{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/56-484.26.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/56-484.26.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/56-484.26.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/56-484.26.html"}],"law_id":370479,"edition_id":2,"section_id":370479,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.26","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"2017, c. 835.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\n“Antenna” means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless communications services.\n\n“Co-locate” means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a wireless facility on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station, building, existing structure, utility pole, or wireless support structure. “Co-location” has a corresponding meaning.\n\n“Department” means the Department of Transportation.\n\n“Districtwide permit” means a permit granted by the Department to a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider that allows the permittee to use the rights-of-way under the Department’s jurisdiction to install or maintain small cell facilities on existing structures in one of the Commonwealth’s nine construction districts. A districtwide permit allows the permittee to perform multiple occurrences of activities necessary to install or maintain small cell facilities on non-limited access right-of-way without obtaining a single use permit for each occurrence. The central office permit manager shall be responsible for the issuance of all districtwide permits. The Department may authorize districtwide permits covering multiple districts.\n\n“Existing structure” means any structure that is installed or approved for installation at the time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider provides notice to a locality or the Department of an agreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate equipment on that structure. “Existing structure” includes any structure that is currently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the attachment of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles, light poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers.\n\n“Micro-wireless facility” means a small cell facility that is not larger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches in height and that has an exterior antenna, if any, not longer than 11 inches.\n\n“Small cell facility” means a wireless facility that meets both of the following qualifications: (i) each antenna is located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and (ii) all other wireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal Communications Commission. The following types of associated equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment, telecommunications demarcation boxes, ground-based enclosures, back-up power systems, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.\n\n“Utility pole” means a structure owned, operated, or owned and operated by a public utility, local government, or the Commonwealth that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for communications, cable television, or electricity.\n\n“Water tower” means a water storage tank, or a standpipe or an elevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as a reservoir or facility to store or deliver water.\n\n“Wireless facility” means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless services between user equipment and a communications network, including (i) equipment associated with wireless services, such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and (ii) radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial, or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.\n\n“Wireless infrastructure provider” means any person, including a person authorized to provide telecommunications service in the state, that builds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures, but that is not a wireless services provider.\n\n“Wireless services” means (i) “personal wireless services” as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (ii) “personal wireless service facilities” as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(c)(7)(C)(ii), including commercial mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(d), provided to personal mobile communication devices through wireless facilities; and (iii) any other fixed or mobile wireless service, using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, provided using wireless facilities.\n\n“Wireless services provider” means a provider of wireless services.\n\n“Wireless support structure” means a freestanding structure, such as a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing structure or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting wireless facilities. “Wireless support structure” does not include any telephone or electrical utility pole or any tower used for the distribution or transmission of electrical service.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1381850,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1381851,"text":"“Antenna” means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless communications services.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"2":{"id":1381852,"text":"“Co-locate” means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a wireless facility on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station, building, existing structure, utility pole, or wireless support structure. “Co-location” has a corresponding meaning.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"3":{"id":1381853,"text":"“Department” means the Department of Transportation.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"4":{"id":1381854,"text":"“Districtwide permit” means a permit granted by the Department to a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider that allows the permittee to use the rights-of-way under the Department’s jurisdiction to install or maintain small cell facilities on existing structures in one of the Commonwealth’s nine construction districts. A districtwide permit allows the permittee to perform multiple occurrences of activities necessary to install or maintain small cell facilities on non-limited access right-of-way without obtaining a single use permit for each occurrence. The central office permit manager shall be responsible for the issuance of all districtwide permits. The Department may authorize districtwide permits covering multiple districts.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"5":{"id":1381855,"text":"“Existing structure” means any structure that is installed or approved for installation at the time a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider provides notice to a locality or the Department of an agreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate equipment on that structure. “Existing structure” includes any structure that is currently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the attachment of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles, light poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"6":{"id":1381856,"text":"“Micro-wireless facility” means a small cell facility that is not larger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches in height and that has an exterior antenna, if any, not longer than 11 inches.