ELECTRIC UTILITY FEES

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 28, art. IV, div. 5

in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-521 Pole fees.

Sec. 28-521. - Pole fees. Annually, on or before January 31, all persons owning, maintaining or using poles for electrical purposes in the City streets shall pay to the collector of City taxes a fee of $2.00 for each pole owned, maintained or used by them at the end of the previous calendar year with the following exceptions: (1) Poles which support wires of the fire alarm, police telegraph and traffic control systems or any combination of these, but no other wires. (2) Poles which support streetlights and which are supplied from underground cables and do not support any wires other than those covered by Subsection (1) of this section. (Code 1993, § 29-401; Code 2004, § 106-795; Code 2015, § 28-866; Code 2020, § 28-866)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-522 Fee for underground wires.

Sec. 28-522. - Fee for underground wires. Annually, on or before January 31, all persons owning, maintaining or using wires, cables or conductors under the City streets shall pay to the collector of City taxes a fee of $10.00 for each mile of wires, cables or conductors owned, maintained or used by them at the end of the previous calendar year with the following exceptions: wires, cables and conductors used exclusively for the fire alarm, police telegraph and traffic control systems. (Code 1993, § 29-402; Code 2004, § 106-796; Code 2015, § 28-867; Code 2020, § 28-867)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-523 Application for a permit wireless facilities fees.

Sec. 28-523. - Application for a permit wireless facilities fees. (a) Any wireless services provider may file an application on forms provided by the Director to obtain or renew a permit for the attachment of wireless facilities to utility poles in accordance with this division. Such applications shall be submitted to the Director, subject to such written procedures as the Director may establish for such purpose. Each application to obtain or renew a permit shall be accompanied by payment of an annual pole attachment rental fee of $270.00, payment of the applicable Department and contractor rates set forth below to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment of a wireless facility to a utility pole and a certificate of insurance demonstrating evidence of commercial general liability insurance coverage of at least $3,000,000.00 for each occurrence and at least $5,000,000.00 in the aggregate, listing the City as an additional insured, and indicating that the City will receive at least 30 days' notice of cancellation or material modification of the policy. Rate Per Hour | Overtime Rate Per Hour Department rates to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment of a wireless facility to a utility pole for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities Overhead crew Crew supervisor | $40.00 | $60.00 First class lineman | $30.00 | $45.00 Second class lineman | $25.00 | $37.50 Ground man/truck driver | $25.00 | $37.50 Equipment operator | $20.00 | $30.00 Underground crew Crew supervisor | $40.00 | $60.00 Underground technician | $30.00 | $45.00 Ground man/helper | $25.00 | $37.50 Overhead equipment One pickup truck | $5.00 | $5.00 One bucket truck | $25.00 | $25.00 One pole trailer | $5.00 | $5.00 One line truck with digger | $25.00 | $25.00 One team truck | $5.00 | $5.00 DPU engineer | $35.00 DPU inspector | $40.00 Contractor rates to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment of a wireless facility to a utility pole for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities Overhead crew Crew supervisor | $85.00 | $120.00 First class lineman | $80.00 | $110.00 Second class lineman | $70.00 | $100.00 Ground man/truck driver | $55.00 | $75.00 Equipment operator | $50.00 | $70.00 Underground crew Crew supervisor | $75.00 | $105.00 Underground technician | $60.00 | $85.00 Ground man/helper | $40.00 | $60.00 Overhead equipment One pickup truck | $20.00 | $20.00 One bucket truck | $40.00 | $40.00 One pole trailer | $10.00 | $10.00 One line truck with digger | $45.00 | $45.00 One team truck | $30.00 | $30.00 (c) The Director shall consider the following information and materials, which the applicant shall provide with any application for a permit. The Director or the designee thereof may deem as incomplete any application not containing all of the following information: (1) The applicant's name and status as a wireless services provider and a valid electronic mail address at which the applicant may be contacted. (2) The name, address, and phone number of the authorized representative of the applicant. (3) A general statement of the applicant's proposed use of utility poles. (4) Certification by the applicant of the applicant's compliance with all applicable standards established by the Federal Communications Commission, and with all other applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. (5) Detailed plans clearly depicting the following, provided that the Director may, in the Director's discretion and to the extent permitted by law, require any such plans to be sealed by a certified land surveyor or professional engineer: a. Scaled drawing detailing the location of the utility pole on which the wireless facility will be attached. To the extent available to the applicant, all of the following information shall be included: 1. The names of the streets in the vicinity; 2. The precise location of the utility pole in the streets, including the distance to the adjacent street's right-of-way lines; 3. Approximate lot lines of adjacent properties, along with the parcel numbers, addresses, and the property owners' names; and 4. Nearby features, shown with labels, including, but not limited to, sidewalks, curbs, pavement, utility infrastructure, houses, buildings, and structures; 5. A detailed plan with an overhead view of the proposed wireless facility, including the dimensions and specifications of the antenna, base station, and all other associated wireless equipment; 6. A detailed elevation with a profile view showing the proposed location of the wireless facility on the utility pole and a drawing and labels depicting the proposed wireless facility, including the base station and all other associated equipment as well as all existing facilities and attachments located on the utility pole. The applicant shall include dimensioning to indicate the heights and separations of the facilities on the utility pole upon completion of the proposed attachment; 7. All other information as may be requested by the Director, to the extent permitted by law, to carry out the requirements of this division. (Code 2015, § 28-879; Code 2020, § 28-879; Ord. No. 2019-310, § 2(28-879), 12-9-2019)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-524 General terms of permits, wireless facilities fees.

