October 4, 2017 - Introduced by Senator LeMahieu, cosponsored by Representative
Kuglitsch. Referred to Committee on Elections and Utilities.
SB425,1,4 1An Act to create 66.0404 (4e) and 66.0414 of the statutes; relating to: limiting
2the authority of the state and political subdivisions to regulate certain wireless
3facilities and authorizing political subdivisions to impose setback requirements
4for certain mobile service support structures.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill creates a regulatory framework for the state and political subdivisions
(cities, villages, towns, and counties) for the deployment of wireless equipment and
facilities, including the placement of such items in rights-of-way (ROW), the
collocation of such facilities on existing poles and structures, the regulation of access
to governmental structures by wireless services and infrastructure providers, and
limitations on local authority to regulate such activities. The bill also authorizes
political subdivisions to impose setback requirements for certain mobile service
support structures.
Rights-of-way
With regard to ROW, the bill does the following:
1. Prohibits the state and political subdivisions from entering into an exclusive
agreement with any person for the use of ROW for the construction, operation, or
maintenance of small wireless facilities, wireless support structures, or for the
collocation of small wireless facilities (collectively, wireless facilities and structures).
The bill defines “wireless facility” as equipment at a fixed location that enables
wireless service between user equipment and a wireless network. Under the bill, a
“small wireless facility” is a facility that has specified dimensions.

2. Provides that the state and political subdivisions may impose rates or fees
on wireless providers only if they charge other communications service providers or
utilities for the use of ROW, subject to a number of conditions and limitations.
3. Subject to a number of exceptions, and notwithstanding a political
subdivision's zoning ordinances, authorizes a wireless provider to collocate small
wireless facilities and construct, modify, maintain, and operate (collectively,
construct and operate) utility poles, wireless support structures, cable, and related
appurtenances and facilities along, across, upon, and under ROW, provided such
activity does not obstruct or hinder travel, drainage, maintenance, or the public
health or safety or impede other uses of ROW by communications service providers,
public utilities, or cooperatives.
4. Limits the height of utility poles, wireless support structures, and small
wireless facilities. With regard to the rights of a wireless provider to construct small
wireless facilities or modify utility poles, wireless support structures, and related
appurtenances, the bill allows a political subdivision to propose an alternate location
within 50 feet of the proposed location, which the wireless provider must use if it has
the right to do so and the alternate location is reasonable and does not impose
additional cost or technical issues, as determined by the wireless provider.
5. Allows the state or political subdivisions to require a wireless provider to
repair all damage that is directly caused by its activities in ROW that involve small
wireless facilities and structures.
Collocation
With regard to the activities of a wireless provider within and outside a ROW,
the bill does the following:
1. Subject to a number of exceptions, prohibits the state and political
subdivisions from prohibiting, regulating, or charging any person for the collocation
of small wireless facilities.
2. Notwithstanding a political subdivision's zoning ordinances, classifies small
wireless facilities as a permitted use that is not subject to such zoning ordinances if
they are collocated in or outside a ROW if the property is not zoned exclusively for
single-family residential use.
3. Subject to a number of conditions, authorizes the state and political
subdivisions to require an application for a permit to collocate a small wireless
facility and to construct and operate a new or replacement utility pole or wireless
support structure if the permit is of general applicability and does not apply
exclusively to wireless facilities. The bill imposes various deadlines relating to the
permit application and approval process. Generally, permits for collocation or
replacement must be approved or denied within 60 days of receipt, and permits that
involve new wireless facilities and structures must be approved or denied within 90
days of receipt. However, those deadlines may be extended by mutual agreement.
If the state or a political subdivision misses a deadline for an application, the bill
allows the applicant to consider the application approved.
4. Requires the state or political subdivisions to approve permit applications
unless the application does not meet applicable codes, which are defined as state
codes related to electrical wiring, plumbing, and fire prevention; commercial

building codes; uniform dwelling codes; and local amendments to those codes.
However, the bill allows the state or a political subdivision to condition approval of
a permit on compliance with reasonable and nondiscriminatory relocation,
abandonment, or bonding requirements that are consistent with state law applicable
to other occupiers of ROW.
5. Prohibits the state and political subdivisions from requiring an applicant to
perform services unrelated to the collocation to which a permit relates, and prohibits
such governmental units from requiring a wireless provider permit applicant to
provide more information in its permit application than the governmental unit
requires of communications service providers for the same type of permit.
