How to Move a Cell Site – Without Paying the Bill

How To Move A Cell Site & Not Get Stuck Paying The Bill

(Updated March 24, 2025)
If you’re a property owner with a cell site on your rooftop or antennas attached to your building, chances are you’ll need to make repairs, upgrades, or structural modifications at some point during your lease agreement. Whether it’s re-roofing, repainting, or reinforcing the building structure, these necessary improvements often bring about a major question:

How do you get a wireless tenant to temporarily relocate their equipment without sticking you with the bill?

This may sound like a simple request, but the answer lies buried deep within your lease agreement. If your agreement lacks clear language addressing this scenario, you may find yourself facing tens of thousands of dollars in relocation costs—and little to no recourse.

Let’s dive into why temporary relocation clauses are crucial, what to do if your lease doesn’t have one, and how one commercial real estate owner narrowly avoided footing a $50,000 relocation bill.

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Why Cell Sites Can Be a Headache During Building Maintenance

Wireless equipment isn’t just mounted on a building and left alone. Antennas, radios, cables, and dishes are often secured in sensitive locations on rooftops, parapet walls, or building facades—areas that must be accessed for routine maintenance or major repairs. Common maintenance activities that require temporary relocation of wireless equipment include:

• Re-roofing: This is one of the most common and expensive building upgrades, often requiring full access to the roof surface.
• Structural repairs: Load-bearing elements may need reinforcement or replacement, sometimes affecting rooftop installations.
• Waterproofing: Leaks or deterioration often require resealing, especially in areas beneath mounting equipment.
• Facade renovations: Painting, stucco, and exterior paneling repairs can all require unobstructed access to wall-mounted antennas.

In each of these scenarios, your wireless tenant’s equipment must be temporarily relocated—either moved to another part of the roof, onto a temporary structure like scaffolding, or even shifted off-site depending on the scope of the work.

And that’s where things get complicated.

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The Lease Is Everything: Why Language Matters

In real estate, the lease controls the relationship—and this is especially true when dealing with telecom tenants. Wireless carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others have legal teams who write leases to heavily favor the tenant. If your lease is silent on temporary relocation, then the burden of cost and logistics may fall entirely on you, the property owner.

In the eyes of the carrier, your need to make improvements is considered a “landlord-driven action.” Even though the work may be essential (or even required by law), they’ll likely argue that they are being inconvenienced and should be compensated for the effort of moving and restoring service.

If your lease has temporary relocation language, then the situation changes dramatically. Here’s what a good provision will do:

• Clearly define responsibility: The tenant must relocate at their own expense if required for building maintenance or structural upgrades.
• Establish timeframes: The lease should outline notice requirements (e.g., 60 or 90 days) to give the tenant adequate time to prepare.
• Coordinate logistics: The lease can require collaboration on planning temporary and permanent relocation locations.
• Minimize disruption: Good language ensures the tenant works to minimize interference with the landlord’s operations.

Without this clause, you’re flying blind.

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A Real-Life Example: The $50,000 Mistake That Didn’t Happen

Let’s take a look at a real scenario that illustrates how high the stakes can be—and how to regain control of the situation.

One of our clients—one of the largest commercial property owners in San Diego—owns an industrial building with a Verizon cell site installed on the rooftop. After years of wear and tear, the building’s roof had reached the end of its useful life, and a full re-roofing project was scheduled.

At the same time, Verizon’s lease was set to expire in less than 12 months. Verizon had reached out to the owner, expressing their interest in renewing the agreement.

Here’s where things got interesting.

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Verizon’s Initial Response

We reached out to Verizon to notify them that the building owner would need them to temporarily move their antennas and related equipment to allow for the re-roofing work. Verizon responded with a proposal: $50,000 to cover their temporary relocation costs.

That’s right—$50,000 to move three antenna sectors and a microwave dish. According to Verizon, that amount would cover planning, equipment rental, engineering, labor, and testing.

