[SEDXC] Building Permits for Tower Bases

[Robert Carroll]

JT-

When I went through this with Cobb County under Jim's guidance, the language
was similar to what you have in Canton--since Jim ghost wrote the code in
both places.  What it meant was that a ham tower under 70' did not come
under the tower restrictions which in general were 35'.  It also meant I did
not have to apply for a variance and risk the ire of neighbors.  It also
meant that none of the design standards for commercial towers applied, but
rather that I did have to meet some rather nebulous national standards which
included things like wind loading etc.  But I did have to get a construction
permit from Cobb, and the county required design approval from a PE.  When I
went down to apply for a permit there was a form to fill out which required
me to show on a map of the property where I was gong to put the tower and a
little about the design.  I had to meet with an engineer at the county.  He
didn't care anything about the design--leaving that to the PE, but he did
tell me where I could an could not put it.  It had to be behind the plane of
the house and located no closer to any property line than 2/3 the height of
the tower.  The PE inspected the design and Dave Johnson went into action.
The PE looked at the footing excavation, we poured, and up it went.  The PE
signed off, I sent in a letter from him, and we were done.  The situation in
Canton could be a little different, but I would say if you are going to put
up the tower by the book (this tower was the first I went through the permit
process for), put it behind the house and 2/3 the height from your property
line.

Bob W2WG

-----Original Message-----
From: sedxc-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:sedxc-bounces at contesting.com] On
Behalf Of JT Croteau
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 10:45 AM
To: *SEDXC Group; secc at contesting.com
Subject: [SEDXC] Building Permits for Tower Bases

For those who don't know, I am in the process of restoring the 55'
Height's crankup that was once on Jack Hague's, K4DN, property.  I
hope to get it back in the air before the end of the year.

I'm waiting to hear back from Jim Altman on this but also wanted to
share it with the group as well in case anyone else has any insight.

According to the city ordinances for Canton, because this tower is
under 70' tall and being used by a licensed amateur radio operator, I
am exempt from the entire article in the section of code perataing to
tower installations.  This article covers everything from permit
process, set-backs, visual impact, etc.  Therefore, I believe all I
need, before going forward with construction, is a building permit
because I will be pouring a concrete footing.

This morning I vertically set in place on the lawn the bottom section
of tower in a few spots to kind of figure out where the best spot on
my property will be for the tower.  The ideal spot for my use, and to
meet the YL's visual apperance, is a spot 16' from the fence
seperating me from my closest neighbor.  This got me to thinking...

My question to Jim, therefore, was:

I am clearly exempt from the section of code pertaining to set-backs
for tower installations.  However, will this 16' from my neighbor
throw up any red flags with the building inspector when I go to apply
for the building permit for the footing?

Now, I've seen towers installed closer to property lines than this
before so I'm not really sure.  I'm just trying to cover all my bases
before I start asking the city questions.  I am trying to keep a very
low profile until all my ducks are in a row.

Thanks

--
 JT Croteau - W6FO - Canton, GA
 ARS #2,147 | NoGA-QRP | SEDXC | SECC | ARRL
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