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In 2018, the Federal Communications Commission issued new requirements for local jurisdictions to accommodate 5G telecommunications infrastructure in the public right-of-way. The ruling lacked nuance and now has the effect of forcing cities and counties to permit new cell towers with limited opportunity to require that the infrastructure integrate effectively into the built environment. Like local jurisdictions, home builders regularly build public improvements. Approvals for new housing include requirements to widen roads, place street lighting and signalization, and create new sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, which require relocating third party infrastructure located in the right-of-way. This work is complicated and expensive, and builders can rarely complete it within a predictable time period. The City of Sherwood recognized this issue and - in consultation with the HBA - adopted a revised Right-of-Way Permit Ordinance that places the responsibility for relocating telecommunications infrastructure on the right-of-way permit holder rather than the home builder. Doing so will help provide certainty in the development process and reduce the cost of providing new housing. To learn more about our work with the City of Sherwood and our efforts to ensure that our industry is not responsible for the cost of relocating infrastructure in the public right-of-way, contact Ezra Hammer at ezrah@hbapdx.org. Next Article Previous Article