Millbrae Municipal Code Ch. 8.30 Undergrounding of Utilities

This chapter establishes regulations and procedures for the undergrounding (subsurface placement) of utility poles, lines, wires, and associated structures for new construction and existing developments.

The intent of this chapter is to minimize negative visual impacts caused by above grade utilities, including telephone, electrical, cable television, and other wiring conduits, and by similar facilities and other equipment required by utility providers, including transformers.

(Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

Whenever in this chapter the words or phrases hereinafter in this section defined are used, they shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the following definitions:

A.

"Commission"

means the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California.

B.

"Underground utility district" or "district"

means that area in the city within which poles, wires, and associated structures are prohibited above grade as such area is described in a resolution adopted pursuant to the provisions of MMC § 8.30.050.

C.

“New construction”

includes new projects and existing projects involving an addition of 50% or more square feet beyond the legally existing size of the structure and tenant improvements of standalone buildings (adaptive re-use) that equate to more than 50% of the current valuation.

D.

"Poles, overhead wires and associated structures"

means poles, towers, supports, wires, conductors, guys, stubs, platforms, crossarms, braces, transformers, insulators, cutouts, switches, communications circuits, appliances, attachments and appurtenances used or useful in supplying electric, communication or similar or associated service. Said term does not include television and radio antennae.

E.

“Underground” or “subsurface”

means that no above grade pad mounted equipment, power lines, or cables are allowed.

F.

"Utility"

includes all persons or entities supplying electric, communication or similar or associated service by means of electrical materials or devices.

(Formerly 8.30.010; 1966 Code § 6200; 1976 Code § 8-6.01; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

For all new construction projects as defined in MMC § 8.30.020C, all utility poles, wires and associated structures required for the project shall be constructed, installed, or otherwise implemented underground or subsurface, unless infeasible, as determined by the Director of Public Works.

(Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

Notwithstanding the placement of poles, wires and associated structures for new construction developments, the council may from time to time call public hearings to ascertain whether the public necessity, health, safety or welfare requires the removal of above grade poles, wires and associated structures within designated areas of the city and the underground installation of wires and facilities for supplying electric, communication, or similar or associated service. The city clerk shall notify all affected property owners as shown on the last equalized assessment roll and utilities concerned by mail of the time and place of such hearings at least 10 days prior to the date thereof.

(Formerly 8.30.020; 1966 Code § 6201; 1976 Code § 8-6.02; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

If, after such public hearing the council finds that the public necessity, health, safety or welfare requires such removal and such underground installation within a designated area, the council shall, by resolution, declare such designated area an underground utility district and order such removal and underground installation. Such resolution shall include a description of the area comprising such district and shall fix the time within which such removal and underground installation shall be accomplished and within which affected property owners must be ready to receive underground service. A reasonable time shall be allowed for such removal and underground installation, having due regard for the availability of labor, materials and equipment necessary for such removal and for the installation of such underground facilities as may be occasioned thereby.

(Formerly 8.30.030; 1966 Code § 6202; 1976 Code § 8-6.03; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

Whenever the council creates an underground utility district and orders the removal of above grade poles, wires and associated structures therein as provided in MMC § 8.30.050, it shall be unlawful for any person or utility to erect, construct, place, keep, maintain, continue, employ or operate above grade poles, wires and associated structures in the district after the date when said above grade facilities are required to be removed by such resolution, except as said above grade facilities may be required to furnish service to an owner or occupant of property prior to the performance by such owner or occupant of the underground work necessary for such owner or occupant to continue to receive utility service as provided in MMC § 8.30.110 and for such reasonable time required to remove said facilities after said work has been performed, and except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(Formerly 8.30.040; 1966 Code § 6203; 1976 Code § 8-6.04; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, above grade facilities may be installed and maintained for a period, not to exceed 20 days, without authority of the council in order to provide emergency service. The council may grant special permission, on such terms as the council may deem appropriate, in cases of unusual circumstances, without discrimination as to any person or utility, to erect, construct, install, maintain, use or operate above grade poles, wires and associated structures. Temporary above grade poles, wires and associated structures used or to be used in conjunction with construction projects may also be maintained, with approval of the building official.

(Formerly 8.30.050; 1966 Code § 6204; 1976 Code § 8-6.05; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

In any resolution adopted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050, the city may authorize any or all of the following exceptions:

A. Any municipal facilities or equipment installed under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the city engineer;

B. Poles, or electroliers used exclusively for street lighting;

C. Above grade wires (exclusive of supporting structures) crossing any portion of a district within which above grade wires have been prohibited, or connecting to buildings on the perimeter of a district, when such wires originate in an area from which above grade poles, wires and associated structures are not prohibited;

D. Above grade poles, wires and associated structures used for the transmission of electric energy at nominal voltages in excess of 34,500 volts;

E. Above grade wires attached to the exterior surface of a building by means of a bracket or other fixture and extending from one location on the building to another location on the same building or to an adjacent building without crossing any public street;

F. Antennas, associated equipment and supporting structures, used by a utility for furnishing communication services;

G. Equipment appurtenant to underground facilities, such as surface-mounted transformers, pedestal-mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets, and concealed ducts.

(Formerly 8.30.060; 1966 Code § 6205; 1976 Code § 8-6.06; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

Within 10 days after the effective date of a resolution adopted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050, the city clerk shall notify all affected utilities and all persons owning real property within the district created by said resolution, of the adoption thereof. Said city clerk shall further notify such affected property owners of the necessity that, if they or any person occupying such property desire to continue to receive electric, communication, or similar or associated service, they or such occupant shall provide all necessary facility changes on their premises so as to receive such service from the lines of the supplying utility or utilities at a new location subject to applicable rules, regulations and tariffs of the respective utility or utilities on file with the commission.

