Longview Electric & Gas Franchise Rates & Inspections

Utilities and Infrastructure Texas 4 Minutes Read ยท published March 08, 2026 Flag of Texas

In Longview, Texas, municipal franchise agreements and inspection practices determine how electric and gas utilities use public rights-of-way, how street and roadway lighting is inspected, and how rates or franchise fees are administered. This guide summarizes where to find governing ordinances, how lighting inspections are scheduled, what typical compliance steps look like, and how the city enforces violations for utilities and private contractors operating in Longview.

Where the law is published

The City of Longview publishes its Code of Ordinances and related resolutions through the municipal code publisher; franchise provisions, permitting requirements, and enforcement rules appear within the Code sections addressing franchises, public ways, and utilities. For the controlling ordinance text and procedural rules, consult the City Code online[1].

Franchise agreements and rates

Franchise agreements grant utilities the right to occupy streets and place poles, conduits, and meters. They may also define franchise fees, obligations for streetlighting, and maintenance responsibilities. Specific rate tables and franchise fee percentages are set either in individual franchise ordinances or by contract and may be reflected in utility tariffs where applicable.

  • Franchise fee basis - not specified on the cited page; check the specific franchise ordinance or the utility tariff for exact percentages.
  • Customer rates - not specified on the cited page; retail rates are generally set by the provider and may be filed with state regulators where required.
  • Maintenance and lighting obligations - duties for repairing and replacing streetlights are defined in franchise language or city utility agreements.
Franchise fee amounts and specific rate tables are commonly found in the franchise ordinance or the utility's tariff, not always in summary pages.

Streetlight and lighting inspections

Inspections for public streetlighting and for electrical work in the right-of-way are handled through the city department responsible for utilities, public works, or development services depending on the work type. Inspection priorities include safety, lumen output, mounting height, and conduit or pole integrity.

  • Scheduling inspections - inspections are arranged through the City of Longview utilities or development services process; contractors must request inspections per city procedures.
  • Standards - conform to the specifications in the franchise agreement, building and electrical codes adopted by the city.
  • Response times - not specified on the cited page; response times may be set by department procedure.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of franchise, lighting, and right-of-way violations is carried out under the City Code and by the enforcing departments identified in the ordinance or administrative rules. The Code provides the legal basis for notices, orders, fines, and other remedies; where numerical fines or escalating penalty schedules are not stated in a specific franchise provision, the general penalty provisions of the Code apply.

  • Fine amounts - not specified on the cited page; consult the specific ordinance section for precise monetary penalties and see the general penalty section of the City Code for defaults.
  • Escalation - first, repeat, and continuing offence treatment is not specified on the cited page and may be set in the ordinance or by administrative order.
  • Non-monetary sanctions - the city may issue repair orders, require removal or relocation of equipment, revoke permits, or seek injunctive relief in court.
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway - enforcement is handled by the department responsible for utilities, public works, or code compliance; to report an issue, contact the city's utilities or development services offices for complaint intake and inspection scheduling[2].
  • Appeals and review - appeal routes and time limits are governed by the Code or the specific franchise ordinance; if not provided in the franchise text, appeal procedures follow the city's administrative appeal rules or municipal court processes.
  • Defences and discretion - common defenses include valid permits, work performed under a variance or approved plan, emergency repairs, or reasonable excuse as determined under city discretion.
If a specific penalty or time limit is needed for a case, request the ordinance section or contract clause from the city clerk or utilities office.

Applications & Forms

For most utility-related street and lighting work, the city requires permits or a franchise agreement. If a specific form or permit number is not published on the city code page, contact the permitting office or utilities department for the current application, fee schedule, and submission method.

  • Permit applications - name/number and fees are not specified on the cited page; obtain the current permit packet from development services or utilities.

Action steps

  • Request the controlling franchise ordinance text from the City Code online to confirm obligations.
  • Submit permit applications to development services before starting right-of-way work.
  • Schedule inspections through the utilities or development services portal and retain inspection records.
  • If cited, file an administrative appeal within the time frame specified in the ordinance or request clarification from the city clerk.

FAQ

Who enforces lighting and franchise rules in Longview?
The city departments responsible for utilities, public works, development services, or code compliance enforce franchise and lighting rules; see the City Code and contact the utilities office for complaints and inspections.
How do I report a faulty streetlight?
Report faulty streetlights to the City of Longview utilities or public works reporting process; the department will log the complaint and schedule inspection and repair per its procedures.
Where can I read the franchise ordinance that applies to my street?
Franchise ordinances and the Code of Ordinances are published online; request the specific ordinance section that governs the franchise for vendor obligations and fees[1].

How-To

  1. Identify the issue and gather location details and photos of the lighting or right-of-way condition.
  2. Check the City Code online for the relevant franchise or permitting section to determine if a permit or specific ordinance applies[1].
  3. Contact the City of Longview utilities or development services to file a complaint or request an inspection and provide the gathered details.
  4. Follow up with the department for inspection results, required remedial actions, and any invoice or fine information.

Key Takeaways

  • Franchise obligations are set by ordinance or contract and should be confirmed in the City Code.
  • Inspections and enforcement are handled by city departments; report issues to utilities or development services.
  • If a penalty or precise fee is needed, obtain the specific ordinance or contract clause from the city records.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Longview - Code of Ordinances
  2. [2] City of Longview - Utilities Department

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