The City of Fort Lauderdale is working alongside our Neighbors to underground overhead utilities, including those belonging to Florida Power and Light (FPL), AT&T, and Comcast. Updates on the current status of Undergrounding Applications received by the City can be found in the Undergrounding Overhead Utilities GIS Viewer, which provides an overview of all projects currently managed by City staff under City Ordinance Section 25-129.

Steps to Undergrounding Overhead Utilities

City staff administers utility undergrounding projects from implementation to completion. The City partners with the neighborhood association to garner community support. To learn more about the status of you undergrounding in your neighborhood, please contact your neighborhood association president or visit the Undergrounding Overhead Utilities GIS Viewer. 

City Ordinance Section 25-129 outlines the steps to underground overhead utilities in the City of Fort Lauderdale.  The process is summarized in the following steps: 

Status of Utility Undergrounding Projects

Under Construction

Construction is underway and substantial completion is expected in June 2024 within the following neighborhood:

• Las Olas Isles

Coming Up Next

The City is in the process of hiring a consultant that will prepare any necessary designs and work to advance upcoming projects through the bidding and construction phases. 

Applications Received

The City is reviewing applications from the following neighborhoods:

• Sunrise Key
• Harbour Inlet
• Riviera Isles

Expressed Interest

Residents of the following neighborhoods have expressed interest in utility undergrounding and are in contact with City staff to explore options and learn more:

• Victoria Park
• South Gordon Road
• Idlewyld
• Seven Isles

Ready to submit your Neighborhood Application?

Applications are only accepted if completed by the Association President. The Application requires the following documents to be attached before submittal:

• A certified Special Assessment Map of the proposed Utility Line Assessment Area (UULA), which MUST: 
  •  detail the north, south, east, and west boundaries;
  • name the platted subdivisions within the proposed UULA; and,
  • Notarized Homeowners Association Meeting Minutes Authorizing Application and named Representative
• Show each property proposed to be assessed. 

When all documentation described above is ready for electronic upload, please complete the Undergrounding Overhead Utilities Application. Applications must be complete for City approval. Only electronic applications are accepted. 

The Application portal is open.

You can track the status of your application through the Undergrounding Overhead Utilities GIS Viewer. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequent undergrounding overhead utility questions received by City staff:   

1. What is utility undergrounding?

Utility undergrounding includes burying existing overhead utilities belonging to major providers, including FPL, AT&T and Comcast. Upon completion, the area will be fully restored including new decorative street lighting and resurfaced roadways.

2. How will I benefit from undergrounding overhead lines?

Undergrounding projects are designed with “looping,” which means each home will have two paths of service, increasing the systems reliability if one transformer in the area is affected. New lines will also be placed in conduit that will offer increased environmental protections. According to FPL, undergrounding increases their system’s day-to-day reliability by 50% and by 85% during storms.

3. Will I have to provide an easement?

Generally, undergrounding projects are designed using existing public right-of-way for installation of any new permanent FPL transformer boxes or other utility apparatus. The City will conduct outreach to impacted homeowners for those areas requiring new easements. FPL and other utilities do not require new easements to complete the service connections.

4. How are FP&L transformer locations selected?

FPL design plans provide the required locations for FPL infrastructure.

5. What about stormwater resiliency and the impacts of King Tides?

The new lines will be buried and protected from the elements in continuous conduit. If the local elevation is below 3 feet NAVD (North American Vertical Datum), FPL transformer boxes will be elevated to protect against King Tide events.

6. Will FPL underground their lines for free?

FPL has a statewide program that pursues strategic undergrounding for their lines only (not for cable TV, telephone or other existing vendors), so overhead utility lines remain after their work is complete. FPL will only underground areas where all impacted parcels agree to an easement on private property for new lines and FPL transformer boxes.

7. If utility undergrounding is the project goal, why are other costs included (street lighting, roadway resurfacing)?

All costs included within the special assessment are “as-necessary” for project completion, including final restoration. Currently, local street lighting is on existing FPL poles which will be removed and replaced (one for one) as part of the project to maintain street lighting. While trenchless installation limits the amount of digging, it will require openings in the roadway to push and pull the main lines. Roadway resurfacing is required for final restoration of the impacted roadways.

8. Why am I being asked to vote on something that I did not ask for?

In 2010, the City established a process for neighborhoods to request utility undergrounding. Essentially, the City would coordinate with area utilities and develop a project. All associated costs will be paid by the benefitting neighborhood. In 2012, the City updated the Code to streamline the process. Your neighborhood formally requested the initiation of a utility undergrounding project and may have already paid for the design. Once 90% design plans are complete, a balloted vote is required to confirm neighborhood consensus on next steps.

9. What happens after balloting?

Per City Ordinance, if 70% of those responding to the ballot vote in favor of the project, then a public hearing will be scheduled with the City Commission to consider establishment of a special assessment boundary. The Commission would award the construction contracts, after which a project schedule will be provided.

10. How will I pay for this undergrounding project?

Benefitting homeowners are responsible for project-related costs, including financing, and will pay through a line item on their property tax bill for a period of 30 years.

11. How can my neighborhood begin an undergrounding project?

Your neighborhood association must complete the City’s application to begin the undergrounding process. The application is located on the City’s website.

12. How can I determine if my neighborhood is pursuing undergrounding?

The best way to determine if your neighborhood is pursuing undergrounding is to visit the City’s Undergrounding Overhead Utilities webpage. If your neighborhood is not listed, please contact your HOA representative to inquire if your neighborhood is considering undergrounding under the City’s ordinance.

13. I only want to underground my local street; will the City manage my project?

According to City Ordinance Section 25-129, the City only administers undergrounding in HOA-sponsored areas. The special assessment is applied to the entire neighborhood.

You may wish to contact FPL to determine FPL’s process for undergrounding non-HOA residential areas. Further coordination with other overhead utilities will be required. A project of this scope may require the services of a knowledgeable consultant who can guide you through the process or pursue the path FPL recommends.

Do you have an additional question? Please email us at: undergrounding@fortlauderdale.gov.