Network Providers should follow these steps prior to applying for Small Cell permits.

1. To initiate the application process please download, complete, notarize, and return the Wireless Provider Questionnaire.
2. The questionnaire must be returned to the TARA department by email or mail to April Oldag. Contact information is listed below.
3. Network Providers are also required to download the pole attachment agreements and return two signed copies of the agreement to each department. Agreements must be signed original copies. Electronic versions will not be accepted.

Please provide a return address with the agreements. One fully executed agreement will be returned to the Network Provider. 

Third party hosts, (non-wireless service provider), are not eligible to submit (or obtain) ROW permits unless they provide copies of their agreement with a wireless service provider. The terms and conditions of the agreement may be redacted as necessary.

Third party agreements can be sent via mail or email as follows:

A Certificate of Insurance is required to complete the registration process. The certificate of insurance should be uploaded with the Wireless Questionnaire.

Minimum insurance requirements:

A. Commercial General Liability coverage in the minimum amount of $2,000,000 per occurrence.

B. Worker's Compensation coverage with statutory benefits as set forth in the Texas Worker's Compensation Act and Employer's Liability coverage of not less than $1,000,000 bodily injury per accident, $1,000,000 bodily injury per disease and $1,000,000 per disease per employee;

C. Business Automobile Liability Insurance for all owned, non-owned, and hired vehicles with a minimum combined single limit of $1,000,000.

City of Austin requires all potential Small Cell node sites to complete this process prior to submitting a permit application.

Austin Transportation Signal Department suggests that applicants consider the following when selecting sites for Small Cell nodes. Click here for images of traffic signal poles that may not be used for node placement.

The following may not be used:

• Traffic Signal Poles with cameras
• Traffic Signal poles where the traffic signal control panel is adjacent to the pole
• Traffic Signal poles that have an ADA sidewalk ramp adjacent to the pole
• Traffic Signal poles where permanent structures are adjacent to the pole such as fire hydrants or bike racks

Austin Energy Small Cell Standards - 6.10.4 - Network Nodes on Distribution Poles

Network Nodes may be installed only on in-line tangent Poles or Service Poles that do not have Supply Equipment installed, provided that with prior AE approval, installation of Network Nodes on a Pole with a single transformer or secondary riser may be allowed. Network Nodes may not be installed on dead-ended, corner, or double-circuit Poles, or on Poles framed for primary junctions. 

Please contact Austin Energy for a list of acceptable poles for Small Cell nodes. 

Feasibility Review requests should be submitted here using the following guidelines:

Use this feasibility review template to submit the site requests. The requests should be grouped by pole type. 

Traffic Signal poles should be on one request, Austin Energy wood poles should be on a separate request, and new self supporting poles should be on another separate request.

A spreadsheet should be submitted with the Feasibility Review, listing all the sites in the presentation, including the following information:

• Carrier name
• Address or Intersection
• Corner Identity
• GPS Coordinates
• Photo of pole with an arrow pointing to the proposed site
• Map of site
• Proposed pole type for new self supporting poles

Once the request has been submitted, site availability and a power review will be done. Comments will be returned to the contact email provided. 

This map shows most of the reserved Small Cell sites.

Applicants must submit a request here for the Electronic Service Planning Application to Austin Energy prior to submitting the Small Cell permit application. This process begins the Austin Energy design phase. A quote will be sent to the applicant and once payment has been made, the design will be finalized and returned to the applicant. The applicant should include the design on the site plan.

Applicants must submit a request here to obtain a 9-1-1 address prior to submitting an application for Small Cell permit. For type of address, select Small Cell Antenna. A list of unavailable pole types can be found here.

All permit applications are submitted through the City of Austin’s ABC portal.

• Select Right Of Way Permits
• Select the type of application and follow the online application process.
• See sample screenshot below

The following documents are required with each node, support pole and/or transport facility Small Cell application:

• ATD or AE pole attachment application, (New support poles and transport facilities in the City Right of Way need to use ATD pole attachment application).
• Site plans must show all underground utilities and surface structures within a 20-ft radius of the node site, including all trees, shrubs, trash cans, applicable standard traffic control details, and standard paving plans.
• Pole Load Analysis is required for each node pole.
• Image of each pole can be shown on the site plan.

Applicants should contact each of the City Departments below for maps of the infrastructure and requirements. These must be incorporated into the site plans.

Applicants should submit a request for Utility Coordination through the AULCC process for the site plan to be reviewed by City departments and private utilities to identify potential conflicts. GIS information will be sent to the applicant.

The ROW Management Website can be found at austintexas.gov/rowman.

When the Small Cell permit has been approved, all excavation and temporary use right of way permits will be issued by the Right of Way staff. Working hours, any restrictions and any conflicts with other projects will be listed on the approved permits.

ATTENTION ROWMAN Applicants, if your work will involve a right of way closure, please notify 3-1-1 (or 512-974-2000) three (3) days prior to starting construction.

Call Before You Dig 8-1-1

This must be completed prior to the pre-con meeting.

Pre-Con Meeting must be scheduled prior to starting any construction.

The City of Austin departments that must be included are:

• Development Services - Michael Jones
• Austin Traffic Signals - Chris Dixon or Seyed Ghazinezhadian
• Traffic Control - Ryan Mooney
• Austin Water - Robert Acosta
• Austin Energy Civil  - Chad Leingang
• Environmental  - Randy Maze

Use this link to schedule a pre-con meeting.

The Small Cell fee schedule can also be found here in the City of Austin Adopted Budget on pages 613 and 696.

 Pole Attachment Asset Map

This map shows the locations of Small Cell Permit Applications.

Parking Inventory Map

This map shows the street parking locations and PayStations with station number. Use this map to assist with  traffic control plans.

City of Austin Mobility Map

This interactive map provides details on upcoming mobility projects. Use this tool to plan the site construction schedule.

COA Jurisdictions Web Map

This map identifies the Right of Way Jurisdiction by address.