Coalition Comments on FCC Proposed Rules Regarding Cell Towers

Published on January 07, 2026

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City Joins Coalition to Comment on FCC Proposed Rules Limiting Local Government Ability to Regulate Cell Tower Installations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering proposed rules that would limit local government's ability to regulate cell tower installations. The City of Palo Alto is part of a coalition of local governments organized by its special counsel for telecommunications law that submitted comments in opposition to the proposed rules. The coalition includes twenty municipalities, four associations representing nearly 2,000 members, three counties, and one special district from eight states and the District of Columbia. In addition, City staff will be working with the City's federal lobbyist to engage with members of Congress on this matter.

  • A comment letter on FCC proposed rulemaking related to wireless facilities was filed by the City’s outside counsel on December 31, 2025 in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), FCC 25-67.
  • The coalition submitted a comment letter on December 18, 2025 in response to the FCC’s Wireline Notice of Inquiry (NOI) (Docket No. 25-253), which sought comments on whether to expand the FCC’s regulation of broadband infrastructure (e.g., cables and fibers on utility poles or otherwise installed in the rights of way in conduits or micro-trenches to provide internet service) to more closely align with restrictions it has imposed on local government authority related to siting wireless facilities, such as shot clocks, deemed approved remedies, and fee caps.  

View both letters here.

Additional Background

There are two FCC proceedings in the works, one for wireline telecom facilities and one for wireless telecom facilities. Both could impact the City's permitting processes, and the wireless facilities proceeding will likely have a greater aesthetic impact locally.Presently, federal law has mainly limited the City's control in the context of small cell installations, i.e. antennas, power equipment, and control boxes mounted on existing power poles or streetlights. These limitations include the amount of time allowed for permit review ("shot clocks"), application fees, and aesthetic and siting requirements. The FCC is now exploring whether to impose similar limitations on macro cell towers, such as monopoles.

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