Small Cell Infrastructure Design Standards

Overview

Salt Lake City and cities across Utah will soon see more small cell antennas popping up in neighborhoods to help meet the growing demand for mobile and data services. The small cell facilities will supplement existing cellular facilities such as cell towers.

In its 2018 session, the Utah Legislature passed the Small Wireless Facilities Act, which allows wireless providers to locate small wireless facilities to existing poles or install new poles in Right of Way (ROW) areas. A ROW is essentially the space where the road, curb and gutter, park strip and sidewalks are located. The state law allowing small cell deployment went into effect September 1, 2018.

The law does not allow cities to prohibit the placement of the devices or poles but they can create installation standards (Small Cell Standards Aug-31 Revised Version). The cell antennas may be attached to poles for utilities, traffic signals, street lights and to new free-standing poles. Each device will have an antenna installed at the top of the pole and a radio, power line and meter that may be attached to the pole or near it.

To learn more about small cells, read our Small Cell FAQs

Providers shall consider the aesthetics of the existing street lights and other City infrastructure near proposed small cell locations, with special attention given to the details of neighborhoods with unique street light assemblies. Unique assemblies may include mast arms, decorative pole bases, architectural luminaries, mounting heights, pole colors, etc.

If you have questions or concerns about a small cell installation in front of your residence or business you can contact the provider directly. All installations are required to have labels identifying the provider and a 24 hour contact number. Providers can work with you to address your questions and concerns.