Sec. 28-524. - General terms of permits, wireless facilities fees. Permits issued in accordance with this division shall contain, at a minimum, the following general terms and conditions: (1) A requirement that the permittee shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in the permit as prescribed by the Director in accordance with this division. (2) A requirement that the permittee shall comply with this division, the applicable requirements of the applicable standards established by the Federal Communications Commission, and all other applicable Federal, State, or local laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines. (3) A requirement that the permittee shall maintain the wireless facilities covered by a permit in a manner determined by the Director to preserve the public safety, health and welfare with respect to electric utility facilities within the City. (4) A requirement that the permittee shall protect, at the permittee's expense, the City's electric utility infrastructure, and all other City-owned real property or City-owned personal property, from damage that may be caused by the permittee's wireless facilities or any installation or maintenance thereof. (5) A provision that the Director shall take such action, as appropriate and to the extent permitted by law, to establish, maintain, and operate City-owned wireless network technologies, and self-monitoring, analysis and reporting technology and to request access to wireless facilities and bandwidth from the permittee, in order to facilitate the City's use of City-owned wireless facilities, equipment, and the radio frequency spectrum. (6) A requirement that the permittee, upon the written request of the Director, shall submit to the Director all such information and documentation as the Director may deem necessary, to the extent permitted by law, to ensure the permittee's compliance with the permit and with this division. (7) A requirement that the permittee, upon the written request of the Director, shall submit to the Director all information and documentation pertaining to the wireless facilities installed or operated by the permittee, including, but not limited to, all equipment providing service to the City pursuant to the permit and each permit issued in accordance with this division. (8) A provision authorizing the Director, upon the written request of the permittee, to modify the permit by a writing approved as to form by the City Attorney. (9) A provision authorizing the Director to modify the permit, by a writing approved as to form by the City Attorney, as the Director deems necessary to the extent required or permitted by law or for the preservation of the public safety, health, and welfare. (10) A requirement that any failure to comply with the permit requirements, the requirements of this division, or applicable Federal, State, or local laws and rules, regulations, and guidelines shall result in revocation of the permit, which revocation shall not be appealable. (11) A requirement that the Director shall provide the permittee with written notification of any revocation of the permit. (12) A requirement that the permittee shall remove all wireless facilities from utility poles covered by the permit within 30 days after the date of any written notification from the Director of the revocation of the permit. (13) A requirement that, upon the Director's determination, in accordance with criteria set forth in the rules, regulations, and guidelines issued in accordance with this division, that if a wireless facility covered by a permit in any way reduces the City's access to the radio frequency spectrum or in any way reduces the City's ability to establish, maintain, or operate one or more City-owned wireless facilities or other City-owned equipment on utility poles, the Director shall request access to such facility from the permittee, or request that the permittee mitigate such reduction or, if the request for access or mitigation is denied, revoke the permit, and provide the permittee with notice of such revocation in accordance with Subsection (11) of this section. In the case of revocation in accordance with this subsection, the permittee shall remove all wireless facilities from utility poles covered by the permit in accordance with Subsection (12) of this section. (14) A requirement that each permittee that, as determined by the Director in accordance with criteria set forth in the rules, regulations, and guidelines issued in accordance with this division, has abandoned such permittee's wireless facility, has relocated a wireless facility to another utility pole without the express written consent of the Director, or has attached to a utility pole a wireless facility in violation of this division shall pay the applicable Department and contractor rates set forth below to remove any wireless facilities. Rate Per Hour | Overtime Rate Per Hour Department rates for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities to remove any wireless facilities Overhead crew Crew supervisor | $40.00 | $60.00 First class lineman | $30.00 | $45.00 Second class lineman | $25.00 | $37.50 Ground man/truck driver | $25.00 | $37.50 Equipment operator | $20.00 | $30.00 Underground crew Crew supervisor | $40.00 | $60.00 Underground technician | $30.00 | $45.00 Ground man/helper | $25.00 | $37.50 Overhead equipment One pickup truck | $5.00 | $5.00 One bucket truck | $25.00 | $25.00 One pole trailer | $5.00 | $5.00 One line truck with digger | $25.00 | $25.00 One team truck | $5.00 | $5.00 DPU engineer | $35.00 DPU inspector | $40.00 Contractor rates for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities to remove any wireless facilities Overhead crew Crew supervisor | $85.00 | $120.00 First class lineman | $80.00 | $110.00 Second class lineman | $70.00 | $100.00 Ground man/truck driver | $55.00 | $75.00 Equipment operator | $50.00 | $70.00 Underground crew Crew supervisor | $75.00 | $105.00 Underground technician | $60.00 | $85.00 Ground man/helper | $40.00 | $60.00 Overhead equipment One pickup truck | $20.00 | $20.00 One bucket truck | $40.00 | $40.00 One pole trailer | $10.00 | $10.00 One line truck with digger | $45.00 | $45.00 One team truck | $30.00 | $30.00 (15) Any other terms or conditions that the Director deems appropriate to fulfill the requirements of this division or applicable Federal, State, or local laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines. (Code 2015, § 28-880; Code 2020, § 28-880; Ord. No. 2019-310, § 2(28-880), 12-9-2019; Ord. No. 2020-014, § 1, 1-27-2020)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-525 Issuance of permits, wireless facilities fees.

