Location of facilities.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 429.100
in effect429.100. - Location of facilities.
(a) Undergrounding. Unless otherwise permitted by an existing franchise, Section 99.860 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances or Minn. Statute, Section 216B.36, or unless existing above-ground facilities are used, the installation of new facilities and replacement of old facilities shall be done underground or contained within buildings or other structures in conformity with applicable codes.
The city engineer may approve the above ground location and installation of the following if they do not create any unreasonable safety, maintenance, or aesthetic concerns, or conflict with the current use of the right-of-way. In approving the above ground locations, the city engineer shall consider the size of the proposed facility in relation to the proposed site.
(1) New poles and new pole lines under six hundred (600) feet in length which do not conflict with existing or planned trees or other facilities.
(2) New ancillary facilities and appurtenances to existing facilities, such as transformers, meters, junction boxes and splice boxes.
(3) New junction boxes for existing underground utility service to individual locations and homes.
(4) New communication towers, antennae, and related new facilities and appurtenances which have already received zoning and any other necessary approvals.
(5) The repair or placement of existing above ground facilities with similar new facilities.
(6) Any other new facilities which the city engineer has determined that, due to expense, nature, or function cannot be placed underground.
(b) Locations. The city engineer shall assign specific locations within the right-of-way, or any particular segment thereof as may be necessary, for each type of facility that is or, pursuant to current technology, that the city engineer expects will someday be located within the right-of-way. All excavation, obstruction, or other permits issued by the city engineer involving the installation or replacement of facilities shall designate the proper corridor for the facilities.
(c) Nuisance. One year after the passage of this chapter, any equipment or facility found in a right-of-way that has not been registered shall be deemed to be a nuisance. The city may exercise any remedies or rights it has at law or in equity, including, but not limited to, abating the nuisance taking possession of the equipment or facilities and restoring the right-of-way to a useable condition.
(d) Limitation of space. The city engineer shall have the power to prohibit or limit the placement of new or additional facilities at specific locations within the right-of-way if there is insufficient space to accommodate all of the requests of registrants or persons to occupy and use the right-of-way. In making such decisions, the city engineer shall strive to the extent possible to accommodate all existing and potential users of the right-of-way, but shall be guided primarily by considerations of the public interest, the public's needs for the particular utility service, the condition of the right-of-way, the time of year with respect to essential utilities, the protection of existing facilities in the right-of-way, and future city plans for public improvements and development projects which have been determined to be in the public interest. (96-Or-126, § 1, 11-22-96; 97-Or-068, § 6, 8-8-97; 2000-Or-025, § 9, 4-21-00; 2000-Or-061, § 1, 7-14-00)
Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MICOOR_TIT17STSI_CH429RI-WAD_429.100LOFAFetched: 11/2/2026