Municipal Code, Complete - City of Santa Barbara

22.38.100 Overhead Utilities Prohibited Where Services Underground.
A. UNLAWFUL TO INSTALL. It shall be unlawful for any person or utility to erect, construct, place, or install
any utility poles, overhead wires, overhead conduits, or associated overhead structures:
1. Along any public or private street, road, drive or access, public right of way, or other corridor in which
the electrical power utility distribution lines or services for electricity have been placed or located underground; or,
2. Along any public or private street, road, drive or access, public right of way, or other corridor in which
the principal utilities providing service for that corridor are maintained underground.
B. UNLAWFUL TO MAINTAIN. It shall be unlawful for any person or utility to keep, maintain, continue,
employ or operate utility poles, overhead wires, overhead conduits or associated overhead structures which have been
installed, constructed or otherwise placed in violation of this Chapter. (Ord. 5048, 1998.)
22.38.110 Emergency Exceptions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 22.38.100, overhead facilities may be installed and maintained for a
period, not to exceed thirty (30) days, as necessary in order to provide emergency service. Emergency overhead
facilities may be installed and maintained for a period in excess of 30 days, but not to exceed 180 days, upon the
approval of the Public Works Director. (Ord. 5048, 1998.)
22.38.120 Unusual Circumstances and Other Exceptions.
With respect to overhead utility services and notwithstanding the provisions of Section 22.38.100, the City
Council may authorize, on such terms and conditions as the Council may deem appropriate, a person or utility to
erect, construct, install, maintain, use or operate overhead structures for any of the following services:
A. Poles, wires, and associated overhead structures for a period of time longer than one hundred and eighty
(180) days as necessary to address emergency conditions, or to correct for damage to, loss of, unusual, or interrupted,
utility service(s);
B. Municipal facilities or equipment installed under the supervision and to the satisfaction of the Public Works
Director;
C. Poles or electroliers used exclusively for street lighting;
D. Overhead wires (exclusive of supporting structures) to cross a portion of the area serviced by underground
utilities or connecting to buildings on the perimeter of such area when such wires originate in an area from which
poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures are not prohibited;
E. Poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures used for the transmission of electric energy at
nominal voltages in excess of 34,500 volts;
F. Overhead 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;
G. Antennae, associated equipment and supporting structures, used by a utility for furnishing communication
services;
H. Equipment which is appurtenant to underground facilities, such as surface mounted transformers, pedestal
mounted terminal boxes, meter cabinets and concealed ducts;
I. Temporary poles, overhead wires and associated overhead structures used or to be used in conjunction with
construction projects; and,
J. Poles, wires, and associated overhead structures which were existing in place on January 1, 1997. (Ord.
5048, 1998.)
22.38.125 Utilities Installed in Rights of Way, Permit Required.
In order to provide for coordination of conduits and protection for existing utility services, it shall be unlawful for
any person or utility to place, install, construct or maintain overhead or underground utilities lines, conduits, poles,
services or other improvements within a City street, public alley or other public right of way without approval by
Public Works Permit issued by the Public Works Director. (Ord. 5048, 1998.)
407 rev. 12/31/09