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
NAR Library & Archives has 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 the member's nar.realtor login.
Cell Phone Towers & Property Values
How Does the Proximity to a Cell Tower Impact Home Values? (Valbridge, Sep. 14, 2018)
Cell Tower Installation Plans Lower Property Values (Scientists for Wired Technology, Sep. 12, 2018)
Wireless Towers and Home Values: An Alternative Valuation Approach Using a Spatial Econometric Analysis (Journal of Real Estate Finance & Economics, May 1, 2018) E
Property Values, Desirability and Cell Towers (EMFZA, Jul. 24, 2018)
Cell Phone Towers: Risks & Health Concerns
The First Report of 5G Injury from Switzerland (Physicians for Safe Technology, Jul. 20, 2019)
Cell Phone Tower to be Removed from Ripon School (ABC10, Jul. 18, 2019)
Towers of Power: As 5G Cell Nodes Rise, Some are Raising Health Concerns (The Brownsville Herald, Mar. 5, 2019)
Cell Phones, Cell Towers, and Wireless Safety (School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Feb. 27, 2019)
Why Public Health Experts are Worried about 5G, the Next Generation of Cell Network (Salon, Dec. 4, 2018)
Mill Valley Blocks Faster, Smaller Cell Phone Towers over Cancer Fears (SFGate, Sep. 11, 2018)
Radio Frequency Safety (U.S. Federal Communications Commission)
Cell Phone Tower Aesthetics
America's Wackiest Cell Phone Towers May Be Key to Solve the 'Ugly' 5G Revolution (Phone Arena, Jun. 10, 2019)
Revamped Cell Towers Make for Odd-Looking Trees in Spokane (KREM, Jun. 10, 2019)
FAQ City: Just Who are Those Cell Tower Trees Fooling? (WFAE, Apr. 23, 2019)
A California National Park is Getting its First Cell Tower. Not Everyone Thinks it’s a Good Idea (The Fresno Bee, Apr. 4, 2019)
Botanical Imperative: Why Cellular Network Towers Get Disguised as Trees (99% Invisible, Nov. 19, 2018)
Church Steeple or Cell Tower? How Fort Collins Tries to Keep Up with Cellular Data Demands (Coloradoan, Aug. 6, 2018)
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Real Estate Appraisal (Kindle, eBook)
The Art of Real Estate Appraisal (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 (Auckland, NZ: University of Auckland, 2003)
Cell Towers: Wireless Convenience? Or Environmental Hazard? (Markham, ON: Safe Goods/New Century Publishing, 2001)
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