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Subjects › Telecommunications › Master Telecommunications Ordinances
Updated 01/2012

Master Telecommunications Ordinances / Code Provisions

NOTE: Anyone drafting a telecommunications ordinance needs to review the Auburn v. Qwest (Adobe Acrobat Document) 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision of April, 2001.  

  • Bainbridge Island - Title 19, Communications Systems and Right-of-Way Use - Providing comprehensive regulations covering all companies that install telecommunications infrastructure in the city, originally adopted October 2002, and subsequently amended.
  • Bellingham - Ordinance No. 1998-09-074 - Adds Ch. 6.70, Utility and Telecommunications Providers, and Ch. 13.15relating to Utility and Telecommunications Providers Use of the Right of Way.  The links to the chapters in the Bellingham Municipal Code show amendments made since original adoption in 1998.
  • Gig Harbor -  Chapter 12.18, Right-of-Way Use – Master Use Permits and Utility Relocation
  • Issaquah - Ordinance No. 2593 (Adobe Acrobat Document) -Adds Ch. 12.60, Telecomunications, establishing requirements for telecommunications carriers� use of the public rights-of-way and public property; describing the procedures for application and approval of telecommunications franchises, passed September 20, 2010
  • Kirkland - Title 26, Right-of-Way - Communications Telecommunications
  • Pierce County - Ordinance No. 2002-59 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Amends Chapter 12.32, Right-of-Way Franchises for Public and Private Utilities, to comply with the Telecommunications Act of 1996, as interpreted by the Ninth Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals, passed December 10, 2002
  • Pierce County - Ordinance No. 2002-60 (Adobe Acrobat Document) - Amends Chapter 12.34, Cable or Telecommunications Users of Pierce County Rights-of-Way, to comply with the Telecommunications Act Of 1996, as interpreted by the Ninth Circuit U. S. Court Of Appeals, passed December 10, 2002
  • Port Angeles - Ordinance 3083 - Adds Ch. 11.14, Telecommunications Facilities Within Rights-of-Way, June 18, 2001. Please note that this ordinance was drafted after the Auburn v. Qwest (Adobe Acrobat Document) federal court ruling.
  • Tacoma - Title 16, Cable Systems, Open Video Systems, Telecommunications Systems, and Private Communications, passed
  • Tumwater - Title 11, Telecommunications and Telecommunications Facilities.