Small Cell facilities are low-powered antennas that provide cellular and data coverage to smaller geographic areas, supplementing the larger cellular network and improving service for wireless customers.
Effective September 1, 2017, the City of Austin has a new application process for small-cell facilities in the public right-of-way. This new process is in accordance with Texas Senate Bill 1004, amending the Local Government Code by adding Chapter 284 – Deployment of Network Nodes in Public Right-of-Way, enacted by the State of Texas on June 9, 2017. Small-cell facilities are typically comprised of network nodes, antennas, associated wireless equipment, and transport facilities. Following this process will facilitate the installation of small-cell facilities within the public right-of-way on municipally-owned service poles, Austin Energy poles, and privately-owned network node support poles.
The City of Austin has adopted Administrative Rule #R161-17.02, effective November 10, 2017. This rule sets forth processes, terms, and conditions for requesting and permitting the use of City public right of way and city-owned traffic signals and utility poles in the City right of way for small cell installations. This rule also sets forth design parameters, limits, and standards, including aesthetic and concealment requirements for network nodes, node support poles, and transport facilities intended to be placed in the City's right of way under Chapter 284.
The installation of wireless telecommunications, otherwise referred to as Small Cell, infrastructure in Austin is regulated by the City of Austin's Transportation Criteria Manual (Section 12) and the amendment of Texas State law to include Chapter 284 of Local Government Code. Small Cell facilities are typically comprised of network nodes, antennas, associated wireless equipment, and transport facilities. The City's Small Cell application process was designed to facilitate the installation of small cell facilities within the public rights-of-way. The application process and guiding regulations set design parameters, limits, and standards for such facilities.
Wireless telecommunications providers may wish to view the following resources before beginning an application:
- Permit Application Process
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All permit applications are submitted through the City of Austin’s AB+C portal.
- Select "Apply for Right Of Way Permits/Special Events" from the Permits drop down menu.
- Select the type of application and follow the online application process.
The following documents are required with each node, support pole, or transport facility Small Cell application:
- Transportation and Public Works (TPW) or Austin Energy (AE) pole attachment application
- New support poles and transport facilities in the City Right of Way need to use TPW pole attachment application.
- Site plans must show all underground utilities and surface structures within a 20-ft radius of the proposed node, including all trees, shrubs, trash cans, applicable standard traffic control details, and standard paving plans.
- Applicants must use the Small Cell Site Plan Node Template.
- Applicants must use the Small Cell Site Plan Node Template.
- A pole-load/structural analysis report is required for each City-owned pole.
Images depicting the current and proposed condition of the site must be included in the site plan or submitted separately.
- Wireless Provider Registration
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Wireless providers should follow these steps prior to applying for Small Cell permits.
- Download, complete, notarize, and return the Wireless Provider Questionnaire.
- Download, sign, and return two copies of the Pole Attachment Agreements to each department.
- Provide a Certificate of Insurance to complete the registration process.
Return the Wireless Provider Questionnaire to April Sellers Oldag in the Development Services office by email or mail.
- Email: April Sellers Oldag
- Mail:
City of Austin Development Services Department
ATTN: April Sellers Oldag
P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
Pole Attachment Agreements must be signed, original copies. Electronic versions will not be accepted.
- Provide a return address with the agreements; one fully executed agreement will be returned to the wireless provider.
- For Traffic Signal Poles (Transportation and Public Works Department), mail to City of Austin Transportation and Public Department ROW Management, ATTN: Ryan Mooney, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767.
- For Utility and Streetlight Poles (Austin Energy), mail to Austin Energy, ATTN: Pole Attachment Services Program Manager, 4815 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX 78723.
Certificates of Insurance should be uploaded with the Wireless Provider Questionnaire.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements:
- Commercial General Liability coverage in the minimum amount of $2,000,000 per occurrence.
- 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.
- Business Automobile Liability Insurance for all owned, non-owned, and hired vehicles with a minimum combined single limit of $1,000,000.
Third-party providers may not submit or obtain rights-of-way permits without providing copies of their agreement with a wireless provider. The terms and conditions of the agreement may be redacted as necessary.
Third-party agreements can be sent via mail or email to April Sellers Oldag at the Development Services Department.
- Feasibility Review
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The City of Austin recommends that wireless providers conduct a feasibility review for all potential Small Cell node sites before submitting a permit application. This step is optional. Node sites will not be reserved until the permit is submitted.
Use the feasibility review example (PDF) to prepare site requests.
- Carrier Name
- Address or Intersection
- Corner Identity
- GPS Coordinates
- Photo depicting the current condition of the proposed site
- Map of site
- Proposed pole type for new self-supporting poles, including height (if applicable)
- Pole number (if applicable)
Submit Small Cell Feasibility Review Requests here.
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.
Follow the steps below to view all pending and active Small Cell sites.- Select the Layer List button in the top left corner
- Turn off all existing layers
- Select Pole Attachments
- You may then query by GPS coordinates or address
- Engineering Prerequisites
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A site plan for the installation of network nodes, node support poles, and/or transport facilities is required with the permit application. Guidelines for small cell engineering site plans are in the Design Guideline, TPW Traffic Signal Pole Standard Detail, and TPW Approved Lower Shroud Design. Applicants are also encouraged to review the City of Austin's TPW Transportation Criteria Manual for traffic signal poles and Austin Energy's Utility Criteria Manual. Contact COASmallCell@Austintexas.gov for any questions regarding guidelines for Small Cell engineering site plans.
Applicants must submit an Electronic Service Planning Application to Austin Energy prior to applying for a Small Cell permit. This 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.
