This bill amends existing laws regarding the collocation of wireless communications equipment, specifically streamlining the application process by requiring that such applications be reviewed and approved by an administrative officer rather than undergoing site plan or land use board review. The bill stipulates that the administrative officer must issue or deny a zoning permit within 30 business days of receiving a request for collocation, and if no decision is made within that timeframe, the application is automatically approved. Furthermore, once a zoning permit is granted for collocation, it must be accepted for all related applications, including those for building or electrical permits under the State Uniform Construction Code Act.

Additionally, the bill revises the criteria for approving collocation applications. It allows for greater increases in the height and width of wireless communications support structures, with specific limits depending on whether the structure is located in a public right-of-way. The maximum increase in height is set to either 10 percent of the original height or the height of one additional antenna array (up to 20 feet), while the width can increase by 20 feet or the width of the original structure at the level of the expansion, with a limit of six feet for structures in public rights-of-way. The bill also modifies the restrictions on the expansion of existing equipment compounds, allowing for a maximum increase of 30 feet in any direction instead of a square footage limit. These changes aim to facilitate the deployment of wireless communications infrastructure while maintaining regulatory oversight.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 40:55D-46.2