City of Walla Walla extends moratorium on new wireless facilities in residential zones

By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla City Council voted unanimously at the Jan. 26 regular meeting to extend a moratorium on new wireless communication facility applications in residential zones for an additional six months.

The city of Walla Walla enacted Ordinance 2026-02, extending a 2025 moratorium on residential cell towers following a dismissed AT&T lawsuit. This temporary halt allows staff to study local impacts and develop permanent zoning recommendations. Following the dismissal of the federal lawsuit, City Attorney Tim Donaldson emphasized that while total bans are prohibited federally, the city is exploring alternative sites to balance service needs with residential community concerns.

“Staff is still working on those studies,” Walla Walla Deputy City Manager Preston Frederickson said at last week’s council meeting. “We are asking council to adopt a resolution extending that interim ordinance for a period of six months, as allowed by state law, to complete the work council has tasked us to do”.

During the public hearing, no members of the community spoke for or against the measure. However, Councilmember Jeffrey Robinson noted that the ordinance was a direct response to past community concerns.

“I think the public has made their wishes on this clear,” Robinson said during the meeting. “I think it’s important that we honor what the public has asked of us… especially from those passionate advocates against the issue that this ordinance addresses”.

The extension passed with a 6-0 vote. The city’s study on wireless facilities is expected to conclude before the new six-month window expires in late summer.

Photo of the current city council via the city of Walla Walla. From left to right: Rodney Outlaw, Rick Eskil, Jeffrey Robinson, Gustavo Reyna, Steve Moss, Monte Willis