HB4877 Summary

• Amends the Counties Code to authorize county boards to regulate the location of telecommunications carrier and AM broadcast station facilities in unincorporated county areas outside municipal zoning jurisdictions.

• Establishes detailed definitions and requirements for telecommunications facilities, including antennas, supporting structures, equipment housing, and ancillary equipment operating under FCC licenses.

• Creates location preference hierarchy requiring carriers to prioritize non-residential zoned lots first, followed by unused residential lots, then larger residential lots (2+ acres), with smallest residential lots (under 2 acres) as least desirable.

• Specifies different regulatory frameworks based on county population: counties under 180,000 population allow facilities up to 200 feet tall (or 350 feet if over 1.5 miles from municipalities of 25,000+) with setback requirements; counties with 180,000+ population impose stricter 75-foot limits in residential districts and 200-foot limits in non-residential districts unless variations are granted.

• Requires 30-day county review of building permits and mandates notice to state legislators and county board members 30 days before permit issuance for new tower construction, with county board approval required for facilities exceeding height and setback standards.