6. Requires an applicant whose permit application is approved to commence
the activity authorized by the permit within 365 days after its receipt and requires
the applicant to pursue work on the activity until completion. However, the bill
prohibits the state and political subdivisions from placing any time limit on an
application related to the permit.
7. Prohibits the state and political subdivisions from imposing a moratorium
on filing, receiving, or processing applications, or issuing permits for the collocation
of small wireless facilities.
8. Authorizes a political subdivision to enact an ordinance to prohibit, in a
nondiscriminatory way, a communications service provider from installing
structures in the ROW of a historic district or an area in which underground utilities
are located, except that the ordinance may not prohibit collocations or the
replacement of existing structures. In addition, such an ordinance had to have been
in effect on or before January 1, 2014.
9. Subject to a number of conditions, authorizes the state and political
subdivisions to charge an application fee for permits if an application fee is required
for similar types of permit applications related to other types of commercial
development. Generally, neither the state nor a political subdivision may require
applications, permits, or fees for routine maintenance; the replacement of small
wireless facilities with substantially similar or smaller facilities; or installation,
maintenance, operation, or replacement of microwireless facilities strung on cables
between existing utility poles or wireless support structures.
Access to governmental structures
With regard to regulating access to governmental structures, the bill does the
following:
1. Defines “governmental pole” as a utility pole that is owned or operated by
the state or a political subdivision in a ROW, and a pole or similar structure owned
or operated by the state or a political subdivision in a ROW that supports only
wireless facilities.
2. Defines “utility pole for designated services” (UPDS) as a utility pole owned
or operated in a ROW by the state or a political subdivision or a utility district.
3. Prohibits a person who owns or controls a governmental pole or UPDS from
entering into an exclusive arrangement with any person for the right to attach to or
use such poles, and prohibits the owner of such poles from imposing fees or charges

for the use of the poles that discriminate based on the type of collocation provided by
the person who contracts to use the poles.
4. Provides that the rate a political subdivision may charge for collocating a
small wireless facility on a UPDS is governed by agreement between the political
subdivision and a wireless provider and provides that, if no agreement is reached,
the rate is subject to the Public Service Commission's authority under current law.
5. Subject to a number of conditions, limits the rate an owner of a governmental
pole, other than a UPDS, charges another person to collocate on the pole to an
amount that is sufficient to recover the owner's actual, direct, and reasonable costs,
subject to a maximum of $100 per pole per year.
6. Specifies deadlines for the state and political subdivisions to make available
rates, fees, and terms for collocation of small wireless facilities on governmental
poles that comply with the bill's requirements and to amend existing agreements
relating to collocation in the ROW.
7. Provides that a person who owns or controls a governmental pole other than
a UPDS may not require more make-ready work than required to meet applicable
codes or industry standards, and prohibits fees for make-ready work from including
costs related to preexisting conditions, prior damage, or noncompliance with current
standards. Such fees may not exceed actual costs or the amount charged to other
communications service providers for similar work.
8. Requires the state and political subdivisions to authorize the collocation of
small wireless facilities on wireless support structures and governmental poles that
are not located within ROW to the same extent that the governmental unit permits
access to such structures for other commercial projects or uses.
Local authority, dispute resolution
With regard to the authority of a political subdivision, the bill does the
following:
1. Subject to the limitations contained in the bill, and federal law, authorizes
a political subdivision to exercise zoning, land use, planning, and permitting
authority with respect to wireless support structures and utility poles.
2. In general, prohibits a political subdivision from exercising authority over
the design, engineering, construction, installation, or operation of any small wireless
facility located inside or on the site of any campus, stadium, or athletic facility not
owned or controlled by the political subdivision.
3. Limits regulatory authority over the placement or operation of
communications facilities in a ROW by entities authorized to operate in the ROW on
the bill's effective date or by the wireless provider affiliates of such entities.
4. Provides a mechanism for political subdivisions to allow the placement of a
small wireless facility or wireless support structure at a temporary rate pending the
resolution of a ROW dispute.
Indemnification
In general, the bill requires a wireless provider to indemnify and hold harmless
a political subdivision for any liability and loss from personal injury or property
damage that results from the use or occupancy of ROW by the wireless provider, and

requires a wireless provider to waive any claims it may have against a political
subdivision with respect to damages, however caused, based on the theory of liability.
