In response to the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) recent order (https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-133A1.pdf ) – effective January 2019 – related to the deployment of personal wireless service facilities, the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has created a new intake and review process for personal wireless service facility applications.
Wireless facilities may be allowed in the Public right of way (ROW) subject to the terms of a master lease agreement with the City of Portland and must comply with conditions defined in PBOT Vertical Infrastructure Administrative Rules (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/726087).
Vertical infrastructure facilities available within the public ROW at this time are either City owned assets such as street light and traffic signal poles or non-City owned (3rd Party) utility poles.
When receiving applications for small cell installations in the public ROW, PBOT (pbotvi@portlandoregon.gov) will evaluate the permits based on conditions set forth in PBOT VI Administrative Rules (https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/726087).
If the request meets permitting requirements and follows City standards and specifications for installation, PBOT staff may grant a street opening permit to allow the proposed equipment to be placed subject any improvements required to structurally support or otherwise accommodate the proposed small cell equipment. Application review timelines may vary depending on the type of personal wireless service equipment proposed and the specific vertical infrastructure facility requested. City-owned assets that are currently unable to structurally support the additional equipment will be required to pursue a "mini-public works" (Make Ready) process to design and construct an engineered facility that meets the requirements defined in Construction Standards for City-owned Assets.