A. The undergrounding requirements of this section apply where the wireless telecommunications carrier, public utility, or other person’s facilities consist of cable or any other facilities which are capable of being placed underground. This section does not apply to antennas or other facilities which are required to remain aboveground in order to be functional.

B. In any area of the city in which there are no aerial facilities other than antennas or other facilities required to remain aboveground in order to be functional or otherwise for the provision of wireless services, or in any public right-of-way in which all wireless telecommunications wires and cables, and electric power wires, cables, 15,000 volts and lower, and other aerial facilities capable of undergrounding have been placed underground, no person is permitted to erect poles or to run or suspend wires, cables or other facilities thereon, but must lay such wires, cables or other facilities underground in the manner required by the city pursuant to this section, and AMC Chapters 15.32 and 19.68, if applicable.

C. If utility or street improvement projects are anticipated within the same public right-of-way within 12 months of a permittee’s proposed construction, the city may permit interim installation of aboveground facilities. In the event that the city does not require the undergrounding of such facilities at the time of initial installation, the city may, at any time in the future, require the conversion of such aboveground and/or aerial facilities to underground installation at the carrier, utility, or other person’s expense, with exceptions as set forth in RCW 35.99.060(d).

D. The city must allow new electric power lines and cables operating above 15,000 volts to be constructed aboveground when location within the city right-of-way is approved by the City Engineer.

E. Whenever a service provider or public utility undertakes an undergrounding project in any area of the city, it must underground their aboveground facilities in the manner specified by the city, concurrently and together with the other affected carriers, utilities, and other persons in the affected area. The location of any such relocated and underground facilities must be approved by the Council. Such service provider must underground their facilities at no cost to the city, except as provided in RCW 35.99.060(d).

F. In the event that the city undertakes any public improvement which would otherwise require, in the discretion of the Council, the relocation of carrier, utility, or other person’s aboveground facilities, the Council may, by written notice to such persons, direct that any such facilities be converted to underground facilities. Any such conversion must be done subject to and in accordance with applicable schedules and tariffs on file with the WUTC or such other regulatory agency having jurisdiction. (Ord. 3039 § 2, 2019)