{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-2316.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-2316.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-2316.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-2316.3.html"}],"law_id":60016,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60016,"structure_id":13557,"section_number":"15.2-2316.3","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"2017, c. 835; 2018, cc. 835, 844.","full_text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Administrative review-eligible project” means a project that provides for:\n\n1\n\nThe installation or construction of a new structure that is not more than 50 feet above ground level, provided that the structure with attached wireless facilities is (i) not more than 10 feet above the tallest existing utility pole located within 500 feet of the new structure within the same public right-of-way or within the existing line of utility poles; (ii) not located within the boundaries of a local, state, or federal historic district; (iii) not located inside the jurisdictional boundaries of a locality having expended a total amount equal to or greater than 35 percent of its general fund operating revenue, as shown in the most recent comprehensive annual financial report, on undergrounding projects since 1980; and (iv) designed to support small cell facilities; or2\n\nThe co-location on any existing structure of a wireless facility that is not a small cell facility.\n\t\t\t“Antenna” means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless communications services.\n\t\t\t“Base station” means a station that includes a structure that currently supports or houses an antenna, transceiver, coaxial cables, power cables, or other associated equipment at a specific site that is authorized to communicate with mobile stations, generally consisting of radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial cables, power supplies, and other associated electronics.\n\t\t\t“Co-locate” means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a wireless facility on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station, building, existing structure, utility pole, or wireless support structure. “Co-location” has a corresponding meaning.\n\t\t\t“Department” means the Department of Transportation.\n\t\t\t“Existing structure” means any structure that is installed or approved for installation at the time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider provides notice to a locality or the Department of an agreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate equipment on that structure. “Existing structure” includes any structure that is currently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the attachment of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles, light poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers.\n\t\t\t“Micro-wireless facility” means a small cell facility that is not larger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches in height and that has an exterior antenna, if any, not longer than 11 inches.\n\t\t\t“New structure” means a wireless support structure that has not been installed or constructed, or approved for installation or construction, at the time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider applies to a locality for any required zoning approval.\n\t\t\t“Project” means (i) the installation or construction by a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider of a new structure or (ii) the co-location on any existing structure of a wireless facility that is not a small cell facility. “Project” does not include the installation of a small cell facility by a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider on an existing structure to which the provisions of § 15.2-2316.4 apply.\n\t\t\t“Small cell facility” means a wireless facility that meets both of the following qualifications: (i) each antenna is located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and (ii) all other wireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal Communications Commission. The following types of associated equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment, telecommunications demarcation boxes, back-up power systems, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.\n\t\t\t“Standard process project” means any project other than an administrative review-eligible project.\n\t\t\t“Utility pole” means a structure owned, operated, or owned and operated by a public utility, local government, or the Commonwealth that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for communications, cable television, or electricity.\n\t\t\t“Water tower” means a water storage tank, or a standpipe or an elevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as a reservoir or facility to store or deliver water.\n\t\t\t“Wireless facility” means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless communications between user equipment and a communications network, including (i) equipment associated with wireless services, such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and (ii) radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial, or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.\n\t\t\t“Wireless infrastructure provider” means any person that builds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures, but that is not a wireless services provider.\n\t\t\t“Wireless services” means (i) “personal wireless services” as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (ii) “personal wireless service facilities” as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(ii), including commercial mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(d), provided to personal mobile communication devices through wireless facilities; and (iii) any other fixed or mobile wireless service, using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, provided using wireless facilities.\n\t\t\t“Wireless services provider” means a provider of wireless services.\n\t\t\t“Wireless support structure” means a freestanding structure, such as a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing structure or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting wireless facilities. “Wireless support structure” does not include any telephone or electrical utility pole or any tower used for the distribution or transmission of electrical service.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":219701,"text":"As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Administrative review-eligible project” means a project that provides for:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":219702,"text":"The installation or construction of a new structure that is not more than 50 feet above ground level, provided that the structure with attached wireless facilities is (i) not more than 10 feet above the tallest existing utility pole located within 500 feet of the new structure within the same public right-of-way or within the existing line of utility poles; (ii) not located within the boundaries of a local, state, or federal historic district; (iii) not located inside the jurisdictional boundaries of a locality having expended a total amount equal to or greater than 35 percent of its general fund operating revenue, as shown in the most recent comprehensive annual financial report, on undergrounding projects since 1980; and (iv) designed to support small cell facilities; or","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":219703,"text":"The co-location on any existing structure of a wireless facility that is not a small cell facility.