The notification of the city clerk shall be as follows:

A. Mailing a copy of the resolution adopted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050, together with a copy of this chapter, to affected property owners as such are shown on the last equalized assessment roll and to the affected utilities;

B. Posting a copy of the resolution adopted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050, along all open streets within the district established at not more than 300 feet apart and not less than three in all;

C. Publication of the resolution adopted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050, at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the city, which publication shall be made within 15 days of the adoption of the resolution hereinabove mentioned.

(Formerly 8.30.070; 1966 Code § 6206; 1976 Code § 8-6.07; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

If underground construction is necessary to provide utility service within a district created by any resolution adopted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050, the supplying utility shall furnish that portion of the conduits, conductors and associated equipment required to be furnished by it under its applicable rules, regulations and tariffs on file with the commission.

(Formerly 8.30.080; 1966 Code § 6207; 1976 Code § 8-6.08; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

A. Every person owning, operating, leasing, occupying or renting a building or structure within a district shall construct and provide that portion of the service connection on his property between the facilities referred to in MMC § 8.30.100 and the termination facility on or within said building or structure being served, all in accordance with the applicable rules, regulations and tariffs of the respective utility or utilities on file with the commission. If the above is not accomplished by any person within the time provided for in the resolution enacted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050, the city engineer shall give notice in writing to the person in possession of such premises, and a notice in writing to the owner thereof as shown on the last equalized assessment roll to provide the required underground facilities within 10 days after receipt of such notice.

B. The notice to provide the required underground facilities may be given either by personal service or by mail. In case of service by mail on either of such persons, the notice must be deposited in the United States mail in a sealed envelope with postage prepaid, addressed to the person in possession of such premises at such premises, and the notice must be addressed to the owner thereof as such owner's name appears, and must be addressed to such owner's last known address as the same appears on the last equalized assessment roll, and when no address appears, to General Delivery, City of Millbrae. If notice is given by mail, such notice shall be deemed to have been received by the person to whom it has been sent within 48 hours after the mailing thereof. If notice is given by mail to either the owner or occupant of such premises, the city engineer shall, within 48 hours after the mailing thereof, cause a copy thereof printed on a card not less than eight inches by 10 inches in size, to be posted in a conspicuous place on said premises.

C. The notice given by the city engineer to provide the required underground facilities shall particularly specify what work is required to be done, and shall state that if said work is not completed within 30 days after receipt of such notice, the city engineer will provide such required underground facilities, in which case the cost and expense thereof will be assessed against the property benefited and become a lien upon such property.

D. If upon the expiration of the 30-day period the said required underground facilities have not been provided, the city engineer shall forthwith proceed to do the work; provided, however, if such premises are unoccupied and no electric or communications services are being furnished thereto, the city engineer shall in lieu of providing the required underground facilities, have the authority to order the disconnection and removal of any and all above grade service wires and associated facilities supplying utility service to said property. Upon completion of the work by the city engineer, he shall file a written report with the city council setting forth the fact that the required underground facilities have been provided and the cost thereof, together with a legal description of the property against which such cost is to be assessed. The council shall thereupon fix a time and place for hearing protests against the assessment of the cost of such work upon said premises, which said time shall not be less than 10 days thereafter.

E. The city engineer shall forthwith, upon the time for hearing such protests having been fixed, give a notice in writing to the person in possession of such premises, and a notice in writing thereof to the owner thereof, in the manner hereinabove provided for the giving of the notice to provide the required underground facilities, of the time and place that the council will pass upon such report and will hear protests against such assessment. Such notice shall also set forth the amount of the proposed assessment.

F. Upon the date and hour set for the hearing of protests, the council shall hear and consider the report of all protests, if there are any, and then proceed to affirm, modify or reject the assessment.

G. If any assessment is not paid within five days after its confirmation by the council, the amount of the assessment shall become a lien upon the property against which the assessment is made by the city engineer, and the city engineer is directed to turn over to the assessor and the tax collector a notice of lien on each of said properties on which the assessment has not been paid, and said assessor and tax collector shall add the amount of said assessment to the next regular bill for taxes levied against the premises upon which said assessment was not paid. Said assessment shall be due and payable at the same time as said property taxes are due and payable, and if not paid when due and payable, shall bear interest at the rate of 6% per annum.

(Formerly 8.30.090; 1966 Code § 6208; 1976 Code § 8-6.09; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

The city shall remove at its own expense all city-owned equipment from all poles required to be removed under this chapter in ample time to enable the owner or user of such poles to remove the same within the time specified in the resolution enacted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050.

(Formerly 8.30.100; 1966 Code § 6209; 1976 Code § 8-6.10; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

In the event that any act required by this chapter or by a resolution adopted pursuant to MMC § 8.30.050 cannot be performed within the time provided on account of shortage of materials, war, restraint by public authorities, strikes, labor disturbances, civil disobedience, or any other circumstances beyond the control of the actor, then the time within which such act will be accomplished shall be extended for a period equivalent to the time of such limitation.

(Formerly 8.30.110; 1966 Code § 6210; 1976 Code § 8-6.11; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)

It is unlawful for any person to violate any provisions or to fail to comply with any requirements of this chapter.

(Formerly 8.30.120; 1966 Code § 6211; 1976 Code § 8-6.12; Ord. 260 § 1; Ord. 823, 3/24/2026)