Permits issued through FCC

State laws and FCC rules set limits on the:

• Size
• Height
• Placement of small cell wireless equipment

Learn the process and apply

City permits you may need

To install a small cell antenna pole, companies must apply for an encroachment permit.

Apply for an encroachment permit

There may be other associated construction permits, such as:

• Obstruction permits
• Utility connections 

See streets, sidewalks and utilities permits

The City's role

The City of Minneapolis reviews small cell antenna placed by private cell phone companies.

We verify that the install:

• will preserve existing ROW transportation functions 
• anticipates future uses 

This review includes:

• Sidewalk clearance
• Sight lines for signs or traffic signals
• ROW boundaries

Cell pole install and construction

Installing privately-owned poles involves many types of construction work. 

This includes contractors installing: 

• Underground electrical conduit/wiring
• Underground fiber optic conduit/wiring
• Pole foundations 
• Poles with attached antenna equipment

Timeframe

This construction work typically occurs with many contractors working within the same project. It may take weeks to complete all phases. 

Temporary fixes during construction

As part of the process sometimes temporary patches or repairs are made to the:

• Sidewalk
• Boulevard
• Roadway area

Contractors will replace these temporary patches with permanent restoration.