CHAPTER 29.
RADIO AND TELEVISION.

§ 29-1.    “Interference” defined; applicability of Chapter.

§ 29-2.    “Interference with radio and television reception prohibited.

§ 29-3.    Permit required for erection of television towers, etc.; permit fees.

§ 29-4.    Electrical requirements for antenna and ground installation.

§ 29-5.    Radio and television structural and safety requirements.

§ 29-6.    Enforcement of Chapter.

Sec. 29-1. “Interference” defined; applicability of Chapter.

For the purposes of this Chapter, “interference” shall mean any electrostatic or electromagnetic radiation of such magnitude that it will interfere with the reception by radio or television receiver of a broadcast signal from any radio or television station or any radio telephone transmitter when such broadcast signal is of local normal field strength. Radio or television receivers shall be of good engineering design, and in good operating condition, in establishing whether or not “interference” exists. This Chapter shall not be construed as regulating any device, appliance, equipment or apparatus used in interstate commerce in any case where such device, appliance, equipment or apparatus is licensed by the federal government.

Sec. 29-2. Interference with radio and television reception prohibited.

No person shall knowingly operate or cause to be operated within the City any apparatus, device, machine or equipment, either electrical or mechanical, which creates or causes interference with radio or television reception, which cannot be reasonably corrected by appliance or other practical alterations.

No person shall continue to use, without having provided corrective appliances, any machine or device that is interfering with radio or television reception, as such interference is defined in this Chapter ten (10) days after receipt of written notice from the Building Inspector to discontinue the use thereof or to provide corrective devices therefor.

Sec. 29-3. Permit required for erection of television towers, etc.; permit fees.

No television tower or aerial shall be erected in the City without the owner or his designated agent having first obtained a permit therefor from the Building Inspector, which permit shall provide for inspection and approval by the Building Inspector prior to its use. The fee for the issuance of such permit shall be the same as that for any building permit set out in the Building Code adopted by Chapter 9.

Sec. 29-4. Electrical requirements for antenna and ground installations.

All antenna and ground installations shall comply with minimum requirements at least equal to those of the Electrical Code adopted by Section 9-6 and the provisions of this Chapter, and shall be so installed as to present a minimum of inductive pickup from any electrical circuit.

Sec. 29-5. Radio and television structural and safety requirements.

For the purposes of this Chapter, the following radio and television structural and safety requirements are hereby adopted:

(a) Metal masts shall be effectively grounded, and ground wires used in lightning protection systems shall be No. 6 or No. 8 copper A.W.G. or aluminum wire with equivalent current carrying capacity (No. 4 or No. 6).

(b) Ground clamps shall be of the “approved” type.

(c) Antenna systems shall not interfere with Fire Department operations.

(d) An antenna system shall have a full clearance of eight feet (8') from other antennas on flat roofs. An antenna system shall be eight feet (8') above all points on a flat roof.

(e) An antenna system shall not cross a public way, or above or below light, power and communication lines, without written approval of the Building Inspector.

(f) Lead-ins shall be separated by at least two feet (2') from power lines with potentials up to 250 volts, ten feet (10') from lines with potentials higher than 250 volts, and six feet (6') from lightning rod systems.

(g) Wherever possible, the location of the antenna system shall be such that sagging, swinging, or collapse of the antenna will not result in contact with light or power lines which carry voltages of 240 or more volts, or with communication lines.

(h) Anchor screws or lead expansion shields shall be used in masonry at anchor points of mast and guy wire supports.

(i) Guy wires shall be at least 3.32 inch, four strand cable, galvanized steel, or No. 14 gauge solid galvanized steel wire.

(j) Antenna systems shall be adequately supported to withstand extreme conditions of wind.

(k) Chimneys shall not be used as a mast support.

(l) Masts shall be set in an approved metal base if placed on a roof.

(m) All antennas, except those of the self-supporting type, with masts ten feet (10') high or higher, shall be guyed in sets of four (4) guy wires at each ten foot level of the mast.

(n) The angle of the guy wire with the mast shall not be less than 30 degrees.

(o) Antenna supports on frame structures shall be fastened to rafters or beams with adequate screw eyes or hooks.

(p) The maximum height of antennas above the ridge of the roof when mounted on the roof of one-story structures shall not exceed 46 feet and when mounted on the roof of structures of two or more stories, 40 feet. The maximum height of antennas supported directly from the ground shall not exceed 60 feet. Variances from these requirements shall be by permit granted by the City Council.

(q) The materials entering into the construction of the antenna system shall be of a quality that meets the standards of recognized testing laboratories such as the Underwriters’ Laboratories, and shall bear the stamp of approval of these laboratories as well as the trademark of the manufacturer.

(r) Mast and miscellaneous hardware shall be non-corrosive.

(s) Attachment of any part of the antenna system to light, power, or communication structure or poles shall be prohibited.

Sec. 29-6. Enforcement of Chapter.

The Building Inspector shall have authority and it shall be his duty to enforce the provisions of this Chapter, and to use his best efforts to facilitate conditions conducive to proper radio or television reception free from interference in the City. The Building Inspector and his duly authorized deputies and assistants shall have authority to enter the place of business, or upon permission to enter the home of any person for the purpose of making such investigation as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this Chapter.