Setback requirements for a mobile service support structure
Generally, under current law, a political subdivision may not impose a setback
requirement for a mobile service support structure. This bill grants a political
subdivision limited authority to impose a setback requirement on the placement of
such a structure with regard to new or substantially modified structures. Under the
bill, a requirement could apply only to a structure that is constructed on land that
is zoned for only single-family residential use or on adjacent land. In addition, the
setback requirement must be based on the height of the proposed structure, and the
requirement may not exceed the height of the proposed structure. The bill also
provides, however, that a setback requirement does not apply to an existing or new
utility pole, or wireless support structure that supports small wireless facilities, if
the pole or facility meets the height limitations specified in the bill for such a pole
or facility.
Also under the bill, a political subdivision must allow a setback of a proposed
mobile service support structure that is less than the height of the structure if all
property owners of lots zoned for only single-family residential use, located within
a radius of three times the height of the structure, consent to such placement.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB425,1 1Section 1. 66.0404 (4e) of the statutes is created to read:
SB425,5,62 66.0404 (4e) Setback requirements. (a) Notwithstanding sub. (4) (r), and
3subject to the provisions of this subsection, a political subdivision may enact an
4ordinance imposing setback requirements related to the placement of a mobile
5service support structure that applies to new construction or the substantial
6modification of facilities and support structures, as described in sub. (2).
SB425,6,27 (b) A setback requirement may apply only to a mobile service support structure
8that is constructed on or adjacent to a parcel of land that is subject to a zoning
9ordinance that permits only single-family residential use on that parcel. A setback
10requirement does not apply to an existing or new utility pole, or wireless support

1structure in a right-of-way that supports a small wireless facility, if the pole or
2facility meets the height limitations in s. 66.0414 (2) (e) 2. and 3.
SB425,6,63 (c) The setback requirement under par. (b) for a mobile service support
4structure on a parcel shall be measured from the lot lines of other adjacent and
5non-adjacent parcels zoned for only single-family residential use or for which only
6single-family residential use is a permitted use.
SB425,6,107 (d) A setback requirement must be based on the height of the proposed mobile
8service support structure, and the setback requirement may not be a distance that
9is greater than the height of the proposed structure and, subject to par. (e), may be
10a distance that is less than the height of the proposed structure.
SB425,6,1511 (e) A political subdivision shall allow a setback of a proposed mobile service
12support structure that is less than the height of the proposed structure if all property
13owners of lots that are zoned for only single-family residential use, that are located
14within a radius of 3 times the height of the proposed structure, consent in writing to
15such placement of the proposed structure.
SB425,2 16Section 2. 66.0414 of the statutes is created to read:
SB425,6,17 1766.0414 Small wireless facilities. (1) Definitions. In this section:
SB425,6,1918 (a) “Antenna” means communications equipment that transmits and receives
19electromagnetic radio signals and is used in the provision of wireless services.
SB425,6,2520 (b) “Applicable codes” means the state electrical wiring code, as defined in s.
21101.80 (4), the state plumbing code specified in s. 145.13, the fire prevention code
22under ch. SPS 314, Wis. adm. code, the Wisconsin commercial building code under
23chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin uniform dwelling code under chs. SPS 320 to 325,
24and local amendments to those codes enacted solely to address imminent threats of
25destruction of property or injury to persons.
SB425,7,1
1(c) “Applicant” means a wireless provider that submits an application.
SB425,7,42 (d) “Application” means an application for a permit under this section to
3collocate a small wireless facility or to install or modify a utility pole or wireless
4support structure.
SB425,7,75 (e) “Collocate” or “collocation” means the placement, mounting, replacement,
6modification, operation, or maintenance of a wireless facility on or adjacent to a
7wireless support structure or utility pole.
SB425,7,108 (f) “Communications service provider” means a cable operator, as defined in 47
9USC 522
(5); a provider of information service, as defined in 47 USC 153 (24); a
10telecommunications carrier, as defined in 47 USC 153 (51); or a wireless provider.
SB425,7,1111 (g) “Fee” means a one-time charge.
SB425,7,1512 (h) “Governmental pole” means a utility pole that is owned or operated by the
13state or by a political subdivision in a right-of-way, and a pole or similar structure
14owned or operated by the state or a political subdivision in a right-of-way that
15supports only wireless facilities.
