Tularosa Approves Cell Tower, Adopts New Dog Rules
Published 9 November 2026
The Village of Tularosa Board of Trustees approved a special use permit for a 190-foot cell tower at 44 Sunset Road at a special meeting on Thursday, November 5, 2026. The vote was 3 to 2, with the mayor breaking a 2 to 2 tie, and the permit comes with 12 conditions the company must meet before it can get a building permit. At the same meeting, the trustees adopted a rewritten animal ordinance covering dogs, barking and licensing, and approved an updated personnel policy.
This is a follow-up to my October post on the delayed cell tower vote. Here is what was decided and what it means if you live in Tularosa or are thinking about buying there.
What did Tularosa approve?
The trustees approved Special Use Application 2026-002 from Flagship One LLC for a tower at 44 Sunset Road, according to 2nd Life Media's report on the meeting. The site is outside village limits but inside the village's extraterritorial zoning area.
Residents near the site had opposed the tower and turned in a petition with 198 signatures. Several trustees said they expected the village would lose in court if it denied the permit, and officials noted that federal rules do not allow radio frequency emissions to be used as grounds for denial. The tower would stand 190 feet 10 inches tall and could hold up to four wireless carriers.
What conditions does the cell tower have to meet?
The approval is only good if the company meets every condition. These are the main ones, as read into the record from the Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendations:
| Condition | What it requires |
|---|---|
| Fall zone | A setback equal to the tower's full height, 190 feet 10 inches, to every property line |
| Engineering | Sealed plans, manufacturer certifications and site soil and foundation reports |
| Structural reviews | A new village-approved structural analysis before any carrier or antenna is added |
| Space for the village | A spot on the tower at 150 feet or lower for village and public safety equipment at a nominal fee |
| Radio frequency | A report showing the tower meets FCC exposure limits before it operates |
| Environmental and historic | Federal environmental and State Historic Preservation Office clearances before a building permit |
| Power and noise | Battery backup only; no fuel generator without a separate application and noise review |
| Removal bond | A $75,000 bond, adjusted each year for inflation, to remove the tower within 90 days if it is abandoned |
The company also has to confirm each year that the tower is still in commercial use, keep the access road graveled to control dust, and get the village's approval on fencing. The obligations carry over to any future owner.
What is in Tularosa's new dog ordinance?
The trustees adopted a rewrite of the village's animal ordinance, Chapter 95 of the village code, which covers general rules, prohibited activities, enforcement and dangerous dogs. It takes effect five days after notice of its approval is published in the newspaper. At the meeting, the village's animal control officer explained how it will work day to day:
- Barking. The nuisance rule did not change. Enforcement starts with a complaint, applies from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and generally means barking that goes on for more than an hour.
- Licensing. Officers will not go door to door checking licenses. If a dog is found loose, the owner gets a warning and a few weeks to license it at the police department, with proof of rabies vaccination.
- Aggressive dogs. The dangerous dog rules are aimed at dogs that run loose and chase people, not dogs guarding their own yards or protecting puppies.
If you are adding a dog to the family, my animal rescue guide covers where to adopt in Otero County.
What happens next?
The tower cannot be built until Flagship One meets the conditions and receives a building permit from the village. You can follow along on the Village of Tularosa website, which posts its agendas. The November 5 special meeting agenda lists the next regular board meeting as Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
What does this mean for Tularosa homeowners and buyers?
Cell service is something buyers ask me about more and more, especially people who work from home, so it is worth knowing where towers are planned. If you live near Sunset Road, the conditions above, especially the fall zone setback and the removal bond, are the protections the village put in writing.
If you are looking at homes in or around Tularosa, this is a good reminder that land just outside village limits can still fall under village zoning. I am always happy to help you look up what applies to a property before you buy. My neighborhoods guide has more on Tularosa and the other towns around Alamogordo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Tularosa approve the cell tower on Sunset Road?
Yes. The Board of Trustees approved the special use permit 3 to 2 on November 5, 2026, with the mayor breaking a tie.
How tall will the Tularosa cell tower be?
It would stand 190 feet 10 inches tall. It could hold equipment for up to four wireless carriers.
When can the Tularosa cell tower be built?
Not until the company meets all 12 conditions and gets a building permit. Those include engineering, environmental and historic reviews and a $75,000 removal bond.
What are Tularosa's barking dog rules?
Enforcement starts with a complaint and applies from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The barking generally has to last more than an hour.
Do I need to license my dog in Tularosa?
Yes. If a loose dog is found unlicensed, the owner gets a warning and a few weeks to license it at the police department with proof of rabies vaccination.
Information comes from 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News and the Village of Tularosa's November 5, 2026, meeting agenda, checked 9 November 2026.