§ 15.04.070. Undergrounding of utilities.  


Latest version.
  • Notwithstanding any provisions of the County Building Code to the contrary, overhead utility services may not be installed, except to supply temporary service poles used for construction. All permanent utility services must be installed underground. Underground services from service utilities overhead or underground systems and laterals located on private property must be installed to conform with utility company requirements and standards. Utility services must be installed in a manner consistent with Title 27 of the County Code (Electrical Code). The planning director may waive compliance with any or all provisions of this section if the director finds one or more of the following:

    1.

    That an existing building is being renovated, reconstructed, repaired or added to at an aggregate cost which does not exceed fifty percent of the reasonable replacement value of such building prior to such renovation, reconstruction, repair or addition.

    2.

    That the waiver will not result in a significant change in the existing visual pattern created by existing overhead service lines.

    3.

    That imposing the undergrounding requirement would impose undue financial hardship.

    4.

    That the undergrounding requirement requires going onto a neighboring property or under the street, where the pole may be located across the street from the subject property.

    In the event that the planning director is unable to grant a waiver for undergrounding of overhead utility services, the applicant may appeal the director's decision to the planning commission within ten days of a written decision being provided by the director. An appeal fee in the amount of three hundred dollars (or such other amount that may be established by city council resolution) must be paid to the city for such appeal.

(Ord. No. 692, § 1, 2-11-2014)