SMALL CELL/NETWORK NODES

OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

For small cell/network nodes outside of the public right-of-way (i.e. on private property) please refer to the Permissible Use Charts contained in Article 04, Permissible Uses, of the Unified Development Code (UDC) for the regulations pertaining to Commercial Freestanding Antenna and Mounted Commercial Antenna.  Depending on the scope of work, the small cell/network node may require the approval of a site plan or may be simply facilitated through a building permit.  For information concerning a particular project for a small cell/network nodes outside of the public right-of-way please contact Planning and Zoning Department staff at (972) 771-7745, email us at planning@rockwall.com.

INSIDE OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY

For small cell/network nodes inside of public right-of-way, Chapter 284, Deployment of Network Nodes in Public Right-of-Way, of the Texas Local Government Code grants providers four (4) options: 

• Utility Poles. A utility pole is a pole that provides electric distribution with a voltage rating of not more than 34.5 kilovolts or provides services of a telecommunications provider.

• Transport Facility. A transport facility is the transmission path that is physically located within a public right-of-way, that extends with a physical line from a network node directly to the network, and which provides backhaul for network nodes. 

• Service Pole. A service support pole is a pole that is owned and operated by a municipality and located within public right-of-way.  These include poles that support traffic lights, signage, lighting, or similar structures owned and/or operated by a municipality that can be used to support a network node.

• Node Support Pole. A node support pole is a pole installed by a network provider for the primary purpose of supporting a network node. 

The information provided under the Application, Checklists, and Process section outlines the requirements for requesting a small cell/network node inside of public right-of-way, and the City's review and approval process.

LOCATIONS AND MAPS

To assist providers and contractors in the site selection process, the City of Rockwall has created a map that shows the locations of all requested, issued, and approved small cell/network nodes in the City, and is currently developing a map of potential locations identified by the City where small cell/network nodes could be acceptable.  It should be noted that the City's map of potential locations is not a comprehensive list of all locations where these types of facilities would be appropriate.  Rather these locations have already been vetted by the City and deemed to be appropriate; however, these locations will still need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure the type of facility being proposed is appropriate.

Please note that the installation of a small cell/network node cannot occur in public right-of-way that is located within a Design Districts, residential area, or municipal park without the express written consent of the City of Rockwall.  In addition, small cell/network nodes must be spaced a minimum of 300-feet apart.  For additional locational criteria please refer to the City's Design Manual.

MAPS

• MAP OF REQUESTED, ISSUED AND APPROVED SMALL CELL/NETWORK NODES

APPLICATION, CHECKLISTS, AND PROCESS

A complete application for a utility pole, transport facility, service pole or node support pole consists of the following information:

• Building Permit Application

• Application Fee (See Below)

• Small Cell/Network Node Checklist

• Dimensioned Construction and Engineering Drawings

• Photo Simulation/Rendering of the Small Cell/Network Node and Pole

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data (See Below)

• Right-Of-Way Permit (Needs to be Submitted Prior to the Issuance of a Building Permit)

NOTES:  [1] Incomplete applications shall not be accepted; [2] For applicant's looking to collocate small cell/network nodes, an application for up to 30 small cell/network nodes maybe filed; however, it can only contain one type of installation in the public right-of-way.

APPLICATION FEES

The application fee for a small cell/network node permit in public right-of-way shall be as follows:

• Small Cell/Network Nodes:

  • Applications with 5 or Less Nodes: $500.00

  • Applications with 6-30 Nodes: $500.00 + $250.00 Each Additional Node Between 6-30.

• Utility Poles [Not Municipally Owned]: $250.00 Annual Fee

• Transport Facility: $336.00 Annual Fee

• Service Poles [Municipally Owned]: $250.00 Annual Fee/Node and $20.00 Annual Fee/Pole

• Node Support Pole: $1,000.00 Application Fee and $250.00 Annual Fee/Pole

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) DATA

As part of the application process the City of Rockwall's GIS Division requires applicants submit data associated with the proposed pole and/or network node.  This data will need to be submitted on physical media (i.e. thumb-drive or CD) at the time of application submittal, and be in an acceptable format (i.e. .shp, .gdb, .csv, or .xls).  The following information is required:

SCHEMA

XCOORD Double (Easting)

YCOORD Double (Northing)

ZELEV Double -- in feet -- (Base Height)

P_HEIGHT Double -- in feet -- (Pole Height)

P_COLOR Text

P_TYPE Pole Type or Mount Type

PROVIDER Text (Main Provider -- Not Contractor or Consultant)

LIGHT Yes or No

NOTE: All information needs to be in Lambert Conformal Conic Projection: Datam NAD 1983, State Plane Coordinates Texas North Central Zone - FIPS 4202-Feet; Unit: Foot - US

PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS

A complete application providing the necessary materials listed above shall be submitted to the Building Inspections Department.  Comments from the City's development services departments will be returned to the applicant no later than 30-days of receiving the submitted application (ten [10] days for transport facilities) .  If the location is in violation of the locational criteria outlined by the City and State's requirements, the application will be denied.  In accordance with Chapter 284, Deployment of Network Nodes in Public Right-of-Way, of the Texas Local Government Code, the applicant may correct any deficiencies identified in the denial documentation and resubmit the application without paying an additional application fee.