative or Conditional Use Permit & Design Review.
Macro Facilities Checklist
Review Process

  • Step 1 – Pre-application Conference
    A pre-application conference includes representatives from Planning, Engineering, and Building Divisions (as needed) who provide a preliminary review and feedback on the proposed project scope. This meeting is required for all entitlement development applications.
  • Step 2—Application Submittal. The applicant submits the project application to the Planning Division. Staff will review the submittal for initial completeness and send payment instructions.
  • Step 3—Application Determination. Staff will review the application for completeness with the submittal checklist. If there are outstanding items, the application will be deemed “Incomplete” and contains a list of additionally required information. If the application provides all items on the checklist, it will be deemed “Complete“.
  • Step 4—Public Hearing Scheduled. Property owners within 300 feet will be notified of the hearing, and the notice will also be published in the newspaper.

Small Cell Facilities

Small cell facilities are a type of wireless broadband infrastructure that include smaller antennas (3-4 feet tall) that are placed on existing infrastructure such as utility poles. They are accompanied by equipment cabinets typically installed lower on the pole. This is defined by the FCC in 47 C.F.R. § 1.6002(l), as may be amended or superseded. Requests to construct, install, attach, operate, collocate, modify, reconstruct, relocate or otherwise deploy small wireless facilities are subject to City review.

Requirement: Major Administrative Use Permit.
Small Cell Facilities Checklist
Review Process

  • Step 1—Application Submittal. The applicant submits the project application to the Planning Division. Staff will review the submittal for initial completeness and send payment instructions. Applicants may submit a minimum of one request, or up to five individual requests as part of one application (but may schedule successive appointments for multiple applications whenever feasible and not prejudicial to other applicants).
  • Step 2—Application Processing. Staff will review the application for completeness with the submittal checklist. Once an application is deemed complete, the Zoning Administrator will issue a written approval, a conditional approval, or a denial without prejudice.
  • Step 3—Application Determination. Staff will review the application for completeness with the submittal checklist. If there are outstanding items, the application will be deemed “Incomplete” and contains a list of additionally required information. If the application provides all items on the checklist, it will be deemed “Complete“. At least ten calendar days prior to the approval authority issuing an approval, conditional approval or denial, staff will mail an informational notice to all properties and record owners of properties within a 300-foot radius from the project site.

How to Submit an Application

Application submittals for both new facilities and expansions of existing facilities will be accepted via a pre-scheduled appointment with the Planner of the Day. To request an appointment, please email Planning@antiochca.gov and the Planner of the Day will follow up to schedule.

 Applicants should utilize the Wireless Application form to apply. However, applicants/agents should be aware that their submittals will undergo an initial completeness review before payment is accepted.  Once payment is accepted and all submittal items have been received, the shot clock will commence.

Wireless Application

Appeal Rights

Pursuant to § 9-5.2509 “Appeals” Any decision made by the Planning Commission which would otherwise constitute final approval or denial may be appealed to the Council. Such appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the City Clerk within five working days after the decision.

Application Withdrawal

Pursuant to Antioch Municipal Code § 9-5.3847 “Withdrawals of Planning Applications,” Planning applications are automatically withdrawn 120 calendar days from the date of the incomplete letter if revisions are not submitted to the Planning Division.

Extensions

The Zoning Administrator may grant a written extension for up to an additional 90 calendar days when good cause for an extension is demonstrated. Delays due to circumstances outside the applicant’s reasonable control will be considered good cause to grant the extension.

For more specific questions, please contact the Planning Division at planning@antiochca.gov.

Menu See Click Fix