Sec. 28-525. - Issuance of permits, wireless facilities fees. Permits issued in accordance with this division shall be subject to the following limitations: (1) The Director may issue and renew one or more permits to the same permittee, provided that the permittee has filed a completed application in accordance with this division and has paid, as applicable, the annual pole attachment rental fee of $270.00 per wireless facility and the applicable Department and contractor rates set forth below to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment of a wireless facility to a utility pole. Rate Per Hour | Overtime Rate Per Hour Department rates to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment for a wireless facility to a utility pole for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities Overhead crew Crew supervisor | $40.00 | $60.00 First class lineman | $30.00 | $45.00 Second class lineman | $25.00 | $37.50 Ground man/truck driver | $25.00 | $37.50 Equipment operator | $20.00 | $30.00 Underground crew Crew supervisor | $40.00 | $60.00 Underground technician | $30.00 | $45.00 Ground man/helper | $25.00 | $37.50 Overhead equipment One pickup truck | $5.00 | $5.00 One bucket truck | $25.00 | $25.00 One pole trailer | $5.00 | $5.00 One line truck with digger | $25.00 | $25.00 One team truck | $5.00 | $5.00 DPU engineer | $35.00 DPU inspector | $40.00 Contractor rates to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment of a wireless facility to a utility pole for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities Overhead crew Crew supervisor | $85.00 | $120.00 First class lineman | $80.00 | $110.00 Second class lineman | $70.00 | $100.00 Ground man/truck driver | $55.00 | $75.00 Equipment operator | $50.00 | $70.00 Underground crew Crew supervisor | $75.00 | $105.00 Underground technician | $60.00 | $85.00 Ground man/helper | $40.00 | $60.00 Overhead equipment One pickup truck | $20.00 | $20.00 One bucket truck | $40.00 | $40.00 One pole trailer | $10.00 | $10.00 One line truck with digger | $45.00 | $45.00 One team truck | $30.00 | $30.00 (2) The applicant or permittee, as applicable, shall file an application and obtain or renew a permit for any wireless facility such permittee proposes to attach to a utility pole. A permit may cover more than one wireless facility. (3) The applicant shall demonstrate on the applicant's application that the applicant has met all of the applicable requirements of this division, the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, as amended, the applicable standards established by the Federal Communications Commission, and all other applicable Federal, State, or local laws and rules, regulations, and guidelines. (4) Each permit issued by the Director shall, at a minimum, state the following: a. The name of the permittee and the name, address, and phone number of the authorized representative of the permittee. b. The description of the wireless facility covered by the permit. c. Specifications concerning the location of the utility pole to which a wireless facility is attached and plans depicting where on the utility pole the wireless facility is installed. d. Such limitations and information, to the extent permitted by law, that the Director deems necessary for the administration of the permit in accordance with this division and for the preservation of the public safety, health, and welfare. (5) The Director, upon the written request of the permittee, may modify a permit by a writing approved as to form by the City Attorney. (6) The Director may modify a permit, by a writing approved as to form by the City Attorney, as the Director deems necessary to the extent required or