Santa Clara Municipal Code Art. XIV Franchises

The City Council may by ordinance provide a procedure for the granting of franchises or grant franchises pursuant to the procedure provided by the State law. Franchises may be granted for the use by any public utility of the streets, public places or property of the City upon such terms, conditions, restrictions and limitations as may be prescribed by ordinance, but no franchise shall be granted without reserving to the City adequate compensation for the privilege conferred. Such franchises may be granted either for a fixed or an indeterminate period.