Radiocommunication Towers

The regulation and approval of radiocommunication towers, antennas and related facilities falls under federal jurisdiction and is governed by the Radiocommunication Act administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Under the authority of the Radiocommunication Act, the ISED developed the Client Procedure Circular CPC-2-0-03 to outline development and licensing requirements for proposed telecommunication facilities. To ensure local compatibility, the ISED requires proponents to obtain Municipal Concurrence and to engage in both municipal and public consultation.

The Township of Puslinch has implemented the Radiocommunication Tower and Antenna Protocol Policy to provide guidance on the municipal approval process for telecommunication towers and antennas.

Pre-consultation

A Pre-consultation Meeting between the applicant, municipality, and other designated authorities shall be required prior to the acceptance of a Formal Application.

Pre-Consultation Meeting Request

The purpose of the Pre-consultation Meeting shall be to identify the information and materials necessary for the processing of an application, which shall be submitted before an application is deemed complete.

The following information is to be submitted as part of the Pre-consultation Meeting Request:

  • Confirmation from all registered property owners in the form of an authorization to support the proposed telecommunications facility on the property.
  • The location of the proposed telecommunications facility, including the municipal address and a map identifying where it is to be situation on the subject property
  • An outline of the proposed telecommunications facility and, if applicable, how it meets one of the exclusion criteria.
  • Set of drawings illustrating the proposal, including a conceptual site plan, elevation drawings, and context plan showing the development within the existing neighbourhood (which can be supplied using an aerial photograph base).
  • Documentation of co-location alternatives considered within a 3 kilometre radius of the proposed site using the National Antenna Information Database to identify candidates and a statement on future co-location possibilities for the support structure.

Note: The Pre-consultation Meeting, and any preceding discussions with the municipality, are not counted towards the 120-day consultation period identified by the ISED. The 120-day consultation period shall not commence until the application is deemed complete.

Commonly Asked Questions

When is Municipal Approval Not Required?

  • New Antenna Systems within a height less than 15 metres above ground level provided the antenna system is not proposed by a telecommunication carrier, broadcasting undertaking or third-party tower owner.
  • Non-tower structures including antennas on buildings, water towers, lamp posts, etc., may be excluded provided that the height above ground is not increased by more than 25%.
  • Temporary antenna systems used for special events or emergency operations, provided they are removed within a three-month timeframe.
  • Routine maintenance of existing telecommunication towers, antennas or related facilities.
  • Transfer of Concurrence is not exempt from the Township’s Pre-consultation process, however, may be excluded from obtaining Municipal Concurrence through a formal application process, subject to the Pre-consultation submissions and findings.

Height is measured from the lowest ground level at the base, including the foundation, to the tallest point of the antenna system. Depending on the installation, the tallest point may be an antenna, lightning rod, aviation obstruction lighting or some other appearance.

Notwithstanding the above, applicants are still required to contact the Township at admin@puslinch.ca if the proposal falls under the exclusion criteria to confirm and obtain written confirmation with the Township, which can then be provided to the ISED.

What are the Requirements for Site Selection?

The proponent shall be encouraged to use existing and/or approved structures wherever possible. This includes sharing an existing or approved telecommunication tower, antenna or related facility, modifying existing structures, and using existing infrastructure such as rooftops, water towers, etc.

Where co-location is not possible, when selecting a site for a new telecommunication tower, the following shall be taken into consideration:

  • Maximizing the distance from residential areas.
  • Distance from public and institutional facilities such as schools, hospitals, community centre, daycare facilities, and senior’s residences.
  • Avoidance of natural features, vegetation, hazard lands (floodplains, steep slopes).
  • Avoiding areas of topological prominence, where possible, to minimize long/short range viewscapes.
  • Compatibility with adjacent land uses.

What are the Design Standards?

Structures shall be designed to minimize visual impact and to avoid disturbance of significant natural features by:

  • Selecting a type and colouring of structure that blends in with the surroundings.
  • Providing landscaping and visual screening where appropriate.
  • Incorporating safety features to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Designing towers and any accessory base stations so that they fit into the context of the surrounding area.
  • Implementing tower designs that mimic other features customarily found in that area, such as trees or flagpoles, where appropriate.
  • Ensuring towers only accommodate telecommunication facilities and that there are no signed or other materials apart from that which is required by the ISED or for safety or identification purposes (e.g. small plaque at the base of the tower), as deemed appropriate by the Township or other authority.

Will I be Notified of an Application?

Notice of a formal application will be provided by regular mail to all property owners located within a radius of three times the tower height, to a minimum of 120 metres, measured from the outside perimeter of the supporting structure.

An advertisement will be posted in the local newspaper and there will be posting of signage on the subject property.

Can I comment on an application?

The public shall be provided with a minimum of 30 days, from the date of the notice, to submit written or verbal comments, including questions and concerns.

More information is provided in section 8.3 of the Radiocommunication Tower and Antenna Protocol Policy.

Submitting an Application

Before submitting a Radiocommunication Tower Application, please make sure you have prepared the necessary submission materials identified in the Township’s Radiocommunication Tower and Antenna Protocol Policy, and have went through the mandatory Pre-consultation process.


Radiocommunication Tower Application Form

Example 23-01-000-000-00000-0000
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 3 files.
Include colour photographs of the subject property, current site conditions, an architectural rendering of the proposed facility in order to demonstrate the visual impacts related to the tower. Drawings should include existing features and buildings, a topographical map or satellite image showing the location and proposed facility. Please note any structures or features that are not identified in the map.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 3 files.
Map shall include the applicant’s current coverage (if applicable) and anticipated coverage with the installation of the proposed facility, including the nearest existing antenna systems belonging to the proponent.

a. The rationale for the selection of the proposed site, indicating whether the location provides coverage and/or capacity, and what areas/communities will benefit from the new facility

b. Justification for the proposed height of the tower

c. How the facility will compliment and become a part of the future community without unduly limiting the potential for future development

d. If applicable, the justification as to why the proponent is not able to comply with the design criteria identified under this Protocol

e. The potential effects that the proposal may have on nearby electronic equipment (both existing and proposed) in accordance with CPC-2-0-03 and EMCAB-2, as well as measures proposed to mitigate those effects.

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 3 files.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 3 files.
Co-location alternatives are to be considered within a 3 kilometre radius of the proposed site using the National Antenna Information Database.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 5 files.
Include the subject lot and lease area, general site grading, location of existing lot lines and setbacks from the proposed facility, setbacks from the proposed facility to existing and proposed buildings, setbacks from the nearest building not on the subject property, measured from the nearest point of the building, structure or feature.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 5 files.
If this information is not available, provide the application to Transport Canada and NAV Canada together with an undertaking to provide those requirements once they become available.
Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 5 files.

Terms and Conditions

I understand that:

The proponent shall be required to pay all applicable processing and review fees. These fees may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the cost incurred by the municipality for the processing of the application such as administration, planning, engineering, and legal fees.

The proponent is required to pay all third party costs and disbursements generated through the application review, including pre-consultation. The proponent will also be responsible for any fees applied by external regulatory agencies, such as the Conservation Authority having jurisdiction, the Ministry of Transportation, The County of Wellington, etc.

Applications will not be processed until the mandatory pre-consultation requirements have been met.

The 120-day consultation period shall not commence until the application is deemed to be complete to the satisfaction of the Township.

Clear Signature