permitted by law or for the preservation of the public safety, health, and welfare. (7) Permits may be initially issued for a period of 36 months and renewed for periods of 24 months each from the date of the expiration of any such permit or renewal permit, as applicable, subject to the requirements of this division and the rules, regulations, and guidelines issued in accordance with this division and provided that an application has been filed for such issuance or renewal. In addition, a permit may be renewed pursuant to terms and conditions not set forth in a permittee's previously issued or renewed permit, provided that such terms and conditions are approved by the Director and are not inconsistent with the requirements of this division. (8) Permits shall incorporate by reference the provisions of this division, the rules, regulations, and guidelines issued in accordance with this division, and the conditions set forth and information provided by the applicant or permittee in the application filed in accordance with this division. (9) The permittee shall execute a release, waiver of liability, and indemnification agreement prior to the issuance of any permit. This subsection shall not apply to governmental organizations. (10) The Director shall conduct inspections of each wireless facility covered by a permit, including all documents associated therewith, at least annually and at such other times as the Director deems necessary to the extent required or permitted by law to ensure compliance with the requirements of this division and the rules, regulations, and guidelines issued in accordance with this division. Each permittee shall pay the annual pole attachment rental fee of $270.00 per wireless facility and the applicable Department and contractor rates set forth below to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment of a wireless facility to a utility pole for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities. Rate Per Hour | Overtime Rate Per Hour Department rates to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment of a wireless facility to a utility pole for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities Overhead crew Crew supervisor | $40.00 | $60.00 First class lineman | $30.00 | $45.00 Second class lineman | $25.00 | $37.50 Ground man/truck driver | $25.00 | $37.50 Equipment operator | $20.00 | $30.00 Underground crew Crew supervisor | $40.00 | $60.00 Underground technician | $30.00 | $45.00 Ground man/helper | $25.00 | $37.50 Overhead equipment One pickup truck | $5.00 | $5.00 One bucket truck | $25.00 | $25.00 One pole trailer | $5.00 | $5.00 One line truck with digger | $25.00 | $25.00 One team truck | $5.00 | $5.00 DPU engineer | $35.00 DPU inspector | $40.00 Contractor rates to prepare, inspect, or perform other work necessary to allow for the attachment of a wireless facility to a utility pole for each permit covering one or more wireless facilities Overhead crew Crew supervisor | $85.00 | $120.00 First class lineman | $80.00 | $110.00 Second class lineman | $70.00 | $100.00 Ground man/truck driver | $55.00 | $75.00 Equipment operator | $50.00 | $70.00 Underground crew Crew supervisor | $75.00 | $105.00 Underground technician | $60.00 | $85.00 Ground man/helper | $40.00 | $60.00 Overhead equipment One pickup truck | $20.00 | $20.00 One bucket truck | $40.00 | $40.00 One pole trailer | $10.00 | $10.00 One line truck with digger | $45.00 | $45.00 One team truck | $30.00 | $30.00 (Code 2015, § 28-881; Code 2020, § 28-881; Ord. No. 2019-310, §§ 2(28-881), 3, 12-9-2019; Ord. No. 2020-014, § 1, 1-27-2020)

Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH28UT_ARTIVRAFE_DIV5ELUTFEFetched: 11/8/2026