Overview
Cell phone towers may bring extra tax revenue, greater reception, and security to a city or town. Despite these benefits, many remain skeptical of towers due to potential health risks, environmental aesthetics, and the impact on property values.
Source: Wireless Substitution: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, July–December 2009, (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 12, 2010).
References
We've already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require a password.
Cell Phone Towers & Property Values
Cell Phone Towers Lower Property Values: Documentation And Research on Cellular Base Stations Near Homes (Environmental Health Trust, Sep. 10, 2017)
The Growing Impact of Wireless Accessibility on Property Values (NREI, Dec. 8, 2016)
The Cost of Convenience: Estimating the Impact of Communication Antennas on Residential Property Values (Land Economics, Feb. 2016)
The Lo Down on Cell Towers, Neighborhood Values, and the Secretive Telecoms (The Dissident Voice, Dec. 19, 2015)
Cell Towers: Not in My Back Yard (Tedium Blog, Aug. 5, 2015)
Cell Tower Antennas Problematic for Buyers (REALTOR® Magazine, July 25, 2014)
Cell Phone Towers and House Prices in New Zealand: Economic Effects and Policy Implications (International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, 2014) E
Telecoms Facing a Bold New Challenge Nationwide: Vertical Consultants Collect Billions in Underpaid Cell Tower Rents (PRWeb, Jan. 29, 2012)
The Impact of Cell Phone Towers on House Prices in Residential Neighborhoods (The Appraisal Journal, Summer 2005) E
The Impact of Wireless Towers on Residential Property Values (Assessment Journal, 2003) E
Cell Phone Towers: Benefits
“Fully 91% of American adults own a cell phone and many use the devices for much more than phone calls” (Source: Cell Phone Activities 2013, Pew Research Center, Sept. 2013, p. 2)
The hidden taxable capacity of land: enough and to spare (International Journal of Social Economics, 2009) E
Cell Phone Towers: Risks & Health Concerns
Are Kids at Risk? Scores of Chicago-Area Schools Allow Cell Towers on Their Buildings, Grounds (NBC Chicago, Oct. 4, 2016)
The Hidden Health Effects of Cell Towers (It Takes Time Blog, Sept. 22, 2015)
Cellular Phone Towers (American Cancer Society)
Study: No Health Risk From Cell Phones And Towers (CBS Atlanta, Feb. 14, 2014)
Cellphone Tower Bill Draws Concern From Municipal Group (The Missourian, Feb. 6, 2014)
OSHA Investigating Fatal Cell Tower Collapse in Harrison County (WOWKTV, Feb. 1, 2014)
Reflections on the INTERPHONE Study of Cell Phones and Brain Cancer (CDC NIOSH Science Blog, July 26, 2010)
Study: Cell Phone Towers Not a Cancer Risk to Children (PBS, June 23, 2010)
Mobile Phones Base Stations and Early Childhood Cancers: Case-Control Study (British Medical Journal, June 22, 2010)
Radio Frequency Safety (U.S. Federal Communications Commission)
Cell Phone Tower Aesthetics
Cell phone towers that are designed to blend in with their environment are often called stealth or concealed cell phone towers. Conducting an Internet search using the terms stealth, concealed, or camouflaged will yield up-to-date results on this topic.
Dressed Up as Trees, Cellular Towers Stir Debate (The Sacramento Bee, Dec. 5, 2015)
The bizarre history of cellphone towers disguised as trees (Vox, Apr. 19, 2015)
Cell phone tower in Norton Shores build to resemble 155-foot pine tree (The Muskegon Chronicle, Oct. 29, 2011)
Appeals Court upholds county permit decision on Franconia Township cell phone tower (Chicago County Press, Nov. 10, 2011)
City blocks expanded cellphone tower (CBC News Calgary, Oct. 28, 2011)
Streaming Live Revenue (Journal of Property Management, 2007) E
Cell tower camouflage artists just want to blend in (Network World, 2004) E
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Real Estate Appraisal (Kindle and eBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Member Support. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Member Support at 800-874-6500 for assistance.
The Impact of Cellular Phone Base Station Towers on Property Values (University of Auckland, 2003)
Cell Towers: Wireless Convenience? or Environmental Hazard? (Safe Goods/New Century Publishing, 2001)
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