13.16.020 Matters subject to franchise.
Except insofar as it may be entitled to do so by direct authority of the Constitution or general laws of California, or of the Constitution or laws of the United States, no corporation, firm, partnership, public agency or district or political subdivision of the state shall exercise any privilege or provide any utility services enumerated in this section unless it shall have been granted an appropriate franchise therefor by the city, namely:
A. Construct, lay, maintain or operate pipes, tubes or conduits along, upon, over, in, under or across any public place in the city for the purpose of collecting, transmitting or distributing water, wastewater, gas, steam, or other substance or utility;
B. Erect, construct, lay, maintain or operate poles, pipes, conduits, wires, cables, or appurtenances, upon, over, under, in, across or along any public place in the city for the purpose of transmitting or distributing power, electricity or electric energy, or for a communication by telephone, telegraph, or other system;
C. Construct, maintain or operate any other plants or system necessary or convenient for furnishing the city and its inhabitants with transportation, communication, water, wastewater collection and disposal services, light, power or other public utility services.
The term “public place” as used herein shall be deemed to include any street, highway, lane, alley, court or other public place in the city. (Ord. 97-8 § 1, 1997)