City of El Paso Wireless Communication Permitting
Personal Wireless Service Facilities
The City of El Paso classifies cell phone towers as personal wireless service facilities and regulates them under section 20.10.455 of the city's municipal code.
Telecommunications on the Right of Way
On June 9th, the Governor signed SB 1004, effective September 1, 2017. The City of El Paso regulates telecommunications in the ROW in Chapter 15.10 of the Municipal Code.
What is SB 1004?
Establishes Chapter 284 (Deployment of Network Nodes in Public Right-of-Way) of the Local Government Code and standardizes the municipal permitting process for the deployment of network nodes across Texas
Grants access to Public ROW to network providers subject to permitting requirements and payment to cities.
Sets standards for:
- When a permit is required
- Installation and Construction
- Size Restrictions
- Location Restrictions where above-ground structures in a ROW are prohibited
- Permitting Process and Shot Clock
- Fees for Access to Public ROW
- Access to Municipally-Owned Poles
What will happen on September 1, 2017?
The City of El Paso will be required to allow network providers to deploy facilities on Public ROW in line with Chapter 284 and Chapter 15.10 ‘Deployment of Network Nodes in the Right-of-Way’.
Network Node
Application Submittal
Online submittal through Citizen Access Portal
Non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application submittal
For collocation purposes, a Master License Agreement must be executed as a precondition of application submittal
Completeness Check
City must review applications for completeness and notify the application for its determination within 30 days
Review Period
The City must approve or deny the permitting within 60 days, counted from when the City received a complete application
Permit Issuance
Monthly pro-rated payment of annual rental rate is due prior to permit issuance
Provider is billed every January 1 thereafter
Permit expires 6 months after permit issuance if installation has not begun by that date
Inspections will be required during installation
Permit Fees
$500 for up to 5 node; $250 for each additional node
A maximum of 30 nodes may be included in each application
Payment will be made through Citizen Access Portal
Annual Rental Fees
$250 annually per Network Node site, with an annual adjustment
Provider will be billed every January 1 (note that when ready to issue, pro-rated rental rates will be due and may be paid through the Citizen Access Portal. These fees will be billed January 1 thereafter)
Provider shall maintain and submit annually an Inventory of Network Nodes, Node Support Poles, Node Support Poles connected by Transport Facilities, and Collocated Network Nodes. This shall include complete and accurate GIS location information, maps, plans, equipment inventories, and other records related to Provider’s facilities.
Transport Facility
Application Submittal
Online submittal through Citizen Access Portal
Non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application submittal
For collocation purposes, a Master License Agreement must be executed as a precondition of application submittal
Completeness Check
City must review applications for completeness and notify the application for its determination within 10 days via email
Review Period
The City must approve or deny the permitting within 21 days, counted from when the City received a complete application
Permit Issuance
Monthly pro-rated payment of annual rental rate is due prior to permit issuance
Provider is billed every January 1 thereafter
Permit expires 6 months after permit issuance if no work has occurred by that date
Inspections will be required during and after installation
Permit Fees
$500 for up to 5 nodes; $250 for each additional node
A maximum of 30 nodes may be included in each application
Payment will be made through Citizen Access Portal
Annual Rental Fees
$28 monthly per Network Node site, not to exceed network provider’s monthly aggregate Network Node rental Rate
Provider will be billed every January 1 (note that when ready to issue, pro-rated rental rates will be due and may be paid through the Citizen Access Portal. These fees will be billed January 1 thereafter)
Provider shall maintain and submit annually an Inventory of Network Nodes, Node Support Poles, Node Support Poles connected by Transport Facilities, and Collocated Network Nodes. This shall include complete and accurate GIS location information, maps, plans, equipment inventories, and other records related to Provider’s facilities.
Node Support Pole
Application Submittal
Online submittal through Citizen Access Portal
Non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application submittal
For collocation purposes, a Master License Agreement must be executed as a precondition of application submittal. This includes the "drop and swap" method of municipally owned power poles.
Completeness Check
City must review applications for completeness and notify the application for its determination within 30 days
Review Period
The City must approve or deny the permitting within 150 days, counted from when the City received a complete application
Permit Issuance
Monthly pro-rated payment of annual rental rate is due prior to permit issuance
Provider is billed every January 1 thereafter
Permit expires 6 months after permit issuance if installation has not begun by that date
Inspections will be required during installation
Permit Fees
$1,000 for each pole
Payment will be made through Citizen Access Portal
Annual Rental Fees
$20 annually per service pole
Provider will be billed every January 1 (note that when ready to issue, pro-rated rental rates will be due and may be paid through the Citizen Access Portal. These fees will be billed January 1 thereafter)
Provider shall maintain and submit annually an Inventory of Network Nodes, Node Support Poles, Node Support Poles connected by Transport Facilities, and Collocated Network Nodes. This shall include complete and accurate GIS location information, maps, plans, equipment inventories, and other records related to Provider’s facilities.