Chapter 13.84
CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

Sections:

13.84.010    Construction standards.

13.84.020    Construction codes.

13.84.030    Utility permits.

13.84.035    Applications.

13.84.038    Coordination of construction activities.

13.84.040    Location of facilities.

13.84.050    Conduit occupancy.

13.84.060    Occupancy of county-owned conduit.

13.84.010 Construction standards.

No person shall commence or continue with the construction, installation or operation of telecommunications facilities and cable television facilities within the county except as provided in Chapters 13.60 through 13.92 JCC; provided, however, the provisions of this chapter shall be in addition to the requirements of the ordinance establishing accommodation of utilities upon Jefferson County rights-of-way (Chapter 13.56 JCC), as enacted or from time to time amended. [Ord. 2-00 § 1]

13.84.020 Construction codes.

Telecommunications facilities and cable television facilities shall be constructed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local codes, rules and regulations including, but not limited to, the National Electrical Safety Code. Telecommunications facilities and cable television facilities shall comply with the most recent standards in the utility ordinance, other public works standards, and applicable county codes. [Ord. 2-00 § 1]

13.84.030 Utility permits.

No person shall construct or install any telecommunications facilities or cable systems within the rights-of-way without a utility permit, as provided under Chapter 13.56 JCC; provided, however:

(1) No permit shall be issued for the construction or installation of telecommunications facilities or cable television facilities within the county unless the telecommunications carrier has filed a registration statement with the county pursuant to Chapters 13.60 through 13.92 JCC; and

(2) No permit shall be issued for the construction or installation of telecommunications facilities or cable television facilities in the rights-of-way unless the grantee has applied for and received a franchise, cable television franchise or license pursuant to Chapters 13.60 through 13.92 JCC.

(3) Unless otherwise provided by law, or the specific terms of a franchise, cable television franchise or license, no permit shall be issued for the construction or installation of telecommunications facilities or cable television facilities without payment of all fees pursuant to Chapters 13.60 through 13.92 JCC. [Ord. 2-00 § 1]

13.84.035 Applications.

Applications for permits to construct telecommunications facilities and cable television facilities shall be submitted in accordance with the Jefferson County Code and associated policies and procedures. The applicant shall pay all associated fees and shall include any additional information necessary to process the permit as requested by the administrator. The application shall be accompanied by drawings, plans, and specifications in sufficient detail to demonstrate:

(1) That the facilities will be constructed in accordance with all applicable codes, rules and regulations;

(2) The location and route of all facilities to be installed on existing utility poles or structures, along with written evidence in the form of a lease or other agreement showing that grantee has permission to install its facilities on that existing pole or structure;

(3) The location and route of all facilities to be located under the surface of the ground, including the line and grade proposed for the burial at all points along the route which are within the rights-of-way;

(4) The location of all other facilities to be constructed within the county, but not within rights-of-way;

(5) The engineering design criteria and methods to be employed both during and after construction for protecting existing structures, fixtures and facilities within or adjacent to rights-of-way. [Ord. 2-00 § 1]

13.84.038 Coordination of construction activities.

(1) All grantees are required to cooperate with the county and with each other. Coordination of all work shall be in accordance with the project coordination provisions contained in the current accommodation of utilities upon Jefferson County rights-of way ordinance (Chapter 13.56 JCC).

(2) Underground Utilities Council. A grantee shall be a member of and operate within the policies established by both the Jefferson County underground utility coordinating council and the statewide One Call Underground Utility Locate Center. [Ord. 2-00 § 1]

13.84.040 Location of facilities.

Unless otherwise required in current or future county ordinances regarding underground construction requirements, all facilities shall be constructed, installed and located in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

(1) Telecommunications facilities shall be installed using methods consistent with the standards, codes, and regulations applicable to the type of telecommunications facilities and the current accommodation of utilities upon Jefferson County rights-of way ordinance (Chapter 13.56 JCC).

(2) Telecommunications facilities shall be installed within an existing underground duct or conduit whenever excess capacity exists within such utility facility.

(3) A grantee, with written authorization to install overhead facilities shall install its telecommunications facilities on pole attachments to existing utility poles only, and then only if surplus space is available on the existing utility poles.

(4) Whenever all existing telephone, electric utilities, cable systems or telecommunications facilities are located underground within rights-of-way, a licensee or franchisee with written authorization to occupy the same rights-of-way must also locate its telecommunications facilities underground.

(5) Whenever all new or existing telephone, electric utilities, cable television facilities or telecommunications facilities are located or relocated underground within rights-of-way, a licensee or franchisee that currently occupies the same rights-of-way shall concurrently relocate its facilities underground at its expense. [Ord. 2-00 § 1]

13.84.050 Conduit occupancy.

In furtherance of the public purpose of reduction of rights-of-way excavation, it is the goal of the county to encourage both the shared occupancy of underground conduit as well as the construction, whenever possible, of excess conduit capacity for occupancy of future rights-of-way occupants. Therefore, if a franchisee or licensee is constructing underground conduit for its own telecommunications facility, and the county reasonably determines such construction is in an area in which another telecommunications carrier may also construct telecommunications facilities in the future, including, but not limited to, major roadways, critical areas, other environmentally sensitive areas, and urban areas, the county may request the franchisee or licensee to construct excess conduit capacity in the rights-of-way, provided the expense of such excess conduit capacity shall be borne by the county or other such person who contracts with the county to bear the expense. [Ord. 2-00 § 1]

13.84.060 Occupancy of county-owned conduit.

If the county owns or leases conduit in the path of grantee’s proposed telecommunications facilities, and provided it is technologically and economically feasible for grantee to occupy the conduit owned or leased by the county, grantee shall be required to occupy the conduit owned or leased by the county in order to reduce the necessity to excavate the rights-of-way. Grantee shall pay to the county a fee for such occupancy calculated pursuant to the federal formula for conduit leases, or a mutually agreeable rate if no such formula exists. [Ord. 2-00 § 1]