The City of Malibu has published a fact sheet and FAQ to help residents understand the regulatory process governing wireless facility installations.
"The City takes community concerns about quality of life and environmental impacts seriously," Mayor Bruce Silverstein said. "Our priority is safety first."
The document explains that wireless providers — not the city — select proposed facility locations. The city's role is limited to reviewing applications for compliance with federal, state and local requirements. Under federal law, the city is legally required to approve facilities that qualify as eligible under 47 U.S. Code § 1455, and applications cannot be denied on health grounds if they meet federal radio frequency safety standards.
The city notes that reliable wireless service is particularly important during Public Safety Power Shutoffs and wildfire emergencies. The federal government classifies wireless infrastructure as critical infrastructure. Details are available at https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nipp_commun.pdf.
Malibu's wireless facilities ordinance, updated in 2021, requires detailed technical reports for proposed installations, reviewed by city staff and an independent RF consultant. Following installation, carriers must conduct a live RF study with city staff present. Permits require ongoing federal compliance, with removal required for any violations.
Residents who receive a mailed notice about a proposed facility are advised that it indicates a project is under review, not that it has been approved.
The FAQ is available at www.MalibuCity.org/WirelessFacilitiesFAQ and https://malibucity.org/DocumentCenter/View/37568/Wireless-Fact-Sheet-and-FAQ_3202026. Pending applications can be viewed at https://www.malibucity.org/1041/Pending-WCF-Applications.
Edited by SMDP Staff