§ 26-6. Franchise required.

(a)

The county may grant one or more non-exclusive franchises in accordance with this chapter. The county shall not grant an overbuild franchise on terms or conditions that are more favorable or less burdensome than those contained in an existing franchise.

(b)

Unless expressly permitted by applicable law, no person may construct or operate a cable system, OVS, or communications transmission facilities using the county's public rights-of-way without a franchise or applicable authorization granted by the county, and no person may be granted a franchise without having entered into a franchise agreement with the county pursuant to this chapter.

(c)

Unless otherwise authorized by law, any franchise granted pursuant to this chapter is solely for the provision of cable service and shall not be construed to authorize the provision of telephone, non-cable video, or other communications service unless otherwise provided by applicable law.

(d)

Any person who operates a cable system, Open Video System, or provides cable service in the county without a franchise or other appropriate authority may be subject to penalties as provided herein and other sanctions as provided by applicable law. Such violations may be punishable as provided in sections 1-6 and 1-1 of this Code, as well as other appropriate sanctions under applicable law.

(Ord. No. 02-18, § 2, 7-30-02)