Application process.
Meridian Code of Ordinances § 16-203
in effectSec. 16-203. - Application process.
The application process for locations within the city follows herein. Applications for locations on right-of-way or private property, including, but not limited to, additions to existing structures on private property, are required to be reviewed by the director of planning or his/her designee subject additionally to the city's zoning ordinance (for new support structures), building code and construction permitting processes. The director and his/her staff may also rely on a review by other departments as deemed necessary.
(a) At a minimum, each application for a permit shall contain the following:
(1) Drawings stamped by a licensed engineer depicting the type of facilities, support structure, and means and points at which such facilities and associated accessory equipment will be attached to a support structure;
(2) Map(s) designating with specificity the location(s) of the requested facilities and all other existing or proposed locations of the applicant within one thousand (1,000) feet;
(3) The geographic coordinates of all antenna and other proposed facilities of the applicant within one thousand (1,000) feet;
(4) If the facilities will be located on the right-of-way on a support structure that is owned by any entity other than the city or the applicant, a copy of any license, lease, agreement, letter or other documentation evidencing that the owner of that support structure authorizes the facilities to be attached thereto or agrees in principle to authorize that attachment; provided that, if a representation is made to the city that the attachment has been authorized in principle by the owner of the support structure but the applicant subsequently fails to furnish the city documentation that finalizes any such agreement, the city may refuse to issue the requested permit until that documentation is provided, or, if the city issues the requested permit before receiving such final documentation, the subject permit may be revoked and any license to use that part of the right-of-way be rescinded.
(5) If the applicant requests permission to place facilities on a new support structure, other requirements contained in this article shall be met.
(6) Photo-simulated post-construction renderings depicting the proposed facilities and equipment, including any/all equipment cabinets, ancillary structures, coloration, and landscaping.
(b) An application shall not be deemed complete until the applicant has submitted all documents, information and forms specifically enumerated in this article that pertain to the location, construction, or configuration of the facilities or support structures at the requested location(s). Within ten (10) calendar days after an application for permit is submitted, the city shall notify the applicant in writing if any additional information is needed to complete that application or supplemental information is required to process the request. Once the completed application is submitted, the director shall make the final decision to approve or deny a complete application within sixty (60) days. Applications for a new support structure requiring a conditional use permit from the director shall be approved or denied within ninety (90) days of the submission of the completed application.
(c) Additional requirements. Any provider or applicant to whom a permit is issued and who places facilities and associated support structures on the right-of-way shall comply with the following requirements so long as those facilities and support structures are on or under the right-of-way:
(1) Prior to installing the facilities or support structures, the applicant shall provide the city a certificate(s) of insurance, or of self-insurance, evidencing that it has obtained and will maintain the following types of insurance in connection with its operations on or use of the right-of-way:
a. Commercial general liability coverage insuring the risk of claims for damages to persons or property arising from or related to the installation, construction, maintenance, operation or any use of facility or support structure placed on or along the right-of-way by the applicant with minimum limits of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence and two million dollars ($2,000,000.00) aggregate; and
b. Workers compensation insurance as required by statute. The required general liability coverage shall include the city as an additional insured as its interest may appear under this article. All required insurance policies shall be furnished by insurers who are eligible to transact business in the State of Mississippi and are rated at least A-VII by AM Best. Following initial installation, if any changes in coverage occur, the applicant shall furnish the city a new certificate indicating that the above-noted coverage remains and will remain in effect. In lieu of the insurance requirements above, an applicant may provide a certificate of self-insurance sufficient to satisfy the above amounts.
c. Applicant shall require any contractors and subcontractors to obtain and maintain substantially the same insurance with substantially the same limits as required of applicant, including the city as an additional insured as its interest may appear under this article, and providing to the city a certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage.
(2) Permits for the construction of new facilities or the placement of collocated equipment shall be good for twelve (12) months following issuance of the permit. If construction or installation are not completed in that amount of time, the permit will terminate, and the applicant must remove any partially installed equipment. The city may take applications for the same or nearby locations and hold them in standby until it is known whether full installation/construction on an active permit is completed. If/when construction or installation is underway but delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, including, but not limited to the lack of available commercial power or communication facilities to the site, the city may consider a request for a six-month extension to a permit. Permit fees shall be non-refundable.
(3) All facilities and associated support structures shall be installed, erected, maintained and operated in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, regulations of the FCC.
(4) Following the installation of any facilities and associated support structures, the provider or applicant, upon reasonable request and for good cause, shall furnish the director a written certification from a licensed professional engineer in the State of Mississippi stating that those structures have been inspected and are being maintained, operated and used in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including those of the FCC that pertain to the transmission of wireless communication signals. For purposes of this provision, "good cause" shall mean circumstances have arisen that indicate the facilities and associated support structures have been damaged, are not functioning in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, or otherwise pose a hazard to the public. If those support structures should fail at any time to comply with applicable laws and regulations, the provider or applicant, at either of their expense, shall cause those structures to be brought into compliance with said laws and regulations within thirty (30) days of the date of any written notice to them from the director of noncompliance, or cease all personal wireless service operations related to those structures until the applicant or provider comes into full compliance with said laws and regulations. If within ninety (90) days of the date of written notice of noncompliance the applicant has not brought the structure into compliance, the city may remove said structures from the right-of-way in accordance with subsections 16-205(1), (2), and (3).
(5) The facilities and associated support structures must be maintained in good and safe condition.
(6) Each applicant or provider that applies for a permit to place facilities (including the accessory equipment) and support structures on the right-of-way and installs and utilizes those structures shall defend, indemnify and hold the city and its employees or officials, harmless from all demands, losses, expenses (including attorney's fees and court costs), claims for personal injury or property damage, judgments or liabilities of any type that may be asserted or claimed against the city (or its employees or officials) by any third person, firm or entity that arise out of or relate in any manner to the following:
a. The installation, construction, maintenance, location, use or operation of the permitted facilities, accessory equipment or any support structure on or about the right-of-way; and/or
b. The failure of the provider or applicant to perform any of their respective responsibilities, obligations and permit requirements in this article.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provider or applicant shall not be obligated to indemnify the city for city claims resulting from the negligence or willful acts of the city (or its representatives).
(7) Franchise agreements for other uses of right-of-way. This article regulates the placement of DAS and/or small cell technology facilities (and associated accessory equipment) on or in the immediate vicinity of support structures that are located or proposed to be located on the right-of-way or private property. No provision of this article is intended to permit, regulate or authorize the placement by a provider or applicant of fiber optic lines, coaxial cable, switches, pedestals or networking equipment of any type that is used to transport telecommunication signals, data or messages between support structures or between any other points on the right-of-way. In the event any such provider or applicant desires to place telecommunications equipment or facilities along the right-of-way at points not regulated by this article, the city may enter into franchise or similar agreement that authorizes, governs and applies to such use of other locations on or along the right-of-way.
(Ord. No. 4526, § 3, 10-1-19)
Source: City of Meridian, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/meridian/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH16OFMIPR_ARTXISMCETEFA_S16-203APPRFetched: 11/1/2026