Lafayette Municipal Code Art. 2 Requirements for Underground Construction

The requirements for underground utilities in new residential subdivisions are set forth in Section 8475 of the County Ordinance Code as adopted by the city.

(Ord. 18 § 1 (part), 1968)

The city council shall fix the requirements for construction of, or conversion to, underground facilities by the creation of underground utility zones as provided in Sections 7-321 through 7-331.

(Ord. 18 § 1 (part), 1968)

New extensions of existing utility distribution facilities (including, but not limited to, electric, communication, and cable televisions lines), constructed or installed in the city after January 1, 1973 shall be placed underground.

(Ord. 96 § 1, 1972)

(a) New Buildings. Electric and communication service wires and cables to a new building or structure shall be placed underground unless special permission to construct the facilities above ground is granted, as provided in Section 7-303.

(b) Remodeled Buildings. Except in the single-family residential and agricultural land use districts, electric and communication service wires and cables to a building or structure being remodeled (when remodeling requires the relocation or replacement of the property owners main service equipment or when the actual cost of the remodeling exceeds 50 percent of the assessed value of the existing improvements on the property) shall be placed underground unless special permission to construct the facilities above ground is granted, as provided in Section 7-303.

(Ord. 96 § 2, 1972)

It is the responsibility of the applicant for electric, communication or similar or associated service to make the necessary arrangements with the utility company involved for the underground installation of wires and facilities required for the new extension or service pursuant to Sections 7-313 and 7-314. The arrangements shall be in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and tariffs of the utility on file with the California Public Utilities Commission.

(Ord. 96 § 3, 1972)

Nothing in Sections 7-313, 7-314 or 7-315 shall prohibit (a) the maintenance and operation of existing overhead facilities, (b) the installation of additional overhead service lines to buildings or structures already served by at least one overhead utility service, and (c) the connection of underground service lines to existing overhead utility distribution equipment. A utility may interset additional poles or other supporting structures or increase the height of existing poles or other supporting structures if such work takes place within the existing easements and locational confines of existing overhead utility facilities; and may continue to maintain, repair, replace and reinforce any facility or structure in order to maintain the integrity of any facility or structure existing on or before December 31, 1972.

(Ord. 96 § 4, 1972)