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"7":{"id":1381857,"text":"“Small cell facility” means a wireless facility that meets both of the following qualifications: (i) each antenna is located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna that has exposed elements, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and (ii) all other wireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal Communications Commission. The following types of associated equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment, telecommunications demarcation boxes, ground-based enclosures, back-up power systems, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"8":{"id":1381858,"text":"“Utility pole” means a structure owned, operated, or owned and operated by a public utility, local government, or the Commonwealth that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for communications, cable television, or electricity.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"9":{"id":1381859,"text":"“Water tower” means a water storage tank, or a standpipe or an elevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as a reservoir or facility to store or deliver water.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"10":{"id":1381860,"text":"“Wireless facility” means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless services between user equipment and a communications network, including (i) equipment associated with wireless services, such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and (ii) radio transceivers, antennas, coaxial, or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"11":{"id":1381861,"text":"“Wireless infrastructure provider” means any person, including a person authorized to provide telecommunications service in the state, that builds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures, but that is not a wireless services provider.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"12":{"id":1381862,"text":"“Wireless services” means (i) “personal wireless services” as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (ii) “personal wireless service facilities” as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(c)(7)(C)(ii), including commercial mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(d), provided to personal mobile communication devices through wireless facilities; and (iii) any other fixed or mobile wireless service, using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, provided using wireless facilities.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"13":{"id":1381863,"text":"“Wireless services provider” means a provider of wireless services.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"14":{"id":1381864,"text":"“Wireless support structure” means a freestanding structure, such as a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing structure or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting wireless facilities. “Wireless support structure” does not include any telephone or electrical utility pole or any tower used for the distribution or transmission of electrical service.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":52767,"edition_id":2,"name":"Wireless Communications Infrastructure","identifier":"15.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":31,"parent_id":52702,"metadata":{"child_laws":7,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:04:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:45","permalink":{"id":1477097,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52767,"identifier":"15.1","token":"56\/15.1","url":"\/56\/15.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52702,"edition_id":2,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":121,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":710,"child_structures":93},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:03:25","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:34","permalink":{"id":1475475,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52702,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":370479,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.26","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-484.26\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.26","metadata":false},{"id":370480,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.27","catch_line":"Access to the public rights-of-way by wireless services providers and wireless infrastructure providers; generally","url":"\/56-484.27\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.27","metadata":false},{"id":370481,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.28","catch_line":"Access to public rights-of-way operated and maintained by the Department for the installation and maintenance of small cell facilities on existing structures","url":"\/56-484.28\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.28","metadata":false},{"id":370482,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.29","catch_line":"Access to locality rights-of-way for installation and maintenance of small cell facilities on existing structures","url":"\/56-484.29\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.29","metadata":false},{"id":370484,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.30","catch_line":"Agreements for use of public right-of-way to construct new wireless support structures; relocation of wireless support structures","url":"\/56-484.30\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.30","metadata":false},{"id":370485,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.31","catch_line":"Attachment of small cell facilities on government-owned structures","url":"\/56-484.31\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.31","metadata":false},{"id":370486,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.32","catch_line":"Wireless support structure public rights-of-way use fee","url":"\/56-484.32\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.32","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":370480,"structure_id":52767,"section_number":"56-484.27","catch_line":"Access to the public rights-of-way by wireless services providers and wireless infrastructure providers; generally","url":"\/56-484.27\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.27","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-484.26\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 835<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1477099,"object_type":"law","relational_id":370479,"identifier":"56-484.26","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.26","url":"\/56-484.26\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-484.26\/","token":"56\/15.1\/56-484.26","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-484.26","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:<\/p>

