Cell Towers

Updated: April 1, 2025

Background

Building telecommunication networks in the Adirondack Park presents unique challenges because of the mountainous terrain, dense foliage, low population density, and large areas of State lands where towers are not permitted. The Agency supports innovative solutions to integrating new telecommunication technologies, such as small cell to help expand coverage throughout the Park.

The Agency's Towers Policy protects the Adirondack Park’s aesthetic and open space resources by requiring that placement of telecommunication facilities achieve “substantial invisibility.” Policy guidance includes avoiding mountaintops and co-locating facilities on existing structures whenever possible. Projects meet the substantial invisibility threshold by incorporating policy guidance such as: using forested hills as backdrops; limiting towers to heights just above surrounding trees; maintaining vegetation in the foreground to screen the tower structure; using dark gray paint tones to blend the tower and antennas with existing vegetation; and, on occasion, constructing towers as simulated pine trees.

Key Resources