[TowerTalk] Anyone not need a permit to install their tower? - No permit Required

[Alan Beagley]

In Holland Township (W. Michigan), towers under 70' for use by 
FCC-licensed Amateur Radio operators are explicitly exempted from the 
permit requirement, and I believe the same applies to the City of 
Holland and some of the other nearby townships. In Holland Township I 
don't even have to get the plans approved or an inspection to make sure 
the installation is safe -- although somebody suggested that it might be 
advisable to ask for an inspection to keep the insurance co. happy.

In your case, since you are in doubt about the situation (have you read 
the ordinance yourself? had a lawyer look at it and advise you?), I 
would definitely want to get everything in writing.

Alan AB2OS


On 01/08/04 10:02 pm Noel put fingers to keyboard and launched the 
following message into cyberspace:

> So I called my local city planners office to begin the process of
> getting a permit to install a tower on my one acre lot. We live in a
> kind of agricultrual area, but more horse-country than agricultrial.  At
> first I'm told I'd need to get a "conditional use permit" to install my
> tower.  But later when trying to get more details of what I'd need for
> the permit, I speak directly with the city planner who tells me I don't
> need a permit at all because the city ordinance requiring a "conditional
> use permit" is only for towers over 75'.  And since my tower is only
> 60', he does not think I need a permit at all. He goes on to read from
> the ordinance, and explains that it specifically exempts singe pole
> radio structures and the like under 75'.  I'm a little concerned about
> the words "single pole" because my tower is not a single pole.  But a
> triangular tower with four guys wires.  I explain that to the city
> planner and he still says I don't need a permit, if I keep the
> installation under 75'.  
> 
> So my concern is, if I install my tower without a permit, and keep it
> under 75'.  What protection, if any, do I have if later someone
> complains about my antenna and tower? Not that I expect it from my
> neighbors but you never know. 
> 
> According to the city planner, I can still get a "building permit" to
> ensure the installation meets proper installation requirements, but that
> it is not necessary.  I'm kind of relieved I don't have to get permit
> but wonder if I should anyway, or just go ahead with my installation and
> see what happens.