Public/Private Attachments

Information on pole attachments

All companies requesting to attach using a public/private attachment agreement must have a signed agreement by PPL Electric Utilities before applying. For more information, please visit the new customers page.

All public/private attachments must follow the proper permitting procedure and are subject to payment of any make-ready costs to provide proper electrical clearances. Use our Contact Us form if you have any questions.


Categories

Cable

  • Restricted to the usable portion of the pole, generally defined as being greater than 18 feet above ground level.
  • Attachments will be allowed between the electric (top) cable and the telephone (bottom) attachment on the pole.
  • Will be charged an annual attachment fee.
  • Examples: copper/fiber communications cables and all related guying, traffic control cables, alarms, etc.
  • Must follow the Requirements for the Attachments of Communication Cable Facilities on PPL Electric Utilities Poles (Spec 6-01-140).

Non-cable

  • Restricted to the non-usable portion of the pole, generally defined as less than 18 feet above ground level.
  • Attachments will be allowed below the bottom utility (telephone) cable attachment.
  • May be charged a one-time application and inspection fee but no annual attachment fee.
  • Examples: vertical or cross street banners, decorative lighting, flag brackets, unlit holiday decorations, public signs, etc.
  • Must follow the Requirement for the Attachments of Foreign Banners and Non-Cable Attachments on PPL Electric Utilities Poles (Spec 6-01-170)

Service

  • Attachments must meet required National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and PPL clearance specifications. Please see specs for further information.
  • Examples: municipal street lighting, community seasonal decorative lighting, etc.

Authorized Attachments

Vertical Banners

Requirements include: 

  • Must meet PPL Electric Utilities and NESC specifications for ground clearance and clearance to facilities on the pole.
  • No larger than 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Larger banners require engineering analysis.
  • Must be breathable. Vinyl banners must be vented.
  • Cannot be used for advertising. Should have a welcome message or holiday theme.
  • Must be banded to our facilities on wood distribution poles only.

All applications may be subject to both an application and per pole evaluation fee. A proof of the banner to be attached must be included with the application in order for the attachments to be approved.

Submit Application

Cross-Street Banners

Cross-street banners are limited to community or charitable functions. The use of cross-street banners for advertising purposes is forbidden.

Banners must be installed and removed in a safe manner by the owner, and must not be attached longer than 30 days. Cross-street banners must:

  • Maintain 10 feet over areas accessible to pedestrians only.
  • Maintain 16 feet over driveway, alley or parking lots.
  • Maintain 18 feet over a street or highway.
  • Be tied or banded to PPL wood distribution poles only.
  • Not be attached to poles that are not accessible to mechanized equipment.
  • Not be attached to poles with the following:
    • Underground risers
    • Operating handles for air switches or disconnects
    • Control cables for pole-mounted reclosers or other hardware

All applications may be subject to both an application and per pole evaluation fee. A proof of the banner to be attached must be included with the application in order for the attachments to be approved.

Submit Application

Specifications and Forms for Non-Cable Attachments
Non-cable attachments include:

  • Decorative lighting
  • Flag brackets
  • Unlit holiday decorations
  • Municipal signs
  • Municipal Requested Mirrors

PPL Electric Utilities allows these attachments on a case-by-case basis. All applications may be subject to both an application and per pole evaluation fee.

Submit Application

Unauthorized Attachments

To protect the health and safety of both the public and our employees, PPL Electric Utilities does not allow the following types of attachments:

 X  Fences
 X  Gates
 X  Mailboxes
 X  Satellite dishes
 X  Planters
 X  Customer-owned electric facilities
 X  Commercial, non-profit, religious, or private materials, posters, signs or advertisements
 X  Materials, posters, signs or advertisements relating to political candidates, parties, events or issues
 X  Cameras

In the event that unauthorized public/private attachments are found on poles owned by PPL Electric Utilities, the attachment owner will be required to:
  • For attachment types that are approved by PPL Electric Utilities:
    • Submit an attachment application within 30 days.
    • Pay PPL the current annual attachment fee for the entire period of time that can be reasonably established as the duration of the attachment, but in no case less than two times the current annual attachment rate.
    • Pay PPL all make-ready costs associated with us providing proper electrical clearances to the attachments.
       
  • For attachment types that are not approved by PPL Electric Utilities:
    • If the facilities are located too close to PPL facilities, PPL Electric Utilities will notify the owner that facilities will be removed by PPL personnel within 90 days. The owner of the facilities will be responsible for all costs associated with removing the facilities.
    • If the facilities are located a safe distance below PPL facilities, PPL Electric Utilities will notify the owner that facilities must be removed within 90 days.