12.20A.060 General conditions and requirements.

A.    Location.

(1)    Utility installations shall be located to minimize need for later adjustment, to accommodate future roadway improvements and to permit access to servicing such installations with minimum interference to roadway traffic. In areas where there is no conflict with other underground utilities, the utility shall, to the extent practical, locate all underground installations in accordance with the standard utility location guide as published by the Washington Utility Coordinating Council (Appendix A). The utility shall make specific inquiries as to long-range county road improvement plans in order to minimize both utility customer and road user inconvenience should future road improvements (on existing or new alignment) require adjustment or relocating of the utility.

(2)    Installations that are required for a road purpose, such as street lighting or traffic signals, are to be located and designed in accordance with this chapter.

(3)    The county may restrict the number of individual utility service connections and require the placement of one or more distribution lines in lieu thereof which would, in turn, provide the individual connections outside the roadway prism.

(4)    Where existing utilities or storm drains are in place, new utilities shall conform to this chapter as nearly as practical and yet be compatible with the existing installations.

(5)    All utility facilities are allowed in the right-of-way on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is the responsibility of the utilities to coordinate with other utilities, purchase right-of-way, or acquire private easements where space is limited.

B.    Design—General.

(1)    The utility shall be responsible for the design of the utility facility being proposed. This responsibility, in addition to the integrity of the proposed utility facility, shall include provisions for public safety during the course of construction as well as full consideration of traffic safety and traffic accident potential for the life of the installation. In the case of proposed attachment to existing bridges and structures, the utility shall be responsible to determine the bridge or structure’s ability to carry the additional load.

(2)    The county shall review the utility’s plans with respect to (a) location, (b) the manner in which the utility facility is to be installed, and (c) measures to be taken to preserve safe and free flow of traffic, structural integrity of the roadway structure, ease of future road maintenance and appearance of the roadway. No work may commence until the county’s review is completed, all differences and questions resolved, and a written permit is issued to the utility.

(3)    For new installations or adjustment of existing utilities, provision shall be made for known or planned expansion of the utility facilities, particularly those located underground or attached to bridges or other structures within the right-of-way.

(4)    Granting of a franchise or permit shall not imply or be construed to mean the county shall be responsible for the design, construction or operation of the facility or for public safety during its installation, operation and maintenance.

C.    Standards and Codes.

All utility installations shall be designed in accordance with the standards, codes and regulations applicable to the type of utility. The methods of installation and materials used shall conform to the codes and standards promulgated by government and by the industry.

This shall also include any road design standards that the county shall deem necessary to provide adequate protection to the road, its safe operation, appearance and maintenance. (Sec. 1 of Ord. 1999-11-15)