Applicants must submit a request to obtain a 9-1-1 address prior to submitting a Small Cell permit application. For the type of address, select Small Cell Antenna.
Applicants should contact each of the City Departments below for maps of infrastructure and requirements to incorporate into their site plans:
Office Point of Contact Austin Energy PAOperations@austinenergy.com Watershed Protection Reyes Camacho Development Services April Sellers Street & Bridge Saroj Thapa Austin Traffic Signals Lance Cooper Austin Chilled Water Downtown Darron Ross Austin Chilled Water Mueller Energy Center Barrett Story Austin Chilled Water Domain Whitney Moyer Urban Design Salvatore Saluga Traffic Control Traffic Control Review Austin Water Eli Pruit Parks & Recreation Robynne Heymans Corridor Program Greg Pepper - Small Cell Construction Process
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Right-of-Way staff will issue all excavation and temporary-use permits in the right-of-way after a Small Cell permit is approved. These permits are provided to the general contractor overseeing the deployment of a wireless provider’s Small Cell installation. Once all permits are received, the general contractor must submit a pre-construction (pre-con) meeting request.
Pre-Construction Checklist:
A pre-con meeting must be scheduled prior to starting any construction. Applicant should prepare for this meeting by:
- Calling Texas 8-1-1 with a request to locate underground utility lines at the site
- Compiling the following documents to submit with their pre-con meeting request:
- Approved Small Cell Permit Site Plan
- Approved Traffic Control Plan
- Approved Right-of-Way Permits
- Approved Austin Energy Work Order Design
Email TeleCommunications@austintexas.gov to schedule a pre-con meeting.
Visit the ROW Management webpage for further information on working in the right of way.
If your work will involve a right-of-way closure, please notify Austin 3-1-1 (or 512-974-2000) three (3) days before starting construction.
- Review Austin 3-1-1 Notification Guidelines (PDF) if unsure when to contact them.
- Calling Texas 8-1-1 with a request to locate underground utility lines at the site
- Fees & Mapping Resources
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Network Node Application Fees:
Austin Traffic Signal Pole (1-5) $500 for first 5 nodes Austin Traffic Signal Pole (over 5) $250 for each node over 5 Austin Energy Utility Pole (1-5) $500 for first 5 nodes Austin Energy Utility Pole (over 5) $250 for each node over 5 Other Pole (1-5) $500 for first 5 nodes Other Pole (over 5) $250 for each node over 5 Transport Facility (1-5) $500 for first 5 nodes Transport Facility (over 5) $250 for each node over 5
Node Support Pole Application Fees:New Support Pole - TPW $1000 per pole New Support Pole - AE $1000 per pole New Stand-Alone Pole $1000 per pole
Other Fees:Pro-rated Annual ROW Usage $20.83 per month Annual ROW Usage $250 per node, annually Annual TPW Pole Rental $20 per node, annually Annual AE Pole Rental $20 per node, annually Monthly Transfer Facility ROW Usage $28 per month Mapping Resources
City of Austin Mobility Map: This interactive map details 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.
FAQs
- Can I install Small Cell equipment in Zilker Metropolitan Park?
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Zilker Metropolitan Park is unique because none of the roads within its boundaries are considered right-of-way (ROW), they are park roads, including Barton Springs Road from MoPac Expressway to Barton Creek. As such, this section of roadway is protected under the City Charter, Article II, Section 7, as well as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Title 3, Chapter 26. Permitting small cell equipment along this section of Barton Springs Road or any other road within Zilker Metropolitan Park would therefore constitute an encroachment onto parkland in violation of said protections and the requirements in the City of Austin’s Transportation Criteria Manual (TCM).
The Transportation Criteria Manual (TCM) does not allow Small Cell Equipment within the parkland. TCM
- Can I install Small Cell equipment in residential neighborhoods?
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TCM 14-11-193 (G) - A network provider may not install a node support pole in a public right-of-way adjacent to a street or thoroughfare not more than 50 feet wide running adjacent to residential lots or structures. For the purposes of this subsection, the width of a street or thoroughfare is measured to exclude that portion designated for bicycle or pedestrian traffic.
However, Small Cell equipment can be installed on existing poles within a residential neighborhood or multi-family dwelling with pole owner approval.
- Can I submit my transport fiber permit through the General Permit process?
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Yes, if you have an Annual Permit. An Annual General Permit is a pre-existing agreement between an organization and the City of Austin's General Permit program. Larger scopes of work are reviewed and permitted as Formal General Permit Applications.
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If you have a smaller project with a maximum work limit of 3000 s.f. or a maximum of 300 l.f. it is reviewed and permitted as a General Permit Exemption unless otherwise specified in the department stakeholder’s Annual General Permit. Learn more on the General Permits webpage.
- Is AULCC required?
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No, AULCC is not required. The Small Cell process was designed to include the AULCC City Departments as part of the Small Cell review process.
- Does the Small Cell node permit expire?
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Yes, The Small Cell node permits expire at the end of each year. However, applicants can pay annual usage fees for up to five (5) years in advance. Renewal invoices are sent out each December for the following year.
- Are Telecommunication Cell Towers considered Small Cell?
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No, Cell Towers are permitted by the Office of Real Estate Services Department if the towers are within the ROW or on City-owned property.
A Site Plan permit is required if the Cell Tower does not meet those requirements. Cell towers are permitted through the Site Plan process.
- Are Roof Top Telecommunication Cell Towers considered Small Cell?
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No, Roof Top Cell Towers require a Site Plan Exemption. Learn more on the Commercial Plan Review webpage.