Wireless Communication Facility Modification

The Department of Planning and Building reviews applications for modifications to existing telecommunications facilities to ensure compliance with County Code Section 22.64.050 or 23.02.038, and Federal Communications Commission Rule Section 6409(a). 

What is the process?

Step 1: Minimum Requirements

The proposed modification(s) cannot result in: (1) an increased impact that was specifically addressed during environmental review; (2) a change to any condition of approval; or (3) a change to a project feature that was specifically addressed by the review authority.

Step 2: Identify the Original Land Use Permit Number

  1. Open Land Use View mapping application.

  2. On the top left hand corner, press the blue “I want to...” button and then press “See Layer List” 

    • This will open a searchable toolbar.

  3. On the top left corner, click where it says “Filter Layers...” and type in “Wireless Communications Facilities”. 

  4. Turn on the mapping layer by clicking the box next to the “Wireless Communications Facilities” text. 

  5. In the top right hand corner, use the “Search...” feature to search for the parcel 

    • The property can be found using an address or Assessor's Parcel Number (APN)

    • If searching by address, multiple points across the region may be displayed.  All possible addresses matching the search results will be shown on the bottom of the screen.  Double click on the desired result to enlarge the map to the parcel.

  6. Once the property is found, the original Land Use Permit number should be overlayed over the Wireless Communications Facility location. 

Step 3: Assemble Required Documents

  1. Modification to Wireless Communication Facility Application - completed & signed
  2. Plans - showing existing and proposed configuration
  3. Visual Simulations
  4. Eligible Facilities Request 6409 Letter
  5. Cumulative Radio Frequency (RF) Report (as applicable)
  6. Consent of Property Owner

Step 4: Apply Online

Please apply for a wireless communication facility modification through the online service PermitSLO.

  1. To apply online, click Land Use Permit Application
  2. Click Apply
  3. Login by providing your email address and clicking "Next", or "Create an account", if you are a new user.
  4. Follow the step-by-step instructions.
  5. Upload the required documents in Step 3 before clicking Submit.



***Digital Copies are now required with submission***

Planning staff will look over the application submittal package and contact the primary contact with any questions.

Step 5: Pay Invoice

Planning staff will email the billing contact an invoice. Pay invoice here*.

Once the invoice is paid, the project review timeline will begin.

Please note for all Planning and Building applications, after 15 days of non-payment of invoice, the application will be voided and resubmittal will be required.

Step 6: Review Application and Documents

If the application and documents are complete, the project modification will be accepted for processing. If the application and documents are missing information, the project modification will be placed on information hold.

Step 7: Reach Decision

If the application meets the criteria in County Code, staff will determine that the modification is in substantial conformance with the previously approved land use permit application. If the application does not meet the criteria in County Code staff will deny the project modification.

Who is eligible?

This service is available to anyone applying for a modification to an existing permitted telecommunications facility.  

Is there a charge for this service?

Please refer to the Department of Planning and Building Fee Schedule for application fees.

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.  

FAQS

Modification to Wireless Communication Facility Application

Your application will not be processed without the following information:

  • A new completed application form
  • One set of modified plans showing existing and proposed configuration
  • Visual Simulations
  • Cumulative Radio Frequency (RF) Report (as applicable)
  • Consent of Property Owner PLN-1012 (as applicable)
 

$506.  Fees can be paid online through the County's PermitSLO Portal.

Once a request for modification is submitted, the application is reviewed to determine if the requested modifications fit within the original approval scope of the project and are consistent with County Code Sections 22.64.050 and 23.02.038.

Modifications which result in substantial changes to project impacts, including visual impacts, may require new discretionary land use permit approval.

  • “Like for like” antenna swaps with little or no increase in the physical dimensions of the existing antennas.
  • Utility trenching to replace existing telecom lines with fiber optic lines. 
  • The addition of ground-mounted equipment cabinets or similar equipment within an existing equipment area.
  • The addition of ground-mounted emergency backup generators
  • The addition of Remote Radio Units (RRUs), Tower Mounted Amplifiers (TMAs), or similar equipment located on the ground, behind existing antennas, or flush-mounted on antenna support structures.
  • The addition of new antennas on stealth or otherwise screened antenna support structures. This could include adding new antennas within a faux water tank, adding antennas on a monopole that is substantially screened or back-dropped by vegetation, or adding antennas to a monopine that is designed with sufficient foliage to completely screen the additional antennas. 

Note that many older stealth structures (monopines, water tanks, etc.) were designed to accommodate no more than six 4-foot tall panel antennas per carrier, and may not be able to sufficiently screen a greater number or size of antennas.

Yes. Send the package, including a check for $506, to:

County Department of Planning and Building

Attn: Wireless Team

976 Osos Street, Room 300

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Processing time is dependent upon application package completeness. Processing generally takes 3 to 4 weeks. Requests to install backup emergency generators will be processed in accordance with the requirements of AB 2421, as applicable.

A wireless facility project modification approval is a letter deeming the proposed modifications in conformance with the original land use permit for the existing facility. The letter often includes “special requirements” that emphasize the original conditions of approval and propose measures to offset the increased visual impacts of the proposed modification. Additional requirements may be added to ensure project consistency with the recommendations of the cumulative radio frequency analysis.

Requests which meet the criteria outlined in California Government Code Section 65850.75, may qualify for concurrent processing. All other modification requests must first receive wireless facility project modification approval (or land use permit approval). 

When you submit for plan check, the wireless facility project modification approval letter and original land use permit conditions of approval must be printed on the project plans.