(A) 
These regulations apply to all commercial and private antennae and support structures, unless exempted in Subsections (B), (C), and (D) below.
(B) 
Direct broadcast satellite reception, multi-channel multi-point distribution (as defined by the FCC), television reception antennae, and private radio antennae meeting the following requirements do not require a permit unless mounted on a pole or mast that is twenty feet or more in height:
(1) 
In any zoning district, antennae that are thirty-nine inches or less in diameter;
(2) 
In a nonresidential zoning district, antennae that are two meters or less in diameter;
(3) 
In any zoning district, antennae designed to only receive television or internet broadcasts;
(4) 
In any zoning district, private radio antennae concealed behind or located upon or within attics, eaves, gutters or roofing components of the building; and
(5) 
In any zoning district, private radio ground-mounted whips and wire antennae, unless mounted upon a pole or mast over twenty feet in height.
(C) 
Antennas mounted on existing City elevated water storage tanks are exempt from the requirements of this Division 5, provided a license or lease authorizing the antenna(s) has been approved by the City. All other antennae or towers, located on property owned, leased or otherwise controlled by the City of Garland are subject to the requirements herein.
(D) 
Antennas and antenna support structures used in licensed amateur communications are regulated under Division 6 of this Article 5, and are exempt from the requirements of this Division 5.
(E) 
Support structures or antennae legally installed before the effective date of this Division 5 are not required to comply with this Division 5, but must meet all applicable state, federal and local requirements, building codes, and safety standards.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
Definitions for telecommunications-related terms are located in Chapter 6 of this GDC.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
(A) 
Residential Zoning Districts.
In all residential zoning districts, commercial antennae and their support structures are allowed only by Specific Use Provision and must meet the following minimum standards:
(1) 
Utility Structures.
A commercial antenna within a residential zoning district may be attached to a utility structure (such as an electrical transmission or distribution tower, or an elevated water storage tank) provided that the utility structure exceeds fifty feet in height, and provided that the antenna does not extend more than ten feet above the height of the utility structure;
(2) 
Stealth.
A commercial antenna may be located within a residential zoning district if it is placed wholly within any building allowed in the residential zoning district. A commercial antenna may also be mounted flush to the exterior of a building or structure if it is painted or disguised to integrate into the overall architectural design, if it does not have any type of exterior non-vertical array, and if it is not readily identifiable as an antenna from public roadways or from neighboring residential properties; and
(3) 
SUP.
All other regulations and conditions required by the SUP.
(B) 
Nonresidential and Mixed-Use Districts.
In nonresidential and mixed-use zoning districts, commercial antennae and antenna support structures are allowed only by Specific Use Provision and must meet the following minimum standards:
(1) 
Support Structures.
Commercial antenna support structures are allowed if they do not exceed eighty-five (85) feet in height and conform in all other aspects to local, state, and federal law. Support structures in excess of the eighty-five (85) [feet] in height may only be allowed by an express condition of the Specific Use Provision (SUP) provided the structure conforms in all other aspects to local, state, and federal law. In all nonresidential zoning districts, antenna support structures must meet all setback requirements. A site with a previously issued SUP and currently active commercial antenna shall not require a new SUP unless the height or footprint of the antenna support structure has changed;
(2) 
Utility Structures.
A commercial antenna may be attached to a utility structure (such as an electrical transmission or distribution tower, elevated water storage tank, or highway light fixtures) provided that the utility structure exceeds fifty feet in height, and provided that the antenna does not extend more than ten feet above the height of the utility structure;
(3) 
Stealth.
A commercial antenna may be placed wholly within any building allowed in the zoning district. A commercial antenna may also be mounted on an accessory utility structure, light standard or flagpole, or flush to the exterior of a building or structure if it is painted or disguised to integrate into the overall architectural design of the supporting structure, if it does not have any type of exterior non-vertical array, and if it is not readily identifiable as an antenna from public roadways or from neighboring residential properties; and
(4) 
SUP.
All other regulations and conditions required by the SUP.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15; Ordinance 7107, sec. 31, adopted 12/3/19; Ordinance 7323 adopted 5/3/22; Ordinance 7576 adopted 3/18/2025)
(A) 
Antennae and support structures may be considered either principal or accessory uses.
(B) 
In residential zoning districts, the setback from any property line for antennae and support structure is one foot for every one foot in height of the antennae.
(C) 
No commercial antenna support structure may be closer to any residential district boundary line or the residential dwelling property line than a distance equal to three times the height of the support structure. The setback distance shall be measured as the shortest possible distance in a straight line from the structure to the closest point of a residential district boundary line or residential dwelling. Setbacks from residentially zoned property do not apply to antennae attached to utility structures that exceed fifty feet in height, or to antennae placed wholly within, or mounted upon, a building.
(D) 
No private or commercial antenna, antenna support structure, microwave reflector or antenna, or associated foundations or support wires or appurtenances may be located within any required setback area for the front, side, or rear yards.
