5G UPGRADE Act of 2025

This bill speeds up how cities and counties handle requests to upgrade existing wireless facilities. It sets a 60-day deadline to decide these requests. If the local government doesn’t approve or send a written notice explaining why the request isn’t covered by the law within 60 days, the request is automatically approved the next day. Any “not covered” notice must clearly state the reasons and cite the exact legal rule relied on. The bill also limits extra steps and paperwork, defines when the clock starts, and lets applicants go to federal court to enforce these timelines, with faster court review. The FCC must write final rules within 180 days after the law takes effect.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Wireless companies and site owners; state and local governments; communities where upgrades are requested.
• What changes:
  • 60-day deadline; if no action or proper notice by day 60, approval is automatic.
  • The 60-day clock can pause only if, within 30 days, the government sends a written notice listing exactly what required information is missing and citing a public rule; after a supplemental filing, the government has 10 days to send another such notice. Notices that ask for barred info or add new items later don’t count and don’t pause the clock .
  • A request counts as “submitted” when the applicant takes the first step to file under the government’s procedures (or the typical filing if no procedure exists). No pre-application meetings or steps can be required. Only documents reasonably related to deciding if the request qualifies, and listed in a public rule, may be required—no extra paperwork.
  • Applicants may sue in federal court to enforce these rules, and courts must review quickly.
• When: The rules apply to requests submitted on or after the law’s enactment; FCC rules are due within 180 days of enactment.