Hidden Hills Municipal Code Art. C Franchises for Utilities

For the purposes of this Article, unless otherwise apparent from context, words and phrases used in this Article are defined as follows:

Customer: Any person or entity receiving service from a franchise at a location within the City.

Franchise or Utility Franchise: The authorization granted under this Article a) to construct and use poles, wires, conduits and appurtenances transmitting and distributing electricity; b) to use or to lay and use pipes and appurtenances for transmitting and distributing gas; or c) to use or to lay and use pipes and appurtenances for transmitting and distributing oil and to lay and use pipes.

Franchise Act: The Franchise Act of 1937 as set forth in Division 3, Chapter 2, Article 1 (commencing with Section 6201) of the Public Utilities Code.

Utility: A person authorized to engage in the transmission and distribution of oil, electricity, gas or water, other than a public agency.

(Ord. 189, 2-2-87)

No utility shall operate within a public street of the City without first securing a franchise as required by this Article.

(Ord. 189, 2-2-87)

A. A nonexclusive utility franchise to serve customers within all or any portion of the City may be granted by the City Council by ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this Article.

B. Any franchise granted pursuant to this Article shall be granted in accordance with the procedures of the Franchise Act.

C. The terms and conditions of any franchise granted under this Article shall also be consistent with the terms and conditions of the Franchise Act.

(Ord. 189, 2-2-87)

Any grantee of a utility franchise shall pay to the City a franchise fee based on the gross annual receipts of the grantee in the maximum amount permitted under the Franchise Act. Such payment shall be made by the grantee at such times and in such manner as is set forth in the ordinance granting the franchise.

(Ord. 189, 2-2-87; 1994 Code)