Definitions.

Richmond, Va., City Code § 30-692.1:1

in effect

Sec. 30-692.1:1. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Administrative review-eligible project means a project that provides for: (1) The installation or construction of a new structure that is not more than 50 feet above ground level, provided that the structure with attached wireless facilities is not more than ten feet above the tallest existing utility pole located within 500 feet of the new structure within the same public right-of-way or within that existing line of utility poles; not located within the boundaries of a local, State or Federal historic district; not located inside the jurisdictional boundaries of a locality having expended a total amount equal to or greater than 35 percent of its general fund operating revenue, as shown in the most recent comprehensive annual financial report, on undergrounding projects since 1980; and designed to support small cell facilities; or (2) The co-location on any alternative support structure of a wireless facility that is not a small cell facility. Alternative support structure means any structure that is installed or approved for installation at the time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider provides notice to the City of an agreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate equipment on that structure. The term "alternative support structure" includes any structure that is currently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the attachment of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles, light poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers. Antenna means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless communications services. Base station means a station that includes a structure that currently supports or houses an antenna, transceiver, coaxial cables, power cables, or other associated equipment at a specific site that is authorized to communicate with mobile stations, generally consisting of radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial cables, power supplies, and other associated electronics. Co-locate means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a wireless facility on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station, building, alternative support structure, utility pole, or wireless support structure. The term "co-location" has a corresponding meaning. Director means the Director of Planning and Development Review or the designee thereof. Micro-wireless facility means a small cell facility that is not larger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches in height and that has an exterior antenna, if any, not longer than 11 inches. New structure means a freestanding wireless support structure, as opposed to a co-located wireless facility, that has not been installed or constructed, or approved for installation or construction, at the time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider applies to a locality for any required zoning approval. Project means: (1) The installation or construction by a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider of a new structure; or (2) The co-location on any alternative support structure of a wireless facility that is not a small cell facility. The term "project" does not include the installation of a small cell facility by a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider on an alternative support structure to which the provisions of Section 30-692.7 apply. Small cell facility means a wireless facility that meets both of the following qualifications: (1) Each antenna is located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet; and (2) All other wireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal Communications Commission. The following types of associated equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment, telecommunications demarcation boxes, back-up power systems, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services. Small cell facility co-location permit means a permit authorizing a wireless service provider or wireless infrastructure provider to co-locate a small cell facility on an alternative support structure. Standard process project means any project other than an administrative review-eligible project. Utility pole means a structure owned, operated, or owned and operated by a public utility, local government, or the Commonwealth that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for communications, cable television, or electricity. Water tower means a water storage tank, a standpipe, or an elevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as a reservoir or facility to store or deliver water. Wireless facility means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless communications between user equipment and a communications network, including equipment associated with wireless services, such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, such as microwave relay facilities, regardless of technological configuration. Wireless infrastructure provider means any person that builds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures, but that is not a wireless services provider. Wireless services means: (1) "Personal wireless services" as defined in 47 USC 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (2) "Personal wireless service facilities" as defined in 47 USC 332(c)(7)(C)(ii), including commercial mobile services as defined in 47 USC 332(d), provided to personal mobile communication devices through wireless facilities; and (3) Any other fixed or mobile wireless service, using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, provided using wireless facilities. Wireless services provider means a provider of wireless services. Wireless support structure means a freestanding structure, such as a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable alternative support structure or other structure designed to support or capable of supporting wireless facilities. The term "wireless support structure" does not include any telephone or electrical utility pole or any tower used for the distribution or transmission of electrical service. (Code 2015, § 30-692.1:1; Code 2020, § 30-692.1:1; Ord. No. 2018-157, § 2, 6-25-2018)

Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH30ZO_ARTVISURE_DIV11WITEFAMIRESTRATEBRAN_S30-692.1_1DEFetched: 11/8/2026