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Davidson County board raises allowable tower height to 199 feet in zoning text amendment
Summary
Commissioners approved a zoning text change to increase the threshold for wireless towers in rural districts from 160 feet to 199 feet, a staff proposal intended to reduce rezoning requests and improve network design without triggering FAA lighting requirements.
DAVIDSON COUNTY — The Board of Commissioners on July 16 approved a text amendment to the Davidson County zoning ordinance raising the height threshold for wireless telecommunication towers in certain districts from 160 feet to 199 feet.
Planning staff said the change would allow an extra 39 feet of vertical clearance for towers before they move into a different regulatory classification that often requires nonresidential locations and special‑use permits.
"All we're wanting to do is move that benchmark up," planning staff said during the presentation, noting that FAA lighting rules begin at 200 feet and towers under 200 feet would not require obstruction lighting. Staff argued the amendment could reduce the need for rezoning commercial parcels simply to accommodate slightly taller towers.
Commissioners discussed visual impacts and the purpose of the change; no members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing. The board voted in favor of the amendment.
Next steps: The ordinance language will be incorporated into the county zoning code and staff said it will be applied to future tower proposals and permitting reviews.