SB425,7,1916 (i) “Investor-owned electric utility” means a public utility whose purpose is the
17generation, transmission, delivery, or furnishing of electric power but does not
18include a public utility owned and operated wholly by a municipality or a cooperative
19association organized under ch. 185.
SB425,7,2220 (j) “Microwireless facility” means a small wireless facility that does not exceed
2124 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches in height and that has no
22exterior antenna longer than 11 inches.
SB425,7,2423 (k) “Permit” means written authorization required by the state or a political
24subdivision to perform an action, or initiate, continue, or complete a project.
SB425,7,2525 (L) “Political subdivision” means any city, village, town, or county.
SB425,8,1
1(m) “Rate” means a recurring charge.
SB425,8,72 (n) “Right-of-way” means the area on, below, or above a highway, as defined
3in s. 340.01 (22), other than a federal interstate highway; sidewalk; utility easement,
4other than a utility easement for a cooperative association organized under ch. 185
5for purposes of providing or furnishing heat, light, power, or water to its members
6only; or other similar property, including property owned or controlled by the
7department of transportation.
SB425,8,98 (o) “Small wireless facility” means a wireless facility to which all of the
9following apply:
SB425,8,1210 1. Each antenna is located inside an enclosure of no more than 6 cubic feet or,
11in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, the antenna and all of its
12exposed elements could fit within an enclosure of no more than 6 cubic feet.
SB425,8,1813 2. All other wireless equipment associated with the facility is cumulatively no
14more than 28 cubic feet, except that when calculating the allowable volume for
15purposes of this subdivision, an electric meter, concealment elements, a
16telecommunications demarcation box, a ground-based enclosure, a power transfer
17switch, and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services may
18not be included.
SB425,8,2219 (p) “Utility pole” means a structure that is used in whole or in part by a
20communications service provider or for electric distribution, lighting, traffic control,
21signage, or a similar function but does not include a structure that supports only a
22wireless facility.
SB425,9,223 (q) “Utility pole for designated services” means a utility pole owned or operated
24in a right-of-way by the state, a political subdivision, or a utility district that is

1designed to, or used to, carry electric distribution lines, or cables or wires for
2telecommunications, cable, or electric service.
SB425,9,73 (r) “Wireless facility” means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless
4service between user equipment and a wireless network, not including the structure
5or improvements on, under, or within which the equipment is collocated. “ Wireless
6facility” includes a small wireless facility. “Wireless facility” does not include any of
7the following:
SB425,9,88 1. A wireline backhaul facility.
SB425,9,119 2. Coaxial or fiber-optic cable between utility poles or wireless support
10structures or otherwise not immediately adjacent to or directly associated with a
11particular antenna.
SB425,9,1412 (s) “Wireless infrastructure provider” means any person, other than a wireless
13services provider, that builds or installs wireless communication transmission
14equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures.
SB425,9,1615 (t) “Wireless provider” means a wireless infrastructure provider or a wireless
16services provider.
SB425,9,1917 (u) “Wireless services” means any service using licensed or unlicensed wireless
18spectrum, including the use of a Wi-Fi network, whether at a fixed location or by
19means of a mobile device, that is provided using wireless facilities.
SB425,9,2120 (v) “Wireless services provider” means any person who provides wireless
21services.
SB425,9,2422 (w) “Wireless support structure” means an existing pole or other freestanding
23structure, other than a utility pole, that is designed to support, or capable of
24supporting, wireless facilities.
SB425,10,2
1(x) “Wireline backhaul facility” means a facility for providing wireline backhaul
2service.
SB425,10,43 (y) “Wireline backhaul service” means the transport of communications
4services by wire from wireless facilities to a network.
SB425,10,6 5(2) Rights-of-way. (a) Applicability. This subsection applies only to the
6activities of a wireless provider within a right-of-way.
SB425,10,107 (b) Exclusive use prohibited. Neither the state nor a political subdivision may
8enter into an exclusive arrangement with any person for the use of a right-of-way
9for the construction, operation, marketing, maintenance, or collocation of small
10wireless facilities or wireless support structures.
SB425,10,1711 (c) Rates and fees. The state or a political subdivision may charge a wireless
12provider a rate or fee for the use a right-of-way with respect to the construction or
13collocation of a small wireless facility or wireless support structure in the
14right-of-way only if the state or political subdivision charges other communications
15service providers or utilities for the use of the right-of-way. If the state or a political
16subdivision charges a wireless provider a rate or fee as described in this paragraph,
17all of the following apply:
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