Development Services
Wireless Communication Facilities (WCFs) are the antennas, support structures and other equipment or apparatus necessary for providing personal wireless services and information services. The Development Services Department Telecom and Utilities Division reviews applications for conventional WCFs, as well as applications to use City of San Diego streetlight and traffic signal poles for small cell WCF (SC-WCF) deployment for compliance with the City's Land Development Code.
For information on conventional (“macro cell”) WCFs, all SC-WCFs outside the public right-of-way, and discretionary (non-City-standard) SC-WCFs in the public right-of-way, please contact one of the Telecom project managers below:
Nilia Safi
Development Project Manager II
619-446-5236
Send Nilia Safi an email
Ian Heacox
Development Project Manager II
619-446-5338
Send Ian Heacox an email
Karen Howard
Development Project Manager II
619-687-5915
Send Karen Howard an email
For information on ministerial SC-WCFs in the public right-of-way (on existing City infrastructure, proposed City-standard infrastructure, or non-City infrastructure), please contact:
Simon Tse
Development Project Manager III
619-687-5984
Send Simon Tse an email
San Diego Municipal Code 141.0420(d)(10) requires wireless providers and telecom site management companies to submit site listings annually by January 31. Please use one of the Microsoft Excel spreadsheets below for annual reporting and follow the detailed instructions.
Applicants should refer to the WCF Guidelines when designing WCFs in the City. These:
The Wireless Communication Facilities Supplemental Application and Checklist will help you determine the relevant City decision process and shot clock. Projects are then submitted for review per
Information Bulletin 536, "Wireless Communication Facilities," which describes the submittal requirements for WCFs, including Spectrum Act applications and links to the City Consent Application Form for WCF application on City property.
As of July 22, 2019, all WCFs in the Downtown area are processed by Development Services. Civic San Diego no longer accepts, processes or reviews WCF applications. Attempted submittals at Civic San Diego will not constitute the start of the applicable shot clock.
The City's Real Estate Assets Department invites wireless communication carriers to expand network infrastructure on City property and on City-owned property throughout the County of San Diego. Please contact Carla Gresham at cgresham@sandiego.gov or 619-236-6729.
Council Policy 700-10, "Disposition of City-owned Real Property" – Outlines requirements for leasing City property
Consent Form – Required for all WCF applications on City property and within the public right of way
Small Cell Wireless Communication Facilities (SC-WCFs) Construction Plan Review Checklist – Use this checklist in conjunction with Information Bulletin 545 to prepare submittals for Small Cell WCFs on City property and the public right-of-way.
Small Cell Supplemental GIS Tool (link is external) – This tool is a full-service, real-time GIS application to help search for small cell sites and processing of applications.
Important: Use of this tool is entirely at the applicant’s risk and should not replace field verification, record search or due diligence. The City will not be held liable for incorrect information. The tool is still under development and is currently limited to helping locate City assets and pole numbers only. All submitted coordinates will still require City review and quality control. Future updates to the tool will include the ability to identify existing pole occupants, submitted applications with permit information and show traffic signals and assets with existing sensors.
The Federal Communications Commission (link is external) (FCC) regulates safety related to cell phones and antenna facilities. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (link is external) prohibits the City from evaluating applications based on health-related concerns, as long as RF emissions are within FCC limits. Wireless carriers must submit a report demonstrating compliance with FCC regulations.