Article 20, Sections 20-6, 20-9, 20-12
Dimensional standards
Height & bulk
- Minimum landscaping
- 4%
Servicing
- Geographic extent
- Applies to all areas of unincorporated Nelson County
Uses
Permitted by right1
Conditional / special use3
Extracted standards
28 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Maximum number of antenna arrays3 count
the total number of arrays of antennas attached to the existing structure shall not exceed three (3)
- Maximum antenna projection from structure12 in
no case shall any point on the face of an antenna project more than twelve (12) inches from the existing structure
- Maximum antenna size1,152 sqin
each antenna shall not exceed one thousand one hundred fifty-two (1,152) square inches
- Maximum antennas per array3 count
each array shall contain no more than three (3) antennas
- Maximum attachment pole diameter3 in
An attachment pole (i) shall not exceed three (3) inches in diameter
- Maximum attachment pole heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. above structure (Class A)20 ft
the total height of which, together with a grounding rod, shall not exceed twenty (20) feet above the top of the structure
- Maximum freestanding monopole heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. (Class A)40 ft
the placement of a freestanding monopole forty (40) feet or less in height
- Maximum ground equipment shelterShelterTemporary accommodation for people without housing, usually with support services. area (Class A)150 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
a self-contained ground equipment shelter not exceeding one hundred fifty (150) square feet
- Maximum monopole base diameter30 in
Shall not exceed a maximum base diameter of thirty (30) inches
- Maximum monopole top diameter18 in
a maximum diameter at the top of eighteen (18) inches
- Maximum whip antenna diameter6 in
a whip antenna less than six (6) inches in diameter
Fencing & walls
- Minimum security fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft
Towers shall be enclosed by security fencing no less than eight (8) feet in height
Landscaping & trees
- Minimum landscaping buffer width4 ft
The standard buffer shall consist of a landscaped strip at least four (4) feet wide outside the perimeter of the facilities.
Lighting
- Lighting restrictions
The communication tower shall be unlit unless required by a federal agency. A light installed on an equipment cabinet shall be no more than one (1) foot above the top of the cabinet.
Other
- Balloon test required for Class C
For any proposed tower requiring a Class C Communication Tower Permit, a balloon test shall be conducted
- Co-location required
Applicants for new communication tower permits must agree to allow additional permitted uses of the tower by future applicants
- Notification to DHR/BRP/AT required
No application for a communication tower permit to be located within the viewshed of the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Appalachian National Scenic Trail shall be considered a Complete Application without first notifying the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, the BRP Superintendent, and/or the AT Superintendent
- Fall area for lattice tower (percent of tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.)125 pct
lattice tower—one hundred twenty-five (125) percent of tower height
- Fall area for metal monopole (percent of tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.)110 pct
metal monopole—one hundred ten (110) percent of tower height
- Fall area for temporary tower (percent of tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.)150 pct
The minimum distance from the base of a Temporary Tower to the property line(s) shall be a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) percent of the Temporary Tower height.
- Fall area for wood pole (percent of tower heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.)100 pct
wood poles—one hundred (100) percent of tower height
- Maximum completion time12 months
construction of Class B and C tower structures shall be completed within one (1) year of the date of issuance of the permit
- Maximum slope ratio2 ratio
No slopes associated with the installation of the facility and accessory uses shall be created that are steeper than 2:1
- Minimum general liability insurance1,000,000 usd
a current Certificate of Insurance for general liability insurance for a minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence
- Removal time after discontinuation90 days
The facility shall be disassembled and removed from the site within ninety (90) days of the date its use for wireless communication purposes is discontinued.
Setback
- Minimum setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from Blue Ridge Parkway or Appalachian Trail1,320 ft
No communication tower shall be located within one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet of the nearest boundary of the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
- Minimum setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from Virginia Scenic Byway120 ft
No communication tower shall be located within one hundred twenty (120) feet of any Virginia Scenic Byway.
Signage
- Maximum identification sign area6 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
A sign measuring six (6) square feet or less
From the ordinance
Class A personal wireless service facilities are permitted as a by-right use in all zoning districts. No communication tower shall be located within 120 feet of any Virginia Scenic Byway or within 1,320 feet of the Blue Ridge Parkway or Appalachian Trail.