Salt Lake City Right of Way

Telecommunication Services consists of wireless, internet, and/or cellular data provided to an end user, the public or its customer. Telecom service providers install, operate and maintain the telecommunication facilities to include conduit, fiber optic, cable, antenna, meter, utility box or pole, or other facilities, for residents, businesses, and utilizes solely for the use including surface, subsurface and airspace within the public right of way.

To grant use of the City right of way for the purpose of telecommunication services, the City grants three types of right of way agreements, a Franchise Agreement, Telecom Right of Way Permit or Master License Agreement, whichever is consistent with the type of telecommunication service being provided (described below). The City grants the right to use the right of way for a said period of time (term) in accordance with the telecommunication agreement granted (described below).  In consideration for the use of the right of way, the service provider agrees to pay a fee and shall be calculated and imposed under Salt Lake City Code (described below).  

Telecommunications Right of Way Permit

A non-exclusive telecom permit issued to the telecommunication service provider for the benefit of the end user (customer) for the purpose of installing, constructing and maintaining conduit and fiber optic cable in the City right of way. 

Franchise Agreement

A non-exclusive franchise agreement issued to the telecommunication service provider for the benefit of the end user (public consumer) for the purpose of installing, constructing and maintaining telecommunication lines, cables, fiber optic, poles and other facilities in the City right of way. The City considers it to be in the best interests of the City, and in furtherance of the health, safety, and welfare of the public, to grant such franchise to the company and in accordance and all applicable City ordinances and state and federal law, including the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Franchise Ordinance:

The franchise agreement is transmitted to City Council and adopts a franchise ordinance approving the execution and made an integral part of the franchise agreement.

Small Cell Master License Agreement 

A new legislation passed in March 2018, the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, which permits wireless providers to install small wireless facilities (SWF) within the City right of way and attach SWF to City owned infrastructure (City utility poles and lines, designated street lights, monopoles, and other attachments including but not limited to kiosks, street signs, etc.).   

A non-exclusive master license agreement will be issued to small cell wireless service providers and wireless infrastructure providers (exchange carriers) for the benefit of the end user (customer), for the purpose of providing third party broadband wireless service and expand the available data transmission bandwidth for mobile devices.  

In addition to the master license agreement, the service providers will be required to also obtain a franchise agreement (see franchise requirements above) for the purpose of installing, constructing and maintaining other telecommunication lines, cables, fiber optic, poles and other facilities in the City right of way if needed.

Master License Ordinance:

The master license agreement is transmitted to City Council and adopts a master license ordinance approving the execution and made an integral part of the master license agreement.