Small cells are 4G/5G radio equipment set up on streetlights, utility poles, or its own pole. Small cells boost local internet signals and help responding to emergency calls. With more people using smartphones and other connected devices every day, carriers need stronger networks to keep speeds fast and reliable. 

Small cells must fit the FCC definition of "small wireless facilities" in 47 CFR 1.6002.

Public Right-of-Way (ROW) means City owned streets or easements. The public ROW general is the roadway, sidewalks, and a strip of land behind the sidewalk depending on the neighborhood.

No. Under FCC Regulations (47 U.S.C § 332(c)(7)(B)), the City may not prohibit or effectively prohibit wireless communication facilities. In other words, the City may not establish rules, regulations, or processes that would prevent providers from installing their facilities anywhere within the City.

For information about moratoriums of small cells, please see the City Attorney’s memorandum to Public Works dated April 6, 2018 from the Public Works Commission meeting on April 11, 2018.

Local agencies cannot prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting small cells, per the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C § 332(c)(7)(B)(i)(II)). It is illegal for the City to prohibit small cell deployment in residential areas or any other zones as it would violate this federal code. The City must allow wireless service providers to use public right-of-way. 

Pursuant to the City Policy adopted in November 2024, "Restricted Sites" were adopted to provide setbacks from residential, school, and daycare areas. However, these Restricted Sites still may be approved if the applicant provides sufficient justification to grant an exception as outlined in City Policy Section 13.

We are not aware of any cities with an outright prohibition on installations in residential zones. In fact, to do so would violate the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. 

Pursuant to the City Policy adopted in November 2024, "Restricted Sites" were adopted to provide setbacks from residential, school, and daycare areas. However, these restricted sites still may be approved if the applicant provides sufficient justification to grant an exception as outlined in City Policy Section 13.

The RF emissions and limits are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).The FCC provides information about the safety of RF emissions from wireless telecommunications facilities on its website.

The City cannot establish our own RF emission limits per the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C § 332(c)(7)(B)(iv)), “No state or local government or instrumentality thereof may regulate the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such facilities comply with the Commission’s regulations concerning such emission.”

Please see the FCC's Safety FAQ and the Cancer.org Safety Information page. You could also visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Cancer Institute, and the World Health Organization.

Questions about potential RF hazards from FCC-regulated radios can be sent to the Federal Communications Commission, Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau:

455 12^th Street SW
Washington DC, 20554
Phone:  1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL-FCC)
Email: rfsafety@fcc.gov

Yes. Small cells need both a Small Wireless Facility (SWF) permit and an Encroachment (EP) Permit for the installation in the public right-of-way whether they're proposed on a City pole, utility pole, or privately owned pole. An applicant must obtain both a SWF permit and an EP permit prior to installation. The SWF permit approves the small cell the location and appearance . The EP permit approves the construction.

If there is a tree nearby, a Tree Permit may be required from the Department of Parks & Recreation.

Yes. The Department of Public Works reviews each Small Wireless Facility application's proposed design and location for conformance to our Municipal Code and City Policy which provides location and design criteria for small wireless facilities.

Small Cell facilities are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. However, installation of small cell facilities on utility poles, streetlight poles, or freestanding poles are categorically exempt from the CEQA review process pursuant to Sections 15301, 15302, and 15303 of the Guidelines for CEQA.

The City's permits are not required to follow the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process in their review.

After a decision notice is posted, property owners or legal residents within 500-ft of the proposed location of the small wireless facility may file an appeal within the 5-day appeal window. An appeal application is provided on the Small Cell Infrastructure webpage.

All decision notices posted on the City's notice page and the Small Cell newsletter email will have an appeal process guide.

Please see to the City’s Municipal Code Section 17.10.070(g) and City Policy Section 8(d) for more detail of the appeal process.

Streetlight and traffic signal poles are owned and maintained by the City of San Mateo. Wireless service providers that obtain master license agreements with the City are allowed to attach their equipment to City poles after obtaining the appropriate permits. In these cases, the City owns and maintains the streetlight or traffic signal pole while the wireless service provider owns and maintains the small cell equipment.

Most wooden utility poles are owned by the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E). Utility poles may have several owners on a joint pole, including electric, telephone, and cable providers. The City does not regulate who can or cannot attach to these poles.

All wiring for small cell antennas and electric power are owned and maintained by the wireless service provider.

California Public Utility Commission General Order Number 95 clearance requirements and limits on size generally make it hard for multiple carriers to install on the same pole. 

Generally, the installation of the antennas and equipment on the pole and painting (if needed to match equipment to the pole) can be accomplished in a few days.  Sometimes there may be work at ground level to connect power and fiber-optic cables (for network connection) to the pole-mounted equipment and antennas. Scheduling and weather may affect the total duration of construction and installation.

If a neighborhood does not already have a fiber network, then a separate permit is required for a new fiber network (either overhead or underground), and construction typically happens separately from the Small Cell installation.

Yes. Wireless carriers have proposed and deployed small cells in cities throughout the Bay Area. Small Cells have been installed in most San Mateo County agencies.

No. The City only receives permitting and inspection cost-recovery fees from small cell companies and no other financial incentives. 

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) only allows local agencies to charge reasonable cost-recovery fees. The City collects a permit review deposit as adopted in the Master Fee Schedule. This deposit is used to pay for City staff and consultant costs. Additionally, local agencies cannot charge more than $270 per year for any wireless facility attached to our poles. We collect this fee for annual inspection.