Norco Municipal Code Ch. 13.08 Underground Utility Installation

The city council finds that the public interest requires that all facilities and wires for supplying and distributing electrical energy and service, including telephone, telegraph, and cable television service, to be constructed in the city shall be installed underground for the following reasons:

(1) Underground installation reduces hazards to the motoring public, fire fighters and construction personnel using booms and cranes;

(2) Underground installation reduces the dangers of electrocution, fires, and property damages resulting from wind, rain, and electrical storms;

(3) Underground installation tends to reduce the frequency of interruptions of vitally needed public services;

(4) Underground installation enhances and preserves the natural beauty and rural environment of the city.

(Ord. 230 Sec. 1, 1972)

All facilities and wires for supplying and distributing electrical energy and service, including telephone, telegraph, and cable television service to be constructed in the city for direct service to subdivisions, building sites and structures shall be installed underground. Property owners will make necessary arrangements with the utility company for installation and payment.

(Ord. 230 Sec. 2, 1972)

For the purpose of this chapter underground installation shall not be required for:

(1) Transmission lines of forty thousand volt capacity and above;

(2) Structures where there is an existing overhead service of a utility; provided, however, that at such time as the utilities in the entire area are placed underground, this exception shall no longer apply.

(Ord. 230 Sec. 3, 1972)

Upon a showing by the property owner or a public utility that underground installation of wires is physically impracticable because of crossing of street, underground obstacles or adverse soil, water or geologic conditions, the city council may waive the undergrounding requirements of this chapter to the extent necessary to avoid circumstances of physical impracticability.

(Ord. 230 Sec. 4, 1972)

There is established a five member technical advisory committee, to be appointed by the city council, for the purpose of considering technical day-to-day problems and to develop recommendations for policy, rules and regulations. One member of this committee shall be a representative of the local serving utility.

(Ord. 230 Sec. 5, 1972)