Section 8C.1 – Short title.

8C.1 Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Iowa Cell Siting Act”. 2015 Acts, ch 120, §1, 10

Section 8C.2 – Definitions.

8C.2 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Applicant” means any person engaged in the business of providing wireless telecommunications services or the wireless telecommunications infrastructure required for wireless telecommunications services and who submits an application. 2. “Application” means a request submitted by an applicant to an authority to […]

Section 8C.3 – Uniform rules and limitations — applications.

8C.3 Uniform rules and limitations — applications. In order to ensure uniformity across this state with respect to the consideration of every application, and notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, an authority shall not do any of the following: 1. Require an applicant to submit information about, or evaluate an applicant’s business decisions with […]

Section 8C.4 – Uniform rules — new tower applications.

8C.4 Uniform rules — new tower applications. 1. An authority may exercise zoning, land use, planning, and permitting authority within the authority’s territorial boundaries with regard to the siting of new towers, subject to the provisions of this chapter and federal law. 2. An applicant that proposes to construct a new tower within the jurisdiction […]

Section 8C.5 – Uniform rules for certain changes.

8C.5 Uniform rules for certain changes. 1. An authority may exercise zoning, land use, planning, and permitting authority within the authority’s territorial boundaries with regard to an application for initial placement or installation of transmission equipment on wireless support structures, for modification of an existing tower or existing base station that constitutes a substantial change, […]

Section 8C.6 – Use of public lands for towers and transmission equipment.

8C.6 Use of public lands for towers and transmission equipment. 1. In accordance with other applicable laws, when entering into a lease with an applicant for the applicant’s use of public lands, an authority shall offer the market rate value for use of that land. The term of the lease shall be for at least […]

Section 8C.7 – Utility poles.

8C.7 Utility poles. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, an authority shall not mandate, require, or regulate the installation, location, or use of transmission equipment on a utility pole. 2015 Acts, ch 120, §7, 10

Section 8C.7A – Uniform rules for small wireless facilities — permit approval.

8C.7A Uniform rules for small wireless facilities — permit approval. 1. a. Except as provided in this section, an authority shall not prohibit or restrict the siting of a small wireless facility. b. For purposes of this section, “siting” means the mounting, installation, maintenance, modification, operation, or replacement of a small wireless facility on or […]

Section 8C.7B – Small wireless facilities — violation and removal.

8C.7B Small wireless facilities — violation and removal. 1. A public utility that owns or controls a utility pole on which a small wireless facility is sited in alleged violation of this chapter or the Iowa electrical safety code shall notify the owner of the small wireless facility of the alleged violation, in writing or […]

Section 8C.7C – Height limitations.

8C.7C Height limitations. 1. A new, replacement, or modified utility pole or wireless support structure installed in a public right-of-way located within the city limits of an incorporated city for the purpose of siting a wireless facility, including a small wireless facility under the provisions of this chapter shall not exceed the greater of ten […]

Section 8C.8 – Application and construction.

8C.8 Application and construction. This chapter shall not be construed as: 1. Prohibiting an airport, aviation authority, or municipality from administering and enforcing airport zoning pursuant to the provisions of chapter 329 for the protection of navigable airspace. 2. Infringing upon the jurisdiction of a commission, as defined in section 303.20, to approve or deny […]

Section 8C.9 – Repeal.

8C.9 Repeal. This chapter is repealed July 1, 2025. 2015 Acts, ch 120, §9, 10; 2017 Acts, ch 112, §6; 2020 Acts, ch 1026, §1, 2