Small Cell Wireless Facilities

Small Cell Wireless Facilities are structures that encompasses telecommunication equipment and materials such as radios and antennas that are connected to already existing infrastructures like streetlights, traffic signal poles, and/or utility poles. This information page will be on Small Cell Wireless Facilities, which are different from Cell Towers. Please see below for more information.

Also known as “Small Cell Sites”.

 

What Do Small Cell Wireless Facilities Look Like?

Please see below for some example images of some Small Cell Wireless Facilities you may see throughout the City of Maricopa.

 

SMALL CELL WIRELESS FACILITIES EXAMPLE

Small Wireless facilities on Streetlights Small Wireless facilities on Mono-Poles
 
A black streetlight with a cellular antenna stands on a sidewalk near trees, houses, and utility boxes under a clear blue sky.
 

A tall, dark utility pole stands next to a beige, arched equipment cabinet on a gravel lot near a sidewalk, trees, and a road under a sunny sky.

 

 

What Is the Difference Between Small Cell Wireless Facilities and Cell Towers? 

 

CELL TOWER EXAMPLE

Traditional Cell Tower Stealth Design Cell Tower 
 
A tall cellular tower with multiple antennas stands against a clear blue sky, with part of a building visible at the bottom of the image.
 

The image displays a tall, artificial tree structure designed to camouflage telecommunications equipment. The tree is slender and vertically elongated, resembling a pine tree with dense, green foliage achieved through realistic plastic branches.

 

 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMALL CELL WIRELESS FACILITIES AND CELL TOWERS

 

SMALL CELL WIRELESS FACILITIES

  

CELL TOWERS
A black streetlight with a cellular antenna stands on a sidewalk near trees, houses, and utility boxes under a clear blue sky.
A tall, dark utility pole stands next to a beige, arched equipment cabinet on a gravel lot near a sidewalk, trees, and a road under a sunny sky.
 

A tall cellular tower with multiple antennas stands against a clear blue sky, with part of a building visible at the bottom of the image.

 
The image displays a tall, artificial tree structure designed to camouflage telecommunications equipment. The tree is slender and vertically elongated, resembling a pine tree with dense, green foliage achieved through realistic plastic branches.
 
 
  • Regulated by the Federal Communications Commissions
    (FCC).
  • Location of these is regulated by FCC, which are typically placed on
    public roadways.
  • Designs are regulated by the City of Maricopa's Zoning Code.

 

  
  • Regulated by the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC),
    City's Zoning Code, and other development standards of the City of Maricopa.
  • Location of these are processed by the City of Maricopa's Zoning Code
    and is regulated by FCC, which is typically located on private property.
  • Designs are regulated by the City of Maricopa's Zoning Code.

 


FAQ’S on Small Cell Wireless Facilities

Is It Safe?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandates that all FCC regulated transmitters, which contain small cell sites, abide by its radio frequency (RF) exposure standards. The FCC establishes RF emissions limit in close coordination with FDA and other related health agencies. Compliance with these regulations ensure exposure levels remain well below the thresholds known to cause adverse health outcomes. The FCC's authority and responsibility to set RF emissions levels for FCC-regulated transmitters is found in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. FCC rules governing RF emissions exposure are contained in 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1307, 1.1310.

 

 

Who is in Charge of This?

The Federal Government, specifically the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The city is not involved in planning where small cell sites are located and implemented on private property or in public right-of-way throughout the City of Maricopa. Locations of the small cell sites are dictated and chosen by the carriers.

Traditional Cell Towers or Large-Format Cell Sites Can Be Placed Anywhere?

Traditional Cell Towers and those Large Structured Cell Sites do not apply, unlike Small Cell Sites, in which the City has no control over where they will be placed and how many there will be, FCC governs that. “Traditional Lattice Cellular Towers” are subjected to follow the development services’ zoning, typical land use, and engineering rules and regulations from the City.

Is There a Limit to the Number of Small Cell Wireless Facilities Permitted in the City of Maricopa?

No, there is not. This is not under the City’s jurisdiction to regulate on capping the total number of Small Cell Sites. This is governed under state and federal law to govern how many are installed within the city. Though the city can still impose some restrictions on limiting to protect the public safety, health, and welfare of the community in the City.

 

How Can I Find More About the Location of Existing and Planned Poles in My Neighborhood and Areas?

Please see below for a PDF Map of all existing and proposed Small Cell Sites within the City of Maricopa.

 

Additional Resources:

Cell Installations Begin as Part of Digital Infrastructure Expansion | City of Maricopa, AZ

AZ League Connection, August 2017 Issue

Please click on video below to see more information on Small Cell Wireless Facilities in the City of Maricopa.

 

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