Comment Period on Montgomery County’s Proposed ‘Master Pole Attachment License Agreement’ Extended to Monday, May 9

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 26, 2022

The public comment period on Montgomery County’s proposed “Master Pole Attachment License Agreement” has been extended to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 9. The County has made significant investments in public property that can be used to support communications equipment and has developed the draft Master Pole Attachment License Agreement to permit use of this public property.

More information about the agreement, and the form to submit comments, can be found at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/polelicense .

Among the County property that has been identified as possible supports for the communications equipment are streetlights, pedestrian signal poles, County-owned light poles in parking lots and objects and pieces of equipment installed along streets and roads for various public purposes that are collectively referenced as “street furniture.”

Federal law makes a large percentage of the poles and street furniture available for the siting of personal wireless communications equipment, but it also preserves the County’s authority to protect community interests through the design, placement and operation of the wireless facilities. 

Notable about the Pole Attachment License:

• The Pole Attachment License is different from a franchise agreement. A company must have a franchise agreement, which grants the right to use and occupy the County’s public right of way, in order to be eligible for a pole attachment.
• The Pole Attachment License is specific to County-owned poles and street furniture.

The Pole Attachment License only provides the County’s real estate authorization. Regulatory authorizations, such as Department of Permitting Services’ permits and a Transmission Facilities Coordinating Group (TFCG or Tower Committee) recommendation, are still required.

Comments regarding the Pole Attachment License will not impact zoning amendments that have been approved by the County Council.

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Release ID: 22-244
Media Contact: Barry Hudson 240-300-7348
Categories: Public Works