Small Cell Infrastructure

To regulate the applications for small cell installations from telecommunication companies, the City of San Mateo has established a comprehensive design review and approval process.

Applicants can only propose installation of equipment on existing poles and must work in conjunction with macrocells (cell towers) already in place to provide wireless coverage. Small cell antennas are not stand-alone cell towers.

Project Updates and Information
Sign up to receive email updates regarding small cell infrastructure.

Public_Works_logo

Current Status

During the County of San Mateo’s shelter-in-place health orders, we will not be accepting new telecom permits, with the exception of 6409 permits. We are unable to meet the requirements of our ordinance, requiring neighborhood meetings. We will continue processing permits that were already under review based on our ordinance and design guidelines.

We review telecom permits using the Federal Communications Commission’s guidelines and our own codified ordinance. As of January 2020, there are three companies with Master License Agreements to install small cell facilities in our City. Please reference the small cell map above for additional information on applications currently under review.

What Does a Small Cell Installation Look Like?

The photos below show a small cell installed at the top of the light and utility poles.

SmC
SmC2
  1. Related Documents
  2. Public Meetings
  3. Contact Information

Adopted Ordinance and Design & Engineering Standards

Documents for Telecommunications Applicants

Adopted Fee Schedule

Radio Frequency (RF) Hazard Questions