Transmission Facilities Coordination Group
Telecommunication Antenna and Tower Facilities
The Transmission Facilities Coordination Group (TFCG/Tower Committee) is a coordinating committee comprised of land owning and land use members that are responsible for the initial review for radio and telecommunication carrier applications and make recommendations concerning the installation of radio and telecommunication infrastructure in Montgomery County.
Review and Recommendation Process
In 1996, Montgomery County adopted a policy for the Review of Radio and Telecommunication Carrier facilities. COMCOR 02.58E.01 Telecommunications Transmission Facilities Coordination Process outlines the review process. Click here for the link.
The purpose of the policy is to:
- To establish a reliable process for telecommunication carriers to site transmission facilities in the county and to speed deployment of services for residents while maintaining adequate public protection. Montgomery County amended its zoning ordinance to allow "by right" sites in many zones, to encourage co-location and to establish reasonable height and setback requirements.
- To promote appropriate location and co-location of transmission facilities to minimize adverse impact to the community and public facilities. To provide a forum for private carriers and public agencies to meet and reach consensus on sensible siting of transmission facilities. To encourage public agencies to develop and adopt criteria and a process to expedite requests for use of public land for telecommunication purposes. The creation of a Tower Committee composed of representatives from relevant land owning and land use agencies to review all new telecommunications facilities and antenna siting requests. The Committee meets monthly, with industry reps in attendance and actively participating, to review and make recommendations on all applications. Meetings are open to the public.
- To provide a centralized source for private providers, County agencies, and the public to obtain information regarding the County's siting process and the location and description of potential and current sites. Appointment of a Tower Coordinator and creation of an electronic database that contains information about all antenna and tower sites, all public sites, all buildings of certain heights, all public property, and other data helpful to providers and the public. Click here to access the database. Click here to access the Montgomery County interactive map that provides location and carrier information for all current, planned and proposed sites in Montgomery County.
Application Filing
As of February 1, 2018, all applications are required to be filed online. The online feature allows all supporting documents to be attached. This new secure, web-based system creates a standardized application process that allows stakeholders to perform their duties in an efficient and effective manner and creates an electronic record for document accessibility. Upon submission, applicants will receive a confirmation advising of the TFCG application number as well as confirming the type of application and the applicant’s contact information. Applications will be reviewed for completeness, if required information is missing an RFI will be issued. Once an application is deemed complete the application will be reviewed by our engineers and made available for public review. Please click here to access the online application.
Application Categories
On March 25, 2003, the following application categories were adopted by Executive Regulation 21-02AM. Click here to access the regulation. Montgomery County Zoning laws outline the land use and antenna and telecommunication sizes that are permitted in Montgomery County. The application categories are:
- Modification
- Co-Location
- New Support Structure-Permitted Use
- New Support Structure-Conditional Use or Mandatory Referral
Application Fees
On June 19, 2003, the following application fees were adopted by Executive Regulation 13-03. Click here to access the regulation. The application fee needs to be submitted to: The Office of Cable and Broadband Services, 51 Monroe St, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20850. Attn: Marjorie Williams. Applications will not be considered complete and the review will not begin until the application fee has been received.
- Annual Plan: $500
- Modification: $500
- Co-Location: $1,000
- New Support Structure-Permitted Use: $2,000
- New Support Structure-Conditional Use or Mandatory Referral: $2,500
Municipalities
The TFCG does not review telecommunication applications for the following municipalities that are located in Montgomery County. These municipalities develop their own policies and review procedures regarding radio and telecommunication facilities. The applications must be submitted to the municipality for their review and approval.
- City of Gaithersburg
- City of Rockville
- Town of Barnesville
- Town of Brookeville
- Town of Laytonsville
- Town of Poolesville
- Town of Washington Grove