66.0406 Radio broadcast service facility regulations.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Political subdivision" means any city, village, town, or county.

(b) “Radio broadcast services" means the regular provision of a commercial or noncommercial service involving the transmission, emission, or reception of radio waves for the transmission of sound or images in which the transmissions are intended for direct reception by the general public.

(c) “Radio broadcast service facilities" means commercial or noncommercial facilities, including antennas and antenna support structures, intended for the provision of radio broadcast services.

(2) Limitations on local regulation. Beginning on May 1, 2013, if a political subdivision enacts an ordinance, adopts a resolution, or takes any other action that affects the placement, construction, or modification of radio broadcast service facilities, the ordinance, resolution, or other action may not take effect unless all of the following apply:

(a) The ordinance, resolution, or other action has a reasonable and clearly defined public health or safety objective, and reflects the minimum practical regulation that is necessary to accomplish that objective.

(b) The ordinance, resolution, or other action reasonably accommodates radio broadcast services and does not prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting, the provision of such services in the political subdivision.

(3) Continued application of existing regulations. If a political subdivision has in effect on May 1, 2013, an ordinance or resolution that is inconsistent with the requirements that are specified in sub. (2) for an ordinance, resolution, or other action to take effect, the existing ordinance or resolution does not apply, and may not be enforced, to the extent that it is inconsistent with the requirements that are specified in sub. (2).

(4) Denial of placement, construction, or modification of facilities. If a political subdivision denies a request by any person to place, construct, or modify radio broadcast service facilities in the political subdivision, the denial may be based only on the political subdivision's public health or safety concerns. The political subdivision must provide the requester with a written denial of the requester's request, and the political subdivision must provide the requester with substantial written evidence which supports the reasons for the political subdivision's action.

History: 2013 a. 20; 2013 a. 173 s. 33.