\n\t\t\t“Antenna” means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless communications services.\n\t\t\t“Base station” means a station that includes a structure that currently supports or houses an antenna, transceiver, coaxial cables, power cables, or other associated equipment at a specific site that is authorized to communicate with mobile stations, generally consisting of radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial cables, power supplies, and other associated electronics.\n\t\t\t“Co-locate” means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a wireless facility on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station, building, existing structure, utility pole, or wireless support structure. “Co-location” has a corresponding meaning.\n\t\t\t“Department” means the Department of Transportation.\n\t\t\t“Existing structure” means any structure that is installed or approved for installation at the time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider provides notice to a locality or the Department of an agreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate equipment on that structure. “Existing structure” includes any structure that is currently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the attachment of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles, light poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers.\n\t\t\t“Micro-wireless facility” means a small cell facility that is not larger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches in height and that has an exterior antenna, if any, not longer than 11 inches.\n\t\t\t“New structure” means a wireless support structure that has not been installed or constructed, or approved for installation or construction, at the time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider applies to a locality for any required zoning approval.\n\t\t\t“Project” means (i) the installation or construction by a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider of a new structure or (ii) the co-location on any existing structure of a wireless facility that is not a small cell facility. “Project” does not include the installation of a small cell facility by a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider on an existing structure to which the provisions of § 15.2-2316.4 apply.\n\t\t\t“Small cell facility” means a wireless facility that meets both of the following qualifications: (i) each antenna is located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and (ii) all other wireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal Communications Commission. The following types of associated equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment, telecommunications demarcation boxes, back-up power systems, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.\n\t\t\t“Standard process project” means any project other than an administrative review-eligible project.\n\t\t\t“Utility pole” means a structure owned, operated, or owned and operated by a public utility, local government, or the Commonwealth that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for communications, cable television, or electricity.\n\t\t\t“Water tower” means a water storage tank, or a standpipe or an elevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as a reservoir or facility to store or deliver water.\n\t\t\t“Wireless facility” means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless communications between user equipment and a communications network, including (i) equipment associated with wireless services, such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and (ii) radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial, or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.\n\t\t\t“Wireless infrastructure provider” means any person that builds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures, but that is not a wireless services provider.\n\t\t\t“Wireless services” means (i) “personal wireless services” as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (ii) “personal wireless service facilities” as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(ii), including commercial mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(d), provided to personal mobile communication devices through wireless facilities; and (iii) any other fixed or mobile wireless service, using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, provided using wireless facilities.\n\t\t\t“Wireless services provider” means a provider of wireless services.\n\t\t\t“Wireless support structure” means a freestanding structure, such as a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing structure or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting wireless facilities. “Wireless support structure” does not include any telephone or electrical utility pole or any tower used for the distribution or transmission of electrical service.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13557,"edition_id":1,"name":"Zoning for Wireless Communications Infrastructure","identifier":"7.2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12774,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:13","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:13","permalink":{"id":155489,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13557,"identifier":"7.2","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12774,"edition_id":1,"name":"Planning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning","identifier":"22","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":154795,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12774,"identifier":"22","token":"15.2\/II\/22","url":"\/15.2\/II\/22\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":60016,"structure_id":13557,"section_number":"15.2-2316.3","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-2316.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.3","metadata":false},{"id":54520,"structure_id":13557,"section_number":"15.2-2316.4","catch_line":"Zoning; small cell facilities","url":"\/15.2-2316.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.4","metadata":false},{"id":59194,"structure_id":13557,"section_number":"15.2-2316.4:1","catch_line":"Zoning; other wireless facilities and wireless support structures","url":"\/15.2-2316.4_1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.4_1","metadata":false},{"id":79533,"structure_id":13557,"section_number":"15.2-2316.4:2","catch_line":"Application reviews","url":"\/15.2-2316.4_2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.4_2","metadata":false},{"id":66633,"structure_id":13557,"section_number":"15.2-2316.4:3","catch_line":"Additional provisions","url":"\/15.2-2316.4_3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.4_3","metadata":false},{"id":55768,"structure_id":13557,"section_number":"15.2-2316.5","catch_line":"Moratorium prohibited","url":"\/15.2-2316.5\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.5","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":54520,"structure_id":13557,"section_number":"15.2-2316.4","catch_line":"Zoning; small cell facilities","url":"\/15.2-2316.