San Joaquin County Municipal Code Ch. 9-609 Underground and Overhead Utilities

This Chapter specifies requirements and standards for underground and overhead utilities.

Utility distribution facilities shall comply with the following requirements:

(a) Underground Distribution and Transmission. All utility distribution and transmission facilities supplying electric, communication, or similar service within, or passing through, any development project shall be placed underground. In this context, the word "facilities" excludes facilities used for street lighting, traffic signals, pedestals for police and fire system communications and alarms, pad-mounted transformers, pedestals, pedestal-mounted terminal boxes and meter cabinets, concealed ducts, substations, and facilities carrying over 35,000 volts.

(b) Location for Underground Facilities. Underground distribution facilities for public utilities shall be in a public right-of-way or public utility easement. No public utility distribution facilities shall be located outside a public right-of-way or public utility easement except in providing service to the lot on which they are located.

(c) Rural Residential Subdivision. In rural residential subdivisions, the Zoning Administrator may waive the requirement for underground facilities upon finding that such undergrounding is economically infeasible, incompatible with the surrounding area, or impossible due to physical constraints.

(d) Location of Overhead Utilities. Overhead utility lines, when permitted in a development, shall be in a public right-of-way or public utility easement. The Director of Public Works shall approve the precise location of poles supporting such overhead lines.

(e) Timing of Installation. Any underground utility improvements, installed or to be installed in a subdivision by the subdivider, that cross underneath the right-of-way of any roadway shall be installed prior to the improvement of any such roadway in the subdivision.