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Wireless Permits
Wireless permits are for construction work by wireless providers for installation of wireless facilities and small cells or 5G infrastructure within public Rights of Way (ROW).
This permit process was established in accordance with Chapter 284 of Texas Local Government Code, enacted by the State of Texas on September 1, 2017, which allows for the installation of small-cell facilities on existing, new, and municipally-owned structures within the ROW.
Within the City of Denton, most wireless equipment is installed with the appearance and function of a streetlight pole. Small-cell facilities are typically comprised of network nodes, antennas, wireless equipment, and underground fiber transportation facilities.
- Wireless Utility Registration
- Wireless Permit Application
- Review Timeline
- ROW Inspections
- Emergency Notification
Before applying for permits, the network provider or agency seeking to install wireless or small-cell facilities must register with the Public Works Inspection Division. Registration by a network provider must be completed by a representative of an accredited wireless utility company, and not a contractor.
To submit a new registration request:
- Review the Utility Provider Registration Form in the link below, and prepare the required documents and information.
- Submit a completed Utility Provider Registration Form and required supporting documentation to Public Works Inspection through email.
- Receipt of complete registration requests will be confirmed upon delivery, with a full review and written response to grant or deny the request sent to the applicant within 30 business days. Contact Public Works Inspection if confirmation of submission is not sent within two business days, as no response will be considered a submission failure and/or denial of the request.
Amendment or renewal of an existing registration, including adding or removing approved contractors:
- The wireless utility company is responsible for updating registration information:
- Annually, prior to January 2
- Within 30 days of any change, and prior to applying for permit.
- Submit revisions through email to Public Works Inspections.
- To add or remove an approved contractor or engineering firm whom will conduct business on behalf of the wireless provider, the utility company must submit a written request to amend the approved contractors on their existing registration, along with the contact information for the contractor as on the Utility Provider Registration Application. Once the change of approved contractor is confirmed, the contractor will be provided access to e-TRAKiT.
- For substantial revisions to a company name or contacts, submit a new Utility Provider Registration Application.
Registration requests granted prior to August 1 will be applied to the current year. Requests granted after August 1 will be active thru the following year.
Applicability of wireless permits follows the ROW Construction Management Ordinance (Ch. 25), including any excavation, installation, or occupation of the Right of Way (ROW), including use of temporary traffic control devices.
A registered wireless provider may apply by:
- Secure a E-911 address for each proposed small-cell location by:
- Create a site map of the future small-cell location, indicating its placement in relation to the surrounding addresses, streets, easements, ROW, and other markers.
- Submit the site map to Development Services and request an E-911 address.
- Include the E-911 address in the title block of plans that will be submitted for review and permitting.
- Complete the Wireless Application Form (PDF).
- Collect the supporting documentation and required information indicated on the wireless application form based on the permit sub-type.
- Complete the application step in e-TRAKiT and attach the required documentation.
- Reconcile application fees, as on the fee schedule.
For assistance with applying in e-TRAKiT or payment of fees, contact Development Services at (940) 349-8360.
Complete applications will be reviewed in accordance with the timelines set forth in Texas Local Government Code:
- Within 21 days for fiber transport facilities
- Within 60 days for network nodes
- Within 150 days for node support poles
- Within 10 business days for repair, replacement, or removal of existing wireless facilities.
Applications for relocation of an existing wireless facility will be reviewed within the timeframe equivalent to a new installation.
Specific to repairs of existing facilities, an expedited review of two business days may be requested for work that is substantially urgent but does not fully meet the criteria for an emergency repair, by submitting the Expedited Review Request Form with an application in e-TRAKiT. Expedited application fees apply.
If an application under review escalates to an emergency, the applicant should follow the emergency notification process, and promptly contact Public Works Inspections at (940) 349-8910 to revise the pending application type to an emergency repair, and expedited review.
Guide to e-TRAKiT application status
Application Status | Description |
Applied | A preliminary check of the application is being conducted to confirm that the minimum documentation is attached prior to distribution for review. The timeframe for completion of this step will be visible from the review tab of the application record in e-TRAKiT, and the applicant will be contacted if corrections are required. |
Submitted | The application has been distributed for review. The due date (for the city comment response) will be visible from the review tab of the application record in e-TRAKiT. |
Pending Revisions/Documents | Revisions or additional information/documents are required to process the application. |
Approved | The review step is complete. Fees may be due in e-TRAKiT prior to permit issuance. |
Issued | Permit is active, until the expiration date on the right of way permit attached to e-TRAKiT. |
Cancelled | Application has been voided and is no longer valid. |
Closed | Permit is inactive for any use other than tracking the two-year warranty on restoration. |
48 hours’ notice of commencing work for an issued permit is required, which is submitted by requesting a ROW Safety Inspection in e-TRAKiT.
For most ROW permits, the utility provider and/or contractor will need to request additional inspections in e-TRAKiT to allow Public Works Inspection to evaluate work activities for compliance with the conditions of the permit, city code, and city standard specifications. View the ROW Inspection Process document for the timing and scope of all required inspections, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
All inspection requests for an issued ROW Permit should be sent through e-TRAKiT.
Public Works Inspections will respond to requests for inspection within 24 hours of submission. Once confirmed, the scheduled inspection time and Inspector will be viewable from the inspections tab of the permit record in e-TRAKiT.
Cancellations
Notify of cancelling an inspection request by one of the following methods:
- Contact the Public Works Inspector by phone or email.
The Inspectors contact information is on the issued permit, available from the attachments in e-TRAKiT. - Send an email to this link, including the permit number, and call-back information.
- Contact Public Works Inspections main office for assistance at (940) 349-8910 or visit the Development Service Center at 401 N Elm Street, Denton, Texas, 76201 during regular business hours, M-F 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Fees may apply for cancelled inspections if Public Works Inspections is not notified of the cancellation at least 30 minutes prior to the confirmed inspection time.
Emergency repairs may be conducted prior to permit application in response to an event that may threaten public health or safety such as an unexpected or unplanned outage, cut, rupture, leak, or other failure of a utility’s existing system which prevents or significantly jeopardizes their ability to provide critical service to customers, or could result in danger to the public if the system is not immediately repaired, controlled, stabilized, or rectified.
Emergency repairs require immediate notice to Public Works Inspection and may only be conducted by a registered wireless company.
- Wireless companies will be provided with a link for emergency notification upon registration.
- Within two business days from commencing an emergency repair, a formal permit application must be submitted in Central Square.
***Call (940)349-7000 to report a municipal utility incident in the ROW that requires immediate attention, such as a power outage, downed electrical poles or wires, a water main break, a clogged or overflowing sewer main, or a leaking water meter or hydrant.***