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.4","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-2316.3\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 835<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2018, chapters 835<\/a> and 844<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":54520,"section_number":"15.2-2316.4","catch_line":"Zoning; small cell facilities","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2316.4\/"}],"permalink":{"id":155491,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60016,"identifier":"15.2-2316.3","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.3","url":"\/15.2-2316.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2316.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/7.2\/15.2-2316.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2316.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Administrative review-eligible project<\/span>” means a project that provides for:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The installation or construction of a new structure<\/span> that is not more than 50 feet above ground level, provided that the structure with attached wireless facilities is (i) not more than 10 feet above the tallest existing utility pole<\/span> located within 500 feet of the new structure<\/span> within the same public right-of-way or within the existing line of utility poles<\/span>; (ii) not located within the boundaries of a local, state, or federal historic district; (iii) not located inside the jurisdictional boundaries of a locality<\/span> having expended a total amount equal to or greater than 35 percent of its general fund operating revenue, as shown in the most recent comprehensive annual financial report, on undergrounding projects<\/span> since 1980; and (iv) designed to support small cell facilities; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The co-location<\/span> on any existing structure<\/span> of a wireless facility<\/span> that is not a small cell facility<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Antenna<\/span>” means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless communications services.\n\t\t\t“Base station<\/span>” means a station that includes a structure that currently supports or houses an antenna<\/span>, transceiver, coaxial cables, power cables, or other associated equipment at a specific site that is authorized to communicate with mobile stations, generally consisting of radio transceivers, antennas<\/span>, coaxial cables, power supplies, and other associated electronics.\n\t\t\t“Co-locate<\/span>” means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a wireless facility<\/span> on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station<\/span>, building, existing structure<\/span>, utility pole<\/span>, or wireless support structure<\/span>. “Co-location<\/span>” has a corresponding meaning.\n\t\t\t“Department<\/span>” means the Department<\/span> of Transportation.\n\t\t\t“Existing structure<\/span>” means any structure that is installed or approved for installation at the time a wireless services provider<\/span> or wireless infrastructure provider<\/span> provides notice to a locality<\/span> or the Department<\/span> of an agreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate<\/span> equipment on that structure. “Existing structure<\/span>” includes any structure that is currently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the attachment<\/span> of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles<\/span>, light poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Micro-wireless facility<\/span><\/span>” means a small cell facility<\/span> that is not larger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches in height and that has an exterior antenna<\/span>, if any, not longer than 11 inches.\n\t\t\t“New structure<\/span>” means a wireless support structure<\/span> that has not been installed or constructed, or approved for installation or construction, at the time a wireless services provider<\/span> or wireless infrastructure provider<\/span> applies to a locality<\/span> for any required zoning<\/span> approval.\n\t\t\t“Project” means (i) the installation or construction by a wireless services provider<\/span> or wireless infrastructure provider<\/span> of a new structure<\/span> or (ii) the co-location<\/span> on any existing structure<\/span> of a wireless facility<\/span> that is not a small cell facility<\/span>. “Project” does not include the installation of a small cell facility<\/span> by a wireless services provider<\/span> or wireless infrastructure provider<\/span> on an existing structure<\/span> to which the provisions of § 15.2-2316.4<\/a> apply.\n\t\t\t“Small cell facility<\/span>” means a wireless facility<\/span> that meets both of the following qualifications: (i) each antenna<\/span> is located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna<\/span> that has exposed elements, the antenna<\/span> and all of its exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and (ii) all other wireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal Communications Commission. The following types of associated equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment, telecommunications demarcation boxes, back-up power systems, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.\n\t\t\t“Standard process project<\/span>” means any project other than an administrative review-eligible project<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Utility pole<\/span>” means a structure owned, operated, or owned and operated by a public utility, local government<\/span>, or the Commonwealth that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for communications, cable television, or electricity.\n\t\t\t“Water tower<\/span>” means a water storage tank, or a standpipe or an elevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as a reservoir or facility to store or deliver water.\n\t\t\t“Wireless facility<\/span>” means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless communications between user equipment and a communications network, including (i) equipment associated with wireless services, such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and (ii) radio transceivers, antennas<\/span>, coaxial, or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.\n\t\t\t“Wireless infrastructure provider<\/span>” means any person that builds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures<\/span>, but that is not a wireless services provider<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Wireless services” means (i) “personal wireless services<\/span>” as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (ii) “personal wireless service facilities<\/span>” as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(ii), including commercial mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(d), provided to personal mobile communication devices through wireless facilities; and (iii) any other fixed or mobile wireless service, using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, provided using wireless facilities.