Now, that might sound excessive—and it was. But more importantly, the lease did not contain a temporary relocation clause, meaning Verizon could argue they had the right to remain in place unless compensated.

What Verizon didn’t fully realize, however, was that they had zero leverage.

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The Leverage of an Expiring Lease

Our client quickly made their position clear: if Verizon refused to move their equipment at their own cost, the lease would not be renewed. That meant Verizon would lose rooftop access—and service at that location—when the agreement expired in less than a year.

With coverage and network capacity at stake, Verizon’s tone shifted. What followed was a flurry of activity, including an on-site meeting with over a dozen Verizon representatives. The group worked with us to design both a temporary relocation plan and a permanent new rooftop configuration that would accommodate the carrier’s equipment while allowing the re-roofing to proceed on schedule.

In the end, Verizon paid for their own relocation costs, and the building owner avoided the $50,000 bill entirely.

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Lessons Learned: What Every Property Owner Should Know

This story offers a critical lesson for every property owner considering—or already in—a lease with a wireless carrier. Here are five essential takeaways:

1. Temporary Relocation Clauses Are Non-Negotiable

Every new lease, amendment, or renewal should include clear language about who pays when equipment needs to be moved due to building maintenance. It may seem like a minor detail at signing—but down the road, it could save you tens of thousands of dollars.

2. Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

If your lease doesn’t include a temporary relocation clause, you may still have leverage—especially when a lease is nearing expiration. However, the longer your lease term, the less leverage you have. That’s why it’s important to review your agreements now, not when you’re under the pressure of an impending construction deadline.

3. Work with an Expert

Cell tower leases are unique. They contain telecom-specific legal and technical terms that most general real estate professionals haven’t encountered. Working with an expert—like Airwave Advisors—ensures you don’t miss the fine print or walk into an uneven negotiation.

4. Beware of Renewal and Amendment Traps

Carriers often use lease renewal or amendment periods as an opportunity to introduce one-sided provisions. They may ask for expanded rights, reduced rent increases, or even subtly shift financial responsibility in the case of relocation. These changes can seem minor but have serious implications. Always review proposed amendments carefully—and counter them with your own terms when necessary.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Play Hardball

As shown in our Verizon example, having an expiring lease can be your greatest bargaining chip. Carriers don’t want to lose coverage, and moving a site can cost them far more than just money—it risks service disruption and network gaps. If a tenant refuses to cooperate, don’t be afraid to use your leverage to protect your interests.

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What Should a Strong Temporary Relocation Clause Include?

If you’re drafting or renegotiating a lease, here’s what a solid temporary relocation provision should address:

• Relocation Trigger: Define the conditions under which relocation may be requested (e.g., repairs, upgrades, safety concerns).
• Cost Responsibility: Clearly state that the tenant shall bear all expenses related to temporary and permanent relocation.
• Notice Period: Specify how much notice you must give before requesting relocation (commonly 60–90 days).
• Cooperation Clause: Require both parties to cooperate in good faith to identify a suitable temporary location.
• Return Terms: Outline when and how equipment will be returned to its original location (if applicable).
• Time Limits: Ensure relocation doesn’t drag on indefinitely, which could hinder your building’s operation or revenue.

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Protect Yourself Before the Problem Arises

In real estate, it’s always better to prevent an issue than to react to one. Cell site leases often span 20 to 30 years. During that time, building upgrades and repairs are inevitable. Having the right lease language in place not only saves you from unnecessary costs—it empowers you to maintain and enhance your property without external interference.

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Need Help Reviewing Your Lease?

At Airwave Advisors, we specialize in helping property owners navigate the complex world of cell tower leasing. Whether you’re negotiating a new lease, reviewing an amendment, or trying to relocate a tenant for maintenance, we have the experience and insight to protect your interests—and your bottom line.

Do You Need Help With Your Cell Site Lease?

Contact Airwave Advisors Today!

(888) 443-5101

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