Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: May 13, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Carmen Nichols, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Wireless Assessment
BACKGROUND
In response to community concerns regarding inadequate wireless service in certain areas of the city, the City Council directed staff to evaluate wireless connectivity conditions in Camarillo. This effort was further reinforced through the City Council’s adoption of a Fiscal Year 2025/26 Strategic Plan objective: Explore opportunities to engage providers to improve cell phone coverage within the City of Camarillo. These actions established a broader policy direction for the City to assess existing service conditions, evaluate the City’s role in facilitating wireless infrastructure, and identify opportunities to support improved coverage throughout the community.
To advance this work, the City entered into an agreement with EN Engineering/Entrust to conduct a wireless field survey and review the City’s policies and procedures related to wireless facilities. The consultant conducted field surveys within the public right-of-way along major commercial corridors to collect data for evaluation of existing 4G and 5G cellular service conditions in Camarillo. The consultant then prepared a wireless coverage assessment map, summary findings, and an evaluation of the City’s existing policies and practices related to wireless facilities siting. The policy review is intended to assess the effectiveness of current procedures and identify areas where additional policy development or process improvements may be warranted.
Following discussion at two Utilities Committee meetings, the scope of work was refined to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Camarillo’s wireless environment.
This involved outreach to wireless carriers and a technical review of previously approved but unconstructed wireless communication facility Conditional Use Permit (CUP) applications to better understand why certain approved sites did not advance to construction and how current local siting and design requirements may be affecting deployment outcomes. The review considered prior CUP application records, available wireless field survey information, relevant provisions of Camarillo Municipal Code
Wireless Assessment
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Chapter 19.76, and direct outreach to industry representatives. The draft technical memo, presented to the Utilities Committee in April 2026, is intended to inform the City’s understanding of the relationship between permit approval, facility design, technical performance, and the practical likelihood of deployment.
DISCUSSION
The technical review shows that approval of a wireless facility permit does not necessarily mean the facility will be built. Even after receiving approval, a carrier may determine that the approved design would not provide enough service benefit to move forward, particularly when construction costs, timing, structural challenges, and overall project value are taken into account.
The review also found that policy and design requirements can directly affect whether a site is practical to develop. Standards related to height, concealment, site location, and required documentation may result in facilities that meet code requirements but are less effective in improving wireless service. In some cases, these limitations can reduce the usefulness of a site or require additional facilities to achieve the same level of coverage.
The findings further suggest that these challenges are not unique to one applicant or carrier. Rather, they point to a broader issue involving how the City balances community aesthetic priorities with the need for reliable wireless service and the practical realities of facility deployment.
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the technical analysis and provide direction on whether to further evaluate targeted updates to the City’s wireless siting regulations. As a next step, the City may consider a focused review of the applicable provisions in Chapter 19.76 to determine whether current standards continue to strike the appropriate balance between aesthetic considerations, service needs, and the feasibility of wireless facility development. If directed by the City Council, future efforts could also include evaluating areas of the city with recurring cell service issues and collaborating with wireless providers, technical experts, and other local government entities to identify practical options for improving coverage.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact as a result of this action.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
Not applicable
RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive and file the Technical Memorandum (Attachment 1).
2. Provide direction to staff to continue evaluating whether targeted updates to the City’s wireless siting framework are warranted.
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3. Direct staff to conduct a focused review of applicable provisions in Camarillo Municipal Code Chapter 19.76.
4. Direct staff to further evaluate areas of the city with recurring cell service issues and collaborate with wireless providers, technical experts, and other local government entities to identify practical options for improving coverage.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Technical Memorandum prepared by Entrust Solutions Group, dated April 17, 2026 REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None.