Los Angeles, Other Cities Sue to Block FCC Cell Tower Order

Los Angeles, Boston, and other cities and counties have asked a federal court to block the Federal Communications Commission from overruling their authority to stop cell tower upgrades.

The local governments, in a petition for review filed before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Monday, argue that the FCC exceeded its statutory authority and acted arbitrarily and capriciously in violation of federal law.

The agency in June voted to prohibit local governments from delaying changes to existing cell towers, such as replacing antennas, that maintain the tower’s underlying structure. Opposing cities argue the order ...