[TowerTalk] New York state wind survival requirements for

[Grant Saviers]

Good advice, but before talking to Planning or Permitting or whatever 
the granting agency is called, get a copy of the codes (online in most 
municipalities) and thoroughly read the relevant sections.  Many have 
adopted very tough commercial regs and a section that exempts amateurs, 
but the use must be 100% non commercial.

As one petty bureaucrat said to me "knowledge is power" and some will 
mistakenly misapply the codes and some will purposely misread them. 
Some will actually be helpful.  If they want to make it illegally hard, 
then it is time for a lawyer.  Smile and be calm with abusers, there is 
no gain in drama.  Expect a maximum application of codes - concrete 
slump and strength, soils loading, geotechnical study..  Some sensible, 
others spurious attempts deter the project.

I've had these experiences in EMA, SCV (the worst, offscale), and WWA.

One inspector had no clue about the structural difference between guyed 
and self supporting towers.  Another did the final by looking out the 
window and signed off with "that looks like a tower".  Towers are not in 
the usual code checks for residences.  A PE computer analysis is beyond 
the software tools available to the plan review engineers.

Grant KZ1W

On 11/23/2022 10:09, sawyered at earthlink.net wrote:
> I can't speak to NY State as I have not done a tower there.  But typically,
> these guys are referring to Commercial tower requirements and not "accessory
> structures" not used for commercial use - ham towers and antennas.
> 
>   
> 
> The "building inspector" is not usually a good source.  Its your town's
> Permit issuer that you really want to talk to.  And don't use the word
> tower.  Call it a "accessory structure" at your residence for personal use
> only.  And that your activity is federally licensed amateur radio use.  And
> see what the Permit requirements are.
> 
>   
> 
> You may be pleasantly surprised.  Or if, they don't look too friendly, ask
> if there are accommodations for reasonable ham radio use?
> 
>   
> 
> In Vermont, for personal use radio antennas, none of the commercial antenna
> and tower details apply.
> 
>   
> 
> By the way, the reason many building inspectors don't know the difference is
> because number 1 - most hams don't file a permit and 2 - most antenna
> permits don't require an inspection if they are within the zoning guidelines
> and for personal use.  That's changing though and varies widely with
> municipality.
> 
>   
> 
> Ed  N1UR
> 
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