[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Some info on Virginia law and antenna support structures

[Marshall DeBerry]

Here is some info that is rather pertinent from Glenn Sage, the Virginia
ARRL section manager, that was in an email tonight:

" Amateur Radio antenna support structures (towers) continue to be a "Hot
Button" within the Virginia Section.  It appears that some progress is being
made in Franklin County and we are hopeful for a reasonable resolution for
the difference in state law and the local ordinance.  In other counties and
cities there is local code in place that allows Amateur Radio antenna
support structures to be 50 feet or less.  If the antenna support structure
exceeds this height then the ham must comply with cell tower type
restrictions.  Few hams would be able to comply with these restrictions.
The good news is that the code of Virginia § 15.2-2293.1 gives us
protection from restrictive codes that restrict towers to less than 75 feet
in jurisdictions with high population densities and 200 ft with low
population densities.  Local county planners are either unaware of the law
or have chosen to ignore the Code of Virginia.  I have researched many
counties on the Internet and have found a number that do not comply with
state code.  It is important that local clubs and ARES groups go to their
local courthouse and research the most current code for their jurisdiction.
Sometimes Internet articles are out-of-date.  Bring this issue up at you
next club meeting and take action to ensure that you are not confronted with
a problem when someone applies for a permit to put up a tower."

73 
 Marshall