\n\t\t\t“Wireless services provider<\/span>” means a provider of wireless services.\n\t\t\t“Wireless support structure<\/span>” means a freestanding structure, such as a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing structure<\/span> or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting wireless facilities. “Wireless support structure<\/span>” does not include any telephone or electrical utility pole<\/span> or any tower used for the distribution or transmission of electrical service. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 15.2-2316.3)\n\nAs used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Administrative review-eligible project” means a project that\nprovides for:\n\n1. The installation or construction of a new structure that is not more than 50\nfeet above ground level, provided that the structure with attached wireless\nfacilities is (i) not more than 10 feet above the tallest existing utility pole\nlocated within 500 feet of the new structure within the same public right-of-way\nor within the existing line of utility poles; (ii) not located within the\nboundaries of a local, state, or federal historic district; (iii) not located\ninside the jurisdictional boundaries of a locality having expended a total\namount equal to or greater than 35 percent of its general fund operating\nrevenue, as shown in the most recent comprehensive annual financial report, on\nundergrounding projects since 1980; and (iv) designed to support small cell\nfacilities; or\n\n2. The co-location on any existing structure of a wireless facility that is not\na small cell facility.\n\t\t\t“Antenna” means communications equipment that transmits or\nreceives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of\nwireless communications services.\n\t\t\t“Base station” means a station that includes a structure that\ncurrently supports or houses an antenna, transceiver, coaxial cables, power\ncables, or other associated equipment at a specific site that is authorized to\ncommunicate with mobile stations, generally consisting of radio transceivers,\nantennas, coaxial cables, power supplies, and other associated electronics.\n\t\t\t“Co-locate” means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate,\nor replace a wireless facility on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station,\nbuilding, existing structure, utility pole, or wireless support structure.\n“Co-location” has a corresponding meaning.\n\t\t\t“Department” means the Department of Transportation.\n\t\t\t“Existing structure” means any structure that is installed or\napproved for installation at the time a wireless services provider or wireless\ninfrastructure provider provides notice to a locality or the Department of an\nagreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate equipment on that\nstructure. “Existing structure” includes any structure that is\ncurrently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the\nattachment of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles,\nlight poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers.\n\t\t\t“Micro-wireless facility” means a small cell facility that is not\nlarger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches\nin height and that has an exterior antenna, if any, not longer than 11 inches.\n\t\t\t“New structure” means a wireless support structure that has not\nbeen installed or constructed, or approved for installation or construction, at\nthe time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider\napplies to a locality for any required zoning approval.\n\t\t\t“Project” means (i) the installation or construction by a\nwireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider of a new\nstructure or (ii) the co-location on any existing structure of a wireless\nfacility that is not a small cell facility. “Project” does not\ninclude the installation of a small cell facility by a wireless services\nprovider or wireless infrastructure provider on an existing structure to which\nthe provisions of § 15.2-2316.4 apply.\n\t\t\t“Small cell facility” means a wireless facility that meets both\nof the following qualifications: (i) each antenna is located inside an enclosure\nof no more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna that has\nexposed elements, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit within\nan imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and (ii) all other\nwireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no\nmore than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal\nCommunications Commission. The following types of associated equipment are not\nincluded in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment,\ntelecommunications demarcation boxes, back-up power systems, grounding\nequipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and vertical cable runs\nfor the connection of power and other services.\n\t\t\t“Standard process project” means any project other than an\nadministrative review-eligible project.\n\t\t\t“Utility pole” means a structure owned, operated, or owned and\noperated by a public utility, local government, or the Commonwealth that is\ndesigned specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for\ncommunications, cable television, or electricity.\n\t\t\t“Water tower” means a water storage tank, or a standpipe or an\nelevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as\na reservoir or facility to store or deliver water.\n\t\t\t“Wireless facility” means equipment at a fixed location that\nenables wireless communications between user equipment and a communications\nnetwork, including (i) equipment associated with wireless services, such as\nprivate, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless\nservices and fixed wireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and (ii) radio\ntransceivers, antennas, coaxial, or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power\nsupplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.\n\t\t\t“Wireless infrastructure provider” means any person that builds\nor installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support\nstructures, but that is not a wireless services provider.\n\t\t\t“Wireless services” means (i) “personal wireless\nservices” as defined in 47 U.S.C. § 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (ii)\n“personal wireless service facilities” as defined in 47 U.S.C.\n§ 332(c)(7)(C)(ii), including commercial mobile services as defined in 47\nU.S.C. § 332(d), provided to personal mobile communication devices through\nwireless facilities; and (iii) any other fixed or mobile wireless service, using\nlicensed or unlicensed spectrum, provided using wireless facilities.\n\t\t\t“Wireless services provider” means a provider of wireless\nservices.\n\t\t\t“Wireless support structure” means a freestanding structure, such\nas a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing\nstructure or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting\nwireless facilities. “Wireless support structure” does not include\nany telephone or electrical utility pole or any tower used for the distribution\nor transmission of electrical service.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, c. 835; 2018, cc. 835, 844.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}