(A) Underground installation. All electric and communication utility lines and services, and all road lighting circuits, except as hereinafter provided, must be installed underground, and road lighting shall be provided by means of the utility’s standard ornamental facilities.
(1) Exception. If existing utilities exist and do not allow for underground installation, then above-ground installation is permitted.
(B) Exceptions from underground utility requirements.
(1) Transformers, switching boxes, terminal boxes, meter cabinets, pedestals, ducts and other facilities necessary appurtenant to such underground and road lighting facilities may be placed above ground within the utility easement provided therefor, or within the road or other public place after plans for such facilities and location thereof, have been approved by the county;
(2) All facilities reasonably necessary to connect underground facilities to existing or permitted overhead or aboveground facilities; and
(3) Overhead electric transmission and distribution feeder lines and overhead communication long distance, trunk and feeder lines, existing or new utility facilities used or useful in serving the subdivision.
(C) Utilities required to be installed.
(1) All utility mains and service laterals shall be installed within the right-of-way prior to completion of the public improvements. Public improvements will not be considered complete unless utility facilities are installed;
(2) A utility permit is required by the County Highway Department to work within the county right-of-way;
(3) No building permits for any residential, commercial, or industrial structures shall be issued until public improvements are considered complete. If the utilities cannot be installed prior to completion of public improvements, they shall be installed in utility easements outside of the right-of-way; and
(4) Prior to filing the plat with the Register of Deeds, a letter of agreement between the applicant and the utility serving the site shall be submitted to the county for evidence that provisions have been made for facility sites, easements, and rights of access for electrical and natural gas.
(Ord. 14-04, passed 6-30-2015, Ch. 7, Art. 14; Ord. 19-01, passed 4-9-2019; Ord. 24-01, passed 5-14-2024)