It was a big win for Oyster Bay Monday as a federal judge ruled that building permits are needed to install cellphone equipment in the town.

The ruling comes after Texas-based Crown Castle installed more than 100 cellphone antenna boxes in Oyster Bay between 2009 and 2016. Crown Castle argued in court filings that the town suddenly changed the procedure for installing the equipment in 2017.

However, the judge sided with the town saying the rules were always in place even if they weren't enforced.

Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino issued a statement saying, "The town issues building permits to protect the welfare and safety of the public, and in this case the town and its citizens have won."

Residents and activists have been fighting the installation of the equipment over health concerns.

Christine Calabrese, with Citizens for 5G Awareness, says she hopes the judge's ruling stretches beyond Oyster Bay.

The federal judge also recommended the court dismiss the lawsuit against Oyster Bay for lack of jurisdiction.