Cell Tower Protocol

Cell Tower Protocol Frequently Asked Questions Contact

Cellular Connectivity Update: September 2025

Clarington has taken another step toward improving local cellular connectivity.

In October 2024, Council approved a report directing staff to partner with Shared Tower Inc. to explore municipally owned locations to build cellular infrastructure. Since then, Clarington has negotiated agreements with Shared Tower for the construction and operation of telecommunications antennas and tower systems on three municipal properties, with another site pending:

Fire Station 1 (Bowmanville) - construction phase
South Courtice Arena - undergoing public consultation
Middle Park (Bowmanville) - preliminary design underway
Fire Station 3 (Orono) – pending agreement

Over the coming months, Shared Tower will lead the detailed design, permitting and public consultation processes for these areas. Construction of a new cell tower at Fire Station 1 is anticipated to begin in October 2025 and be operational later this fall. South Courtice Arena and Middle Park will follow, pending some additional considerations.

North Bowmanville

Locations are continuing to be explored to address cellular gaps in north Bowmanville, including vacant municipal lands on Mearns Avenue, north of the Canadian Pacific railroad.

Rural Clarington

Upon further assessment, Shared Tower has advised that the cell tower originally proposed for Tyrone Community Centre is not a viable option. They are continuing to independently investigate potential siting options in rural Clarington to help build out the local network.

How tall will the towers be and what will they look like?

Tower heights depend on the coverage needs in the area, as determined by the companies proposing to construct the towers. Whenever possible, towers are designed and located to reduce their visual impact by using slimmer designs or incorporating them into existing structures. Clarington’s Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Protocol (Cell Tower Protocol) provides guidelines for site selection and design, focusing on integrating towers with existing and planned land uses while minimizing their visual presence.

When will construction happen, and how long will it take?

Shared Tower will lead the planning process for each proposed tower, including detailed design, permitting and any necessary public consultation. Planning and construction will follow Clarington’s Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Protocol (Cell Tower Protocol) and the requirements of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

Once the design is finalized and at least one carrier has committed to using the tower, construction typically takes approximately 5 to 10 weeks. The exact timing may vary depending on site conditions and weather.

When will the new cell towers be operational, and when will I notice an improvement in my service?

After tower construction, carriers need to install their equipment on the tower and complete network testing before it becomes fully operational. Once a carrier has installed their equipment and network testing is complete, most residents can expect to see improvements in coverage and reliability within a few weeks of the tower being activated, although exact timelines can vary depending on weather, technical adjustments, and integration with the broader network.

Shared Tower’s infrastructure is designed for co-location, meaning multiple wireless carriers can share the same infrastructure. This enables providers such as Bell, Rogers, Telus, and others to install their equipment on a single tower, reducing the need for additional towers in the area. If you’re still experiencing poor cellular service once the tower is operational, you can help by calling your service provider and requesting they install their equipment on the new towers noted above.

Clarington Council directed staff to partner with Shared Tower to build cellular infrastructure on municipally-owned properties during the October 21, 2024 Planning Development Committee meeting. Watch Shared Tower's presentation to Council here.

Watch online

Cell Tower Protocol in Clarington

Clarington is taking the lead in improving local cellular service through its Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Protocol (Cell Tower Protocol).

This protocol outlines site selection and design guidelines for providers to install cell towers. It emphasizes integration with existing and planned land use, and minimizing visual impacts of towers. It also provides a clear and streamlined process for installing antenna systems to enable the development of high-quality wireless telecommunications coverage across Clarington.

Learn more about cell towers in your community.

Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Protocol (Cell Tower Protocol)

In December 2023, Clarington Council adopted a Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Protocol.

This protocol:

Outlines The Municipality of Clarington’s site selection and design guidelines for cell towers and other antenna installations.
Encourages designs that integrate with existing and planned surrounding land use and public realm and minimize visual impacts.
Outlines a municipal consultation process for the installation and modification of cell towers and other antenna installations covered by this protocol for telecommunications facilities.
Provides a straight-forward, objective process for the installation of antenna systems.
Enables the development of a high-calibre wireless telecommunications service in Clarington.

How to apply

Complete an application form under the Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Protocol.

Cell Tower Protocol: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Municipality’s role in the telecommunications towers process?

Telecommunication towers and antenna systems are regulated exclusively by Federal Legislation under the Federal Radiocommunication Act administered by the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Provincial legislation, such as the Planning Act and zoning by-laws, does not apply to these telecommunication facilities.

Notwithstanding the federal government’s exclusive jurisdiction, ISED’s Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Client Procedures require cell tower applicants to address comments and concerns through the municipal public consultation process, as outlined in the Municipality of Clarington’s Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems Protocol (Cell Tower Protocol).

Applications to install radio communication and broadcasting antenna systems are subject to a public consultation process, and approval by the Deputy CAO of Planning and Infrastructure (or designate).

In the case of a dispute between the applicant and the Municipality of Clarington, a final decision may be made by ISED.

Who does the protocol apply to?

The protocol applies to anyone who is planning to install or modify an antenna system, regardless of the type of installation.

This includes telecommunication carriers, businesses, governments, Crown agencies, the public, and those who install towers or antenna systems on behalf of others for leasing purposes (third-party tower owners).

What types of telecommunication projects are excluded from consultation with the Municipality and the public?

The following telecommunications tower projects are excluded from consultation:

New antenna systems: where the height is less than 15 metres above ground level. This exclusion does not apply to antenna systems to be used by broadcasting undertakings, telecommunications carriers or third-party tower owners.
Existing towers: modifications may be made, or the tower may be replaced, to facilitate sharing or the addition of antennas, provided that the total height increase is no greater than 25 per cent of the height of the initial antenna system installation. If the 25 per cent increases the height to be above 15 metres, public notice will be required. No increase in height may occur within one year of completion of the initial construction.
Non-tower structures: antennas on buildings, water towers, lamp posts, etc. may be installed provided that the height of the structure is not increased by more than 25 per cent.
Temporary antenna systems: used for special events or emergency operations and must be removed three months after the start of the emergency or special event.
Existing antenna systems: no consultation is required prior to performing maintenance on an existing antenna system

How can members of the public get involved?

Where an Antenna System Review Process is required, the proponent must carry out public consultation, notifying the public through notices, signs and public information sessions.

This gives people an opportunity to ask questions, provide comments and share their concerns. The applicant is required to provide responses to the public and submit a summary of the results of the public consultation.

Can I appeal the proposed installation of an antenna system to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), formerly the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)?

Antenna systems are federally regulated and licensed, therefore there is no appeal procedure to LPAT.

Are there any safety guidelines to protect public health?

Health Canada has radiofrequency exposure guidelines. ISED requires operators to comply with Safety Code 6 at all times, including the combined effects of nearby installation.

The Municipality of Clarington does not assess any submission for a Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna system with respect to health and radiofrequency exposure issues or other non-placement or non-design issues.

Are environmental concerns taken into consideration?

All installations are required to comply with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The Municipality of Clarington discourages the use of lands identified as environmentally sensitive. The Municipality may require submission of additional studies to evaluate the suitability of proposals on environmentally sensitive lands.

Contact

Do you have more questions about the Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna System Protocol? All applications are processed through the Planning and Infrastructure Department. You may contact us at planning@clarington.net or 905-623-3379 ext. 2660.

Inquiries to lease municipal property for the installation of telecommunication antenna structures and devices can be submitted to Amy Burke, Project Manager – Strategic Initiatives, at aburke@clarington.net or 905-623-3379 ext. 2423.