Wireless Communications Facilities
Effective January 1, 2024
The Board of County Commissioners adopted the Wireless Communication Facilities ordinance, Ordinance #16311, which now applies to all wireless communication facilities in the rural county and urban growth areas.
The wireless code establishes the permitting process for numerous types of wireless facilities, the criteria for approval, and the design guidelines for each type of facility. The wireless code update was required to comply with the Federal Telecommunications Act and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has adopted multiple orders over the years that impose new and restrictive conditions on local control. The updated code allows the County to preserve the ability to assert the remaining authority in reviewing wireless facilities.
Look up proposed and completed permits through our online permit tracking system.
Types of Facilities
| Antenna | Exterior transmitting or receiving device mounted on a tower, building or structure and used in communications that radiates or captures electromagnetic waves, digital signals, analog signals, radio frequencies (excluding radar signals), wireless telecommunications service signals or other communication signals. | Administrative Special Use |
| Collocation or attached to existing structure | Small wireless facilities and other WCFs mounted or installed on an antenna facility on a preexisting structure. | Administrative Special Use |
| Guy Tower (New) | Tower supported by guy wires and are designed with the ability to carry light to heavy antenna loads. A guy tower with antenna attachments generally does not have the structural capacity to stand unsupported and requires guy lines to resist lateral forces such as wind loads and keep it upright. | Special Use Permit (Hearing Examiner) * |
| Lattice Tower (New) | Structure that is self-supporting with multiple legs and cross bracing of structural steel. | Special Use Permit (Hearing Examiner) * |
| Monopole (New) | Structure that is self-supporting with a single shaft of wood, steel or concrete. | Special Use Permit (Hearing Examiner) * |
Footnotes:
- New tower facilities located in Industrial and commercial zoning districts will be reviewed as administrative special uses. See ordinance for additional exceptions.
Administrative Special Use Permit
Administrative Special Use Permits are reviewed under the Type 1 procedure. A Type I process involves an application that is subject to clear, objective and nondiscretionary standards or standards that require the exercise of professional judgment about technical issues, and that is exempt from State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. This means that staff is the review authority, and the review time is based on the time designated by the facility type proposal. There is no public comment opportunity with these permits.
Hearing Examiner Special Use Permit
Hearing Examiner Special Use Permits are reviewed under the Type III procedure. A Type III process involves an application that is subject to standards which require the exercise of substantial discretion and about which there may be a broad public interest. This means that the approval authority is the Hearing Examiner, and the review time is based on the time designated by the facility type. There is public notification and a pubic hearing with the Hearing Examiner.
If you have questions on the wireless communication ordinance or on existing proposal, please email the current planners.