“Antenna<\/span>” means communications equipment that transmits or receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless communications services.<\/p>

“Co-locate<\/span>” means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a wireless facility<\/span> on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station, building, existing structure<\/span>, utility pole<\/span>, or wireless support structure<\/span>. “Co-location<\/span>” has a corresponding meaning.<\/p>

“Department<\/span>” means the Department<\/span> of Transportation.<\/p>

“Districtwide permit<\/span>” means a permit granted by the Department<\/span> to a wireless services provider<\/span> or wireless infrastructure provider<\/span> that allows the permittee to use the rights-of-way under the Department<\/span>’s jurisdiction<\/span> to install or maintain small cell facilities on existing structures<\/span> in one of the Commonwealth’s nine construction districts. A districtwide permit<\/span> allows the permittee to perform multiple occurrences of activities necessary to install or maintain small cell facilities on non-limited access right-of-way without obtaining a single use permit for each occurrence. The central office permit manager shall be responsible for the issuance of all districtwide permits<\/span>. The Department<\/span> may authorize districtwide permits<\/span> covering multiple districts.<\/p>

“Existing structure<\/span>” means any structure that is installed or approved for installation at the time a wireless services provider<\/span> or wireless infrastructure provider<\/span> provides notice to a locality or the Department<\/span> of an agreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate<\/span> equipment on that structure. “Existing structure<\/span>” includes any structure that is currently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the attachment<\/span> of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles<\/span>, light poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers<\/span>.<\/p>

“Micro-wireless facility<\/span>” means a small cell facility<\/span> that is not larger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches in height and that has an exterior antenna<\/span>, if any, not longer than 11 inches.<\/p>

“Small cell facility<\/span>” means a wireless facility<\/span> that meets both of the following qualifications: (i) each antenna<\/span> is located inside an enclosure of no more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna<\/span> that has exposed elements, the antenna<\/span> and all of its exposed elements could fit within an imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and (ii) all other wireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no more than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal Communications Commission<\/span>. The following types of associated equipment are not included in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment, telecommunications demarcation boxes, ground-based enclosures, back-up power systems, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and vertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.<\/p>

“Utility pole<\/span>” means a structure owned, operated, or owned and operated by a public utility, local government, or the Commonwealth that is designed specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for communications, cable television, or electricity.<\/p>

“Water tower<\/span>” means a water storage tank, or a standpipe or an elevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as a reservoir or facility to store or deliver water.<\/p>

“Wireless facility<\/span>” means equipment at a fixed location that enables wireless services between user equipment and a communications network, including (i) equipment associated with wireless services, such as private, broadcast, and public safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed wireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and (ii) radio transceivers, antennas<\/span>, coaxial, or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and comparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.<\/p>

“Wireless infrastructure provider<\/span>” means any person<\/span>, including a person<\/span> authorized to provide telecommunications service in the state, that builds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless support structures<\/span>, but that is not a wireless services provider<\/span>.<\/p>

“Wireless services” means (i) “personal wireless services<\/span>” as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (ii) “personal wireless service facilities<\/span>” as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(c)(7)(C)(ii), including commercial mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(d), provided to personal mobile communication devices through wireless facilities; and (iii) any other fixed or mobile wireless service, using licensed or unlicensed spectrum, provided using wireless facilities.<\/p>

