Dimensional standards
Lot
Extracted standards
23 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Stealthing or camouflaging
Where reasonably practicable and appropriate, as determined by the zoning administrator using recognized standards, antennas attached to towers, monopoles, and other supporting structures shall be constructed in a manner as to reduce their visual impact. This goal shall be achieved through screening or applied stealthing or camouflaging methods.
Height
- Replacement pole maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.125 ft
Existing light poles and stanchions may be replaced to allow for collocation of antennas and such replacement structures may be increased in height up to an overall height not to exceed 125 feet over grade.
The maximum height of a small cell facility, including antenna, shall not exceed the maximum permitted height of a by-right principal use of the underlying zoning district.
- Maximum tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.125 ft
Towers and monopoles may exceed the maximum permitted building height, but shall not exceed a maximum overall height of 125 feet over grade.
Lighting
- Lighting restrictions on towers
No signals, lights or illumination shall be permitted on a tower or monopole unless required by the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Aviation Administration or the town, provided, however, that on all antenna structures which exceed 100 feet in height, a steady red marker light shall be installed and operated at all times, unless the zoning administrator waives the red marker light requirement upon a determination by the Fairfax County Police Department that such marker light is not necessary for flight safety requirements for police and emergency helicopter operations. All such lights shall be shielded to prevent the downward transmission of light.
Other
- Architectural review outside historic districtHistoric districtAn area where exterior changes need design review to protect its character.
Small cell facilities outside of the historic district overlay must receive approval by the architectural review board unless the following conditions are met: ...
- Dish antenna maximum diameter3 ft
Dish style antennas attached to towers, monopoles, and other supporting structures shall not exceed three feet in diameter.
- Equipment cabinet maximum area500 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Related non-staffed equipment cabinets or structures for each telecommunications provider shall not exceed 12 feet in height or a total of 500 square feet in gross floor area per telecommunications provider.
- Equipment cabinet maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.12 ft
Related non-staffed equipment cabinets or structures for each telecommunications provider shall not exceed 12 feet in height or a total of 500 square feet in gross floor area per telecommunications provider.
- Equipment screening
All equipment shall be screened in accordance with section 78-114.
- Special exception required for freestanding towers
Freestanding communication towers and monopoles shall be permitted in conjunction with non-staffed equipment cabinets or structures by special exception within all zoning districts and within planned developments.
- Certificate of appropriateness in historic districtHistoric districtAn area where exterior changes need design review to protect its character.
A certificate of appropriateness must be obtained from the historic district review board unless all of the following conditions are met: ...
- Panel antenna maximum size108 in
Panel style antennas attached to towers, monopoles, or other supporting structures shall not exceed 108 inches in height and 24 inches in width.
- Minimum lot areaMinimum lot areaThe smallest parcel on which the district allows anything to be built. for towers in residential districts50,000 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Within all residential zoning districts, towers and monopoles shall be located on parcels of no less than 50,000 square feet in total area.
- Minimum lot size for small cell facilities43,560 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Within all zoning districts, a minimum lot size of one acre is required.
- Removal of small cell equipment120 days
All antennas and related equipment, to include ground-mounted equipment, must be removed within 120 days after such antennas or related equipment are no longer in use.
- Wiring, cables, and conduit
All wiring, cables, and conduits must be located in a fully enclosed structure or match the color of the utility or distribution transmission pole.
- Structural proof for modifications
If any additions, changes or modifications are to be made to monopoles or towers, the building official shall have the authority to require proof, through the submission of engineering and structural data, that the addition, change, or modifications conforms to structural wind load and all other requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
- Tower material and color
Except for antennas completely enclosed within a structure, all antennas and their supporting mounts shall be of a material or color that closely matches and blends with the structure on which it is mounted.
- Removal of antennas within 120 days120 days
All antennas and related equipment cabinets or structures shall be removed within 120 days after such antennas or related equipment cabinets or structures are no longer in use.
Setback
- Small cell facilities comply with underlying setbacksSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.
Small cell facilities, including ground-mounted equipment, must comply with the minimum setback provisions of the underlying zoning district.
- Tower setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from abutting lot lines1 ft per ft of heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.
Such structures shall be placed at a distance of no less than one foot for every foot of height from abutting lot lines in residential zoning districts.
Signage
- No commercial advertising on towers
No commercial advertising or signs shall be allowed on any monopole, tower, antenna, antenna support structure, or related equipment cabinet or structure.
From the ordinance
All uses shall comply with all applicable standards in this chapter, including Article XIII, Performance Standards. In addition, the following standards shall apply: ...