(a) 
For purposes of this section, the following meanings shall apply:
Electric utility services.
The facilities of any person providing electric service for public use within the city but not provided by the city.
Lateral lines and service lines.
Those electric lines used to connect between the utilities’ transmission line system to the end user’s meter box.
Transmission line.
High voltage supply electric lines carrying more than 60,000 kilowatt volts.
(b) 
Except for transmission lines, all new electric utility services are to be placed underground. Transmission lines may remain overhead within the appropriate easements. However, electric utility service providers shall endeavor and, whenever practical, the city shall require that transmission lines be placed away from major or minor thoroughfares or arterials, as shown on the thoroughfare plan. Whenever practical, transmission lines which are to be placed overhead shall not be placed along both sides of the street right-of-way and shall comply with the requirements of article 16.03 of this code.
(c) 
Nothing herein shall prohibit or restrict any electric utility company from recovering the difference in cost of overhead facilities and underground utilities from the property owner in accordance with the provisions of such utility’s approved tariff.
(d) 
All electrical and telephone support equipment, including transformers, amplifiers and switching devices necessary for underground installations, shall be pad- or ground-mounted, or shall be mounted underground and not overhead. Pad- or ground-mounted utility equipment shall be completely screened from view of any public roadway, and shall not be located within any required visibility area, such as at street intersections or corners or at driveway openings.
(e) 
Temporary construction service may be provided by overhead electric lines and facilities without obtaining a variance or special exception, provided that when the underground utility service is completed, such overhead electric lines and facilities are promptly removed.
(f) 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require any facilities constructed prior to the effective date of this section to be placed underground.
(g) 
So long as Austin Energy is extending power lines for a reason other than at landowner or developer request, nothing in this section shall prevent new electric lines from being constructed and operated aboveground in public rights-of-way. However, this exemption from placing power lines underground shall not apply unless Austin Energy provides 180 days written notice to the city prior to construction of overhead lines in any town center zoning areas, or 30 days notice prior to construction of overhead lines in any other zoning district.
(Ordinance 08-06-24-A, sec. 2, adopted 6/24/08; Ordinance 94, sec. 3, adopted 7/12/11)