(E) 
All antennae and support structures must meet or exceed the current standards and regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and all other applicable federal, state and local regulations and requirements. If those standards change, then the owner of an antenna or support structure must bring the antenna or structure into compliance within one hundred and eighty calendar days, or as may otherwise be required by the applicable regulating authority.
(F) 
A Building Permit is required to erect or install an antenna, antenna support structure and related structures or equipment, unless the antenna is exempt from these regulations (see Subsection 2.62(B) above). All installations must comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and the standards published by the Electronics Industry Alliance (EIA).
(G) 
Antennae (private or commercial) may not create electromagnetic or other interference with any government agency’s radio frequencies and public safety operations, as required by the FCC. Antennae also may not interfere with radio or television reception of nearby property owners. The use of such equipment may not infringe upon adjoining property owners.
(H) 
No antenna or support structure may be located so as to create a visual obstruction within critical visibility areas (such as, at street intersections, or where a private driveway enters a roadway) or a traffic safety problem.
(I) 
Safeguards must be utilized to prevent unauthorized access to an antenna installation (such as, on an elevated water storage tank or utility structure, or a freestanding installation). Safeguards include certain devices identified or recommended by the manufacturer of the antenna or support structure, a fence, a climbing guard, or other commercially available safety device. Climbing spikes or other similar climbing device, if utilized, must be removed immediately following use.
(J) 
Temporary antennae are only allowed in the following instances:
(1) 
In conjunction with, and used for, a festival, carnival, rodeo, or other special event or activity;
(2) 
In case of an emergency (such as severe weather) or a news coverage event; or
(3) 
When needed to restore service on a temporary basis after failure of an antenna installation. The City must be notified within seventy-two hours of the placement of a temporary antenna. If the temporary antenna is to be needed for more than seven days, then the owner must apply for and acquire a permit for the temporary installation on or before the eighth day following initial placement of the antenna.
(K) 
Collocation is required.
(1) 
New support structures over fifty feet in height must be constructed to support antennae for at least two carriers, unless the structure is an alternative or stealth design, or the support structure is replacing an existing utility structure or light standard. Sufficient area for associated structures and equipment must also be provided.
(2) 
A support structure which is modified or reconstructed in order to accommodate collocation must be of the same type, design, and height as the existing structure, and it may be moved on the same property within fifty feet of its original location provided that it is not moved any closer to residentially zoned property (if the structure was allowed by SUP, then its new location must be within the physical/land boundaries of the SUP). The original support structure must be removed from the property within ninety days following completion of the new structure.
(3) 
Where an additional antenna is to be attached to an existing support structure that already has an antenna mounted upon it, the new antenna must comply with and be compatible with the design of the existing antenna on the collocated structure.
(4) 
An existing antenna or support structure is allowed to increase its height up to twenty percent in order to encourage and accommodate collocation.
(L) 
Support buildings and storage areas or buildings must be screened from public view if mounted on a rooftop. When ground-mounted, they must meet all applicable front, side, and rear yard setback requirements of the applicable base zoning district. They must also be of a neutral color. Support buildings and storage areas or buildings must be screened from public view by a dense, opaque, evergreen landscaped screen with an initial planting height of three feet, and which will attain an ultimate height of six feet at maturity. A six-foot solid masonry wall may be used in lieu of the landscaped screen provided exterior finish materials are compatible with nearby structures. The use of a wood fence for screening is prohibited, and ornamental iron or coated chain-link may only be used in conjunction with a landscaped screen as specified above.
(M) 
Satellite dishes and other similar antennae are allowed on the roof of a building, as long as satellite dishes do not exceed one meter in diameter and antennae do not extend over ten feet above the roof of the building. A letter certifying the structural integrity of the roof and building will support the proposed satellite dish or antennae must be written and sealed by a licensed architect or engineer, and submitted to the Building Inspection Department prior to any approval of a roof-mounted antenna. Roof-mounted antennae that comply with the provisions of these regulations do not require additional yard setbacks or setbacks from residential areas or dwellings.
(N) 
Only one private antenna or support structure is allowed per residential lot. However, a maximum of two satellite dishes are allowed if each unit is no larger than one meter in diameter.
(O) 
All commercial signs, flags, lights, and attachments other than those required for emergency identification, communications operations, structural stability, or as required for flight visibility by the FAA or FCC are prohibited on any antenna or antenna support structure. However, lights may remain or be placed upon light standards that are altered or replaced in order for them to serve as antenna support structures provided that the lights are not commercial (that is, for-profit) in nature, and are the same size, configuration, number of bulbs, and degree of luminance as they previously existed prior to support structure modification or replacement.
(P) 
Any publicly owned antennae or antenna support structures is allowed in any zoning district (such as public safety communications).
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15; Ordinance 7576 adopted 3/18/2025)