Small Cell Permitting
Small cells are compact, low-powered cellular antennas installed and operated by telecommunications providers to enhance mobile coverage and capacity, initially targeting 4G LTE needs and evolving to support 5G as technology advances.
In Fort Collins, deploying small cells in the public right-of-way requires coordination with City departments and adherence to permitting standards designed to balance improved connectivity with community aesthetics, infrastructure safety, and compliance with federal, state and local regulations. This page walks you through the permitting process for small cell development.
The documents on this page are provided for printing purposes. For Digital Accessibility concerns, please contact the City's ADA Coordinator via email adacoordinator@fortcollins.gov or phone: 970-416-4254.
Pre-conversations or meetings prior to submitting the application does not start the shot clock.
Quick Links
To build or install a small cell communications facility in a public highway or City right-of-way, you may need several permits and approvals. The Small Cell Encroachment Permit application does not replace these requirements.
1. Get permits from other agencies (if applicable)
If your project involves property owned or has jurisdiction by another entity, you must first get their permits and approvals. This may include:
- Public or private easements
- Railroad rights-of-way
- Irrigation ditches
- Unincorporated land
- State of Colorado rights-of-way
You must submit proof of these permits with your application.
2. Coordinate with City departments for collocation projects
If you are mounting an antenna on an existing City structure (collocation), you must contact:
Do this before submitting your application to coordinate structural assessment and determine if the structure can support the attachment.
Collocation means mounting or installing an antenna facility on a pre-existing structure, and/or modifying a structure for the purpose of mounting or installing an antenna facility on that structure.
3. Get other City permits if your work affects roads or parking
- Work Area Traffic Control (WATC) Permit: Required if your work will be in the roadway. Apply through the City's Traffic Operations Department prior to construction.
- Parking Obstruction Permit: Required if you will use or block a public street to maintain, erect or construct a small cell facility or for any reason not listed. Apply through the Parking Services Department.
Apply for a Small Cell Permit
Follow these steps to apply for a Small Cell Encroachment Permit:
Step 1: Check your eligibility and project limits
- Each licensee under a Wireless Network Master License Agreement can apply for up to five pole or attachment locations per week. This allows City staff to provide customers with an adequate review of their applications to ensure they're complete and meet City requirements.
- This limit includes applications from contractors or agents.
- You must submit one application per location.
Step 2: Prepare your application package
Include:
Step 3: Submit your application
- Email your complete application to smallcell@fortcollins.gov.
- Submit by Monday at 12 p.m. (Mountain Time) for initial routing and review.
- Applications sent to other email addresses will not be considered.
- Shot clock begins on Mondays (including holidays).
Step 4: City review
- Notice of complete or incomplete applications will be sent through email by end of business on Wednesday of the following week.
- Review timelines (“shot clock”):
- 60 working days for approval of communications facility (CF) attachment(s) on existing pole(s), or on new CF pole location(s)
Step 5: Construction requirements
- All work in the public highway or City right-of-way must be done by licensed, bonded and insured contractors approved by the City's Engineering Department and other applicable departments.
- Work without a valid permit or by an unlicensed contractor will be removed at the expense of the Permittee/Applicant/Owner and may result in penalties.
Step 6: Permit validity and extensions
- Permits are valid for one year from approval.
- You may request a one-year extension. Expired extensions require a new application and review.
- Pre-conversations or meetings prior to submitting the application does not start the shot clock.
How to Pay
- Submit all fees with your application. Applications without payment will not be reviewed and will be considered incomplete.
- Pay by credit card (call 970-416-2740, Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; have your bmisc ID number ready) or pay by check at submission.
- All fees are nonrefundable after submission.
Fee Schedule
- New pole construction or existing pole replacement: $2,120 per pole
- Replacement of existing pole attachments: $500 for up to five CF attachments; $100 for each additional attachment
- Encroachment permit amendment: $100 per attachment change
Resubmittals
- If your application is deemed incomplete twice or resubmitted after the 60-day review period, a new application and fee are required.
- If your application is denied at the end of the 60-day review period and you reapply for the same location, a new application and fee are required.
Annual Lease Payment
- Encroachment permit yearly renewal fee: $270 per attachment or new pole, unless your Master License Agreement specifies otherwise.
- Lease payments are invoiced each January.
Pay by check only to:
City of Fort Collins Engineering Department
281 N. College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Utilities and Electric Meter Payments
All utility and electric service payments must be made to the City of Fort Collins and mailed to:
Finance Department
City of Fort Collins
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
Include “Small Cell” and your project location or number on the payment.
FAQs
What are small cells?
Small cells are low-powered antennas installed and operated by private telecommunications providers. Small cells supplement larger cellular networks and improve cellular coverage in small geographic areas. Initially, small cells will meet 4G LTE demands, and later meet 5G demands as technology changes.
Why is a small cell being installed in my neighborhood?
Private telecommunications providers have identified your area as a higher demand area for mobile coverage. The small cell will provide increased wireless coverage in your area.
Where will small cells be located?
Small cells will primarily be located within the public right-of-way, since State of Colorado Statutes state that telecommunications providers have the right to locate small cell facilities on light poles, traffic signals or utility poles in the public right-of-way.
What can the City do about placement near my home?
Telecommunications companies are considered public utilities according to state law. These companies have the right to install their equipment in the public right of way. The City has very limited legal authority to deny a small cell installation, but does have the authority to determine the aesthetics of each installation.
The City is working with telecommunications companies to ensure small cells are collocated on existing streetlights and traffic signals – meaning installation of new poles will be minimized as much as technologically feasible. In areas where this collocation is not possible, the City will work with the telecoms to ensure small cells resemble existing poles in the right of way as much as technologically feasible.
The United States Congress has delegated the regulation of radio frequency emissions strictly to the FCC, and small cells must meet the RF emissions standards that the FCC has in place. The City can't deny permit applications based on RF emissions, but we do ask that telecom companies provide documentation showing they're in compliance with the FCC’s standards before we approve a small cell permit application.
What authority does the City have to regulate telecommunications equipment?
Both federal and state laws limit the City’s legal authority over the placement of telecommunications equipment. Beyond the design standards, the City can regulate based on the aesthetic values of public places, compatibility with the City’s traffic and utility infrastructure, pedestrian and vehicle safety, preservation of historic areas and placement adjacent to public trees. The City can't prevent cellular companies from installing small cells in the public right-of-way.
What steps has the City taken regarding small cell deployment?
The City has developed a Master License Agreement (MLA) for companies installing small cells. The MLA establishes the process by which small cell permit applications will be approved by the City, sets the terms and conditions for the operation and maintenance of the small cell installations and sets general aesthetic requirements for the small cells.
The City has also published small cell design standards on this webpage which require all small cell equipment to be housed within the small cell pole with very limited exceptions. The standards also require poles to resemble the adjacent poles within the right of way, meaning the height, diameter, finish and style will be as close as technologically feasible as the surrounding poles.
What's 5G?
5G stands for 5th Generation mobile network. It's a new global wireless standard following 4G networks, which provide connectivity to most current cellphones. 5G enables a new kind of network designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines, objects and devices.