The very first thing you should do is get a copy the book by K1VR "Antenna
Zoning for the Radio Amateur" from the ARRL. It covers in great detail all
the questions you have raised and provides specific methods for dealing with
the permit process. For $50 you get the benefit of the experience of a top
communications law attorney who has successfully navigated the permit
process dozens of times for hams.
The town assessors office should have on file a plot plan for your property.
They will make a copy for you but you will likely have to go there in
person. While you are there stop by the Zoning department and buy a copy of
your town/county zoning bylaws, usually about $15. Without it you have no
idea what process you will need to follow and what the specific regulations
are that apply to amateur antenna support structures. Just some of the
things you need to know: Height limit for structures, do telecommunications
structures have there own specific regulations (most likely they do)?, do
amateur structures fall under those regulations?, will you need a special
permit, special exception, Conditional-Use permit or variance etc.
Jim W1UK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dana Roode" <K6NR@arrl.net>
To: "TowerTalk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2002 11:50 AM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Engineering/Permit Help; Tower in remote location
>
> TowerTalk folk --
>
> I'm looking to put up a tower in San Bernardino County, Ca and I'm
> interested in input as to what sort of permit/engineering help I should
> seek.
>
> I live in Orange County, Ca on a small lot with 35' height restrictions.
A
> few years back, my brothers and I purchased a house on 2.5 acres in a San
> Bernardino, County desert area. My brother lives in the house, I get a
room
> for a remote station and the "back yard". I've had lots of fun with
masts,
> a 40m 4 square, 80m verticals, etc., but eventually I want to put up a
> tower.
>
> I have spoken with the County building permit folks, and with a few other
> hams that have gone through the permit process. Even though I'm in the
> desert, San Bernardino County has lots of urban areas and the county folk
> appear to be sticklers for detail. To get a permit I need an accurate and
> properly drawn lot plan, engineering diagrams of the tower, etc. I don't
> think my Visio lot plan will cut the mustard. Engineering diagrams must
be
> done by an engineer licensed in California. I am an hour and half away
from
> the remote location, so trips up to deal with the County, contractors,
tower
> delivery, etc., might be an issue at times. I understand the County will
> want to visit before I start, visit after the hole is dug, visit after the
> base is poured, and visit again when the tower goes up. I was told they
> asked one guy to hire a professional bolt-tightener (?) to certify the
base
> bolts were according to specs.
>
> What sort of help should I seek, and where might I find it? There is the
> ARRL volunteer engineer program - is that list a good source of folks who
> can help me with lot plans etc.? (I once contacted an engineer on the
list,
> he said he could not help me). Would it be better to find a "general
> contractor" of some sort in the area who can do lot plans and work the
> permit process for me? Anyone have any references of engineer or
contractor
> types in the San Bernardino County area? I have come across some folks
who
> can help with tower construction, but they don't do the permit stuff.
>
> I'm thinking of acquiring a US Tower crankup - my understanding is that I
> can get engineering diagrams from them. Since they are located in
> California, they should be acceptable to the County. But, I haven't seen
> them yet. I have modest goals of a tribander at 60'.
>
> Thanks for any input...
>
> Dana Roode
> K6NR
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Where do you get ICE bandpass filters & beverage matching boxes? The
> same place that pays for the hosting of this list: The eHam Store.
> Order online at http://store.eham.net.
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> -----
> FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
> Submissions: towertalk@contesting.com
> Administrative requests: towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
>
>
________________________________________________________________________
Where do you get ICE bandpass filters & beverage matching boxes? The
same place that pays for the hosting of this list: The eHam Store.
Order online at http://store.eham.net.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions: towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests: towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-towertalk@contesting.com
|