City Recommendations#

Completion of the Application for Small Cell Encroachment on Public Property in a Public Highway/City Right-Of-Way does not substitute for or replace any additional permits or approvals that may be required from the City. Any applicable permits or approvals from affected City departments listed below must be submitted with your complete application.

• The applicant must first obtain the necessary permits and approvals from the entity which owns or has jurisdiction over public or private easements, railroad right-of-way, irrigation ditch, unincorporated land and/or State of Colorado right-of-way. Submission of the executed permits and approvals must be submitted with the application.
  • Applicant seeking collocation* must contact City Electric Utility (L&P) Department and/or City Traffic Operations Department PRIOR to application submission to coordinate structural assessment and determine if structural strengths of subject City structures are sufficient for the proposed attachment(s).
  • If the small cell communications facility project will require work within the roadway a City Traffic Control Permit shall be required and must be applied for through the Traffic Department prior to construction. More information can be found by visiting, fcgov.com/traffic/watc.php
  • If a small cell communications facility project anticipates the use of a public street in connection with the maintenance, erection, construction, or for any reason not listed, a City Parking Obstruction Permit will be required and must be applied for through the Parking Services Department. More information can be found by visiting, fcgov.com/parking/obstructionpermits.php

*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.

General Application Process#

• Each licensee under a wireless network master license agreement from the City may apply for up to five pole or attachment locations, per week, including all applications filed by contractors or agents of such license. This condition will allow City staff to provide its customers adequate review of their applications to ensure they are complete and meet City requirements.
• An application is required for each individual location requested.
• Applications are to be submitted on Mondays by 12:00 p.m. MST to smallcell@fcgov.com for initial routing and review; applications submitted to other emails will not be considered. Notice of complete or incomplete applications will be sent through email by end of business on Wednesday of the following week.
• 60 working days for approval of communications facility (CF) attachment(s) on existing pole(s) or on new CF pole location(s) further referred to as "the shot clock."
• Application must include all submittal requirements as outlined in Chapter 23, Article VII of the Fort Collins Municipal Code, § 23-177, and demonstrate compliance with Divisions 3.8.13 and 3.9.9 of the Fort Collins Code, the requirements of all are incorporated by this reference. The shot clock begins at the time of submittal (Monday (including holidays) at 12 p.m. each week).
• Application must include all submittal requirements as outlined in the city Small Cell Design Guidelines.
• All work in a Public Highway/City ROW must be performed by licensed, bonded, and insured contractors through the Engineering Department and any other applicable departments. Any work performed by unlicensed contractors or without a valid Permit will be removed at the expense of the Permittee/Applicant/Owner and may incur penalties under the Fort Collins Municipal Code.
• Permits will be valid for a period of one year from approval. A one year extension will be granted upon request. If an extension expires, applicants will be required to submit a new application and have the site reviewed again.
• Pre-conversation prior to submitting the application does not trigger the shot clock.
• All fees are to be submitted at the time of application submission. See Payments section below for more information.

Application Requirements#

• Each licensee under a wireless network master license agreement from the City may apply for up to 5 pole or attachment locations, per week, including all applications filed by contractors or agents of such license. This condition will allow City staff to provide its customers adequate review of their applications to ensure they are complete and meet City requirements.
• An application is required for each individual location requested.
• Applications are to be submitted on Mondays by 12:00PM, MST to smallcell@fcgov.com for initial routing & review; applications submitted to other emails will not be Notice of complete or incomplete applications will be sent through email by end of business on Wednesday of the following week.
• 60 working days for approval of communications facility (CF) attachment(s) on existing pole(s), 90 working days for approval of new CF pole location(s).
• Unless applications for collocation (i.e. attaching a CF to any existing support structure such as a utility pole or a building) are filed separately from applications for New CF Pole location(s), the 90-working day approval process applies to any combined multi-site application.
• Application must include all submittal requirements as outlined in Chapter 23, Article VII of the Fort Collins Municipal Code, § 23-177, and demonstrate compliance with Divisions 3.8.13 and 3.9.9 of the Fort Collins Code, the requirements of all are incorporated by this reference.
• Application must include all submittal requirements as outlined in city Small Cell Design Guidelines.
• All work in a Public Highway/City ROW must be performed by licensed, bonded, and insured contractors through the Engineering Department and any other applicable departments. Any work performed by unlicensed contractors or without a valid Permit will be removed at the expense of the Permittee/Applicant/Owner and may incur penalties under the Fort Collins Municipal Code.
• Permits will be valid for a period of one (1) year from approval. A one (1) year extension will be granted upon request. If an extension expires, applicants will be required to submit a new application and have the site reviewed again.
• All fees are to be submitted at the time of application submission. See Payments section below for more information.

Payments and Submittal Fees#

• All fees are to be submitted at the time of application submission. Application submittals absent of fees will not be reviewed by the City and will be deemed incomplete.
• Engineering will be accepting credit card payments for Small Cell applications by calling 970-416-2740 Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Please have your pole ID number available when calling in payments.
• Checks are also accepted for small cell applications at the time of submittal.
• All fees are non-refundable after application submission.
• New pole construction or existing pole replacement: $2,120.00 per pole.
• Replacement of existing pole attachments: $500.00 up to five CF attachments, $100.00 for each additional attachment after five.
• Encroachment Permit Amendment Fee: $100 per attachment change.
• If an application is deemed incomplete twice (two times) or resubmitted after the initial 60-day review period, the applicant will be required to reapply with a new application and fee on the third submittal. If an application is denied at the end of a review period (60-day) and the applicant resubmits at the same location a new application fee will be required.

Annual Lease Payment#

• Encroachment Permit Yearly Renewal Fee: $270 per attachment or new pole installation, unless MLA specifies otherwise
• Lease payments will be invoiced yearly in January of each year. Payment will be submitted to:

                  City of Fort Collins Engineering Department

                  281 N. College Ave.

                  Fort Collins, CO 80524

• Payable by check only

Utilities and Electric Meter#

All fees and payments for Utility and Electric service shall be payable to City of Fort Collins, mailed to:

• Finance Dept.
  City of Fort Collins
  PO Box 580
  Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580

Mailing must reference "Small Cell" and project location or number.