23.57.013

A. Permitted uses. Minor communication utilities and accessory communication devices are permitted outright when meeting development standards of the zone in which the site is located, except for height limits, and subsection 23.57.013.B. B. Development standards 1. Access to transmitting minor communication utilities and accessory communication devices shall be restricted to authorized personnel when located on rooftops or other common areas. Warning signs at every point of access to the rooftop or common area shall be posted with information on the existence of radiofrequency radiation. 2. Height a. Except for special review, historic, and landmark districts (see Section 23.57.014 ), minor communication utilities and accessory communication devices may be located on rooftops of buildings, including sides of parapets and equipment penthouses above the roofline, as follows: 1) Those utilities and devices located on a rooftop of a building nonconforming as to height may extend up to 15 feet above the height of the building existing as of November 1, 2002; 2) Those utilities and devices located on a rooftop may extend up to 15 feet above the applicable height limit or above the highest portion of the building, whichever is less. The additional height permitted in subsections 23.57.013.B.2.a.1 and 23.57.013.B.2.a.2 is permitted if the combined total of communication utilities and accessory communication devices in addition to the roof area occupied by rooftop features listed in subsection 23.49.008.D.2, does not exceed 35 percent of the total rooftop area. b. The height of minor communications utilities and accompanying screening may be further increased as a Type I decision, not to exceed 10 percent of the applicable height limit for the structure. 3. Visual Impacts. All minor communication utilities and accessory communication devices, except for facilities located on buildings designated by the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board, facilities governed by Section 23.57.014 , and amateur radio towers, shall meet the standards set forth in Section 23.57.016 . 4. Antennas may be located on rooftops of buildings, including sides of parapets above the roofline. Rooftop space within the following parameters do not count toward meeting open space requirements: the area 8 feet away from and in front of a directional antenna and at least 2 feet from the back of a directional antenna, or, for an omnidirectional antenna, 8 feet away from the antenna in all directions. Public Health—Seattle & King County may require a greater distance for paging facilities after review of the Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation (NIER) report. C. Reception Window Obstruction. When, in the case of an accessory communications device or minor communications utility that would otherwise comply with this section, the strict adherence to all development standards would result in reception window obstruction in all permissible locations on the subject lot, the Director may grant a waiver from the development standards of this section and Section 23.57.016 , subject to the following criteria: 1. The applicant shall demonstrate that the obstruction is due to factors beyond the control of the property owner, taking into account potential permitted development on adjacent and neighboring lots with regard to future reception-window obstruction. 2. The applicant shall use material, shape and color to minimize visual impact. (Ord. 125429 , § 14, 2017; Ord. 123668, § 1, 2011; Ord. 123649, § 46, 2011; Ord. 122054, § 79, 2006; Ord. 120928, § 34, 2002; Ord. 116295 , § 25, 1992.)