ORDINANCE NO. BL2016-377

An ordinance to amend Title 13 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws by adding a new chapter to require utility companies to give written notice to property owners within six hundred feet of any utility work or maintenance that requires vegetation trimming or disrupts vehicular or pedestrian traffic.

NOW, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Title 13 of the Code of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is hereby amended by adding the following new Chapter 13.21 – Maintenance and Work by Utility Companies:

Chapter 13.21 – Maintenance and Work by Utility Companies

13.21.010 - Notice Requirement for Utility and Maintenance work by a Utility Company.

a. For any utility work or maintenance effort that requires a disruption to vehicular or pedestrian traffic flow in excess of 48 hours or vegetation trimming, property owners within six hundred feet of the subjected property must be provided written notice from the utility company conducting such work. For regularly scheduled work or maintenance, written notice shall be provided at least 48 hours before the vegetation trimming or traffic disruption occurs. In the event such work is for emergency repairs, the notice required herein shall be waived, provided that notice shall be given as soon as practicable to the subjected property owners, setting forth both the work being undertaken and the purposes for such emergency repairs.
b. For the purposes of this section, written notice shall provide the following information: (1) the purpose of the maintenance or utility work; (2) a description of the maintenance or utility work to be performed; (3) the expected beginning date and duration of the maintenance or utility work; and (4) the name, address, and telephone number of a contact person available to provide information related to the project and to receive questions or comments from the public.
c. For purposes of this chapter, "Utility companies" means any person, governmental body, organization, or entity of any type, and their agents, representatives, and employees, supplying electricity, natural gas, water, communications, or similar or associated services to the residential areas of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.

13.21.020 – Failure to Provide Notice.

If a utility company fails to provide notice as described in section 13.21.010, the company shall be subject to a fine of $50 for each offense. Each day of a violation shall constitute a separate offense.

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Steve Glover

Requests for ADA accommodation should be directed to the Metropolitan Clerk at 615/862-6770.