Definitions.

Meridian Code of Ordinances § 16-201

in effect

Sec. 16-201. - Definitions. The terms below have the following meanings for purposes of this article. Abandonment or abandon(s) means that, following the placement of DAS and/or small cell technologies facilities (and associated accessory equipment) or support structures in the city pursuant to a permit issued to a provider or an applicant, any of the following has occurred: (1) For any reason the facilities cease to be used to transmit signals, data or messages or otherwise be used for their intended purposes for a period of ninety (90) days; (2) The city revokes the permit for placement and use of those facilities due to nonpayment of applicable fees, the failure of the provider or applicant to comply with conditions in the permit or in this article, or other valid reason; or (3) The provider or applicant fails to perform any of its responsibilities, obligations and requirements in this article or in a permit that relates to the installation, construction, maintenance, use or operation of the facilities, accessory equipment or support structures, and that breach remains uncured for a period of sixty (60) days after the city provides written notice of the breach to the provider or applicant. Accessory equipment means any equipment other than an antenna that is used in conjunction with DAS and/or small cell technology facility arrangements. This equipment may be attached to or detached from a DAS and/or small cell technology wireless support structure, and includes, but, is not limited to, cabinets, optical converters, power amplifiers, radios, DWDM and CWDM multiplexers, microcells, radio units, fiber optic and coaxial cables, wires, meters, pedestals, power switches, and related equipment on, or in the immediate vicinity of a support structure. The term does not include the structure or improvements on, under, or within which the equipment is collocated, wireline backhaul facilities, coaxial or fiber optic cable that is between wireless support structures or utility poles or coaxial or fiber optic cable that is otherwise not immediately adjacent to, or directly associated with, an antenna. Antenna means communications equipment that transmits and receives electromagnetic radio signals, is attached to a DAS and/or small cell technology wireless support structure and is used to communicate wireless service. Applicant whether singular or plural, means a personal wireless service provider, wireless infrastructure provider, or an entity (including one that is not a provider) that is authorized by a personal wireless service provider to apply for or receive a permit to install, construct, manage, modify or maintain a DAS and/or small cell technology facility and related accessory equipment or support structure in the city, or an entity licensed by the FCC, or an entity certificated by the Mississippi Public Service Commission to provide telecommunication service. Application means a formal request submitted to the city for a permit to install, construct, modify or maintain a DAS and/or small cell technology facility and related accessory equipment or support structure. City means the City of Meridian, Mississippi. City council means the city council of the City of Meridian, Mississippi. Collocation means the placement or installation of a new DAS and/or small cell wireless technology facility or related accessory equipment on an existing pole or other support structure that is owned, controlled or leased by a utility, the city, or other person or entity. DAS or distributed antenna system is a network of spatially separated antenna sites connected to a common source that provides wireless service within a geographic area or structure. Director of planning means the person appointed by the mayor and the city council as the director of planning, who is responsible for the administration of this article. Distributed antenna system facilities and/or small cell technology facility(ies) or facilities whether singular or plural, means and includes the following types of structures: (a) antenna; and (b) associated accessory equipment. Personal wireless service provider or provider means an entity that provides personal wireless communication services to the public or citizens of the city on a commercial basis and is authorized by the FCC to provide those services. Private property means real property located in the city that does not lie within the right-of-way. Right-of-way whether singular or plural, means the surface and space in, upon, above, along, across, over and below any public streets, avenues, highways, roads, courts, lanes, alleys, boulevards, ways, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes, including all public utility easements, as the same now or may hereafter exist, that are within the city's corporate boundaries and under the jurisdiction of the city. This term shall not include county, state or federal rights-of-way or any property owned by any person or entity other than the city or city property that is not right-of-way. Support structure or DAS and/or small cell technology wireless support structure, whether singular or plural, means a freestanding structure designed or used to support, or capable of supporting, DAS and/or small cell technology facilities, including, but not limited to, utility poles, street light poles, traffic signal structures, rooftops, attics, or other enclosed or open areas of a building or accessory structure, a sign, or a flag pole. Stealth technology means a method(s) of concealing or minimizing the visual impact of a DAS and/or small cell technology facility (and associated accessory equipment) and support structure by incorporating features or design elements which either totally or partially conceal such facilities or equipment. The use of these design elements is intended to produce the result of having said facilities and associated structures blend into the surrounding environment and/or disguise, shield, hide or create the appearance that the facilities are an architectural component of the support structure. Wireless infrastructure provider means any person, including a person authorized to provide telecommunications service in the state, that builds or installs wireless communication transmission equipment, wireless facilities or wireless support structures, but that is not a wireless services provider. (Ord. No. 4526, § 1, 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_S16-201DEFetched: 11/1/2026