Except as otherwise permitted by law, franchise or elsewhere in this code, in all areas of the city where the cables, wires and other similar facilities of a utility company are placed underground, each utility company shall construct and install its cables, wires and other facilities underground. Utility cabinets may be placed above ground if existing technology reasonably requires, but shall be of such size and design and shall be so located as not to be unsightly or unsafe as determined by the director. In any area of the city where there are certain cables, wires and similar facilities of a utility company underground and at least one operable cable, wire or like facility of a utility company suspended above ground from poles, a utility company may construct and install its cables, wires and other facilities from the same poles.
With respect to any cables, wires and similar facilities constructed and installed by a utility company above ground, the company shall, at its sole expense, reconstruct and reinstall such cables, wires or other facilities underground pursuant to any project under which the cables, wires or other like facilities of such utilities are placed underground within an area. The duty of a utility company to underground shall arise if all existing above ground like facilities of such utilities are required to be placed underground. (Ord. 2009-022 § 2)