“Wireless services provider<\/span>” means a provider of wireless services.<\/p>

“Wireless support structure<\/span>” means a freestanding structure, such as a monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing structure<\/span> or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting wireless facilities. “Wireless support structure<\/span>” does not include any telephone or electrical utility pole<\/span> or any tower used for the distribution or transmission of electrical service.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 56-484.26)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\n“Antenna” means communications equipment that transmits or receives\nelectromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of any type of wireless\ncommunications services.\n\n“Co-locate” means to install, mount, maintain, modify, operate, or\nreplace a wireless facility on, under, within, or adjacent to a base station,\nbuilding, existing structure, utility pole, or wireless support structure.\n“Co-location” has a corresponding meaning.\n\n“Department” means the Department of Transportation.\n\n“Districtwide permit” means a permit granted by the Department to a\nwireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider that allows the\npermittee to use the rights-of-way under the Department’s jurisdiction to\ninstall or maintain small cell facilities on existing structures in one of the\nCommonwealth’s nine construction districts. A districtwide permit allows\nthe permittee to perform multiple occurrences of activities necessary to install\nor maintain small cell facilities on non-limited access right-of-way without\nobtaining a single use permit for each occurrence. The central office permit\nmanager shall be responsible for the issuance of all districtwide permits. The\nDepartment may authorize districtwide permits covering multiple districts.\n\n“Existing structure” means any structure that is installed or\napproved for installation at the time a wireless services provider or wireless\ninfrastructure provider provides notice to a locality or the Department of an\nagreement with the owner of the structure to co-locate equipment on that\nstructure. “Existing structure” includes any structure that is\ncurrently supporting, designed to support, or capable of supporting the\nattachment of wireless facilities, including towers, buildings, utility poles,\nlight poles, flag poles, signs, and water towers.\n\n“Micro-wireless facility” means a small cell facility that is not\nlarger in dimension than 24 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 12 inches\nin height and that has an exterior antenna, if any, not longer than 11 inches.\n\n“Small cell facility” means a wireless facility that meets both of\nthe following qualifications: (i) each antenna is located inside an enclosure of\nno more than six cubic feet in volume, or, in the case of an antenna that has\nexposed elements, the antenna and all of its exposed elements could fit within\nan imaginary enclosure of no more than six cubic feet and (ii) all other\nwireless equipment associated with the facility has a cumulative volume of no\nmore than 28 cubic feet, or such higher limit as is established by the Federal\nCommunications Commission. The following types of associated equipment are not\nincluded in the calculation of equipment volume: electric meter, concealment,\ntelecommunications demarcation boxes, ground-based enclosures, back-up power\nsystems, grounding equipment, power transfer switches, cut-off switches, and\nvertical cable runs for the connection of power and other services.\n\n“Utility pole” means a structure owned, operated, or owned and\noperated by a public utility, local government, or the Commonwealth that is\ndesigned specifically for and used to carry lines, cables, or wires for\ncommunications, cable television, or electricity.\n\n“Water tower” means a water storage tank, or a standpipe or an\nelevated tank situated on a support structure, originally constructed for use as\na reservoir or facility to store or deliver water.\n\n“Wireless facility” means equipment at a fixed location that enables\nwireless services between user equipment and a communications network, including\n(i) equipment associated with wireless services, such as private, broadcast, and\npublic safety services, as well as unlicensed wireless services and fixed\nwireless services, such as microwave backhaul, and (ii) radio transceivers,\nantennas, coaxial, or fiber-optic cable, regular and backup power supplies, and\ncomparable equipment, regardless of technological configuration.\n\n“Wireless infrastructure provider” means any person, including a\nperson authorized to provide telecommunications service in the state, that\nbuilds or installs transmission equipment, wireless facilities, or wireless\nsupport structures, but that is not a wireless services provider.\n\n“Wireless services” means (i) “personal wireless\nservices” as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(c)(7)(C)(i); (ii) “personal\nwireless service facilities” as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(c)(7)(C)(ii),\nincluding commercial mobile services as defined in 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 332(d), provided\nto personal mobile communication devices through wireless facilities; and (iii)\nany other fixed or mobile wireless service, using licensed or unlicensed\nspectrum, provided using wireless facilities.\n\n“Wireless services provider” means a provider of wireless services.\n\n“Wireless support structure” means a freestanding structure, such as\na monopole, tower, either guyed or self-supporting, or suitable existing\nstructure or alternative structure designed to support or capable of supporting\nwireless facilities. “Wireless support structure” does not include\nany telephone or electrical utility pole or any tower used for the distribution\nor transmission of electrical service.\n\nHISTORY: 2017, c. 835.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}