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A business or individual planning to offer cable or video franchise service shall obtain a franchise from a municipality or a certificate of franchise authority from the Iowa Utilities Board.  A franchise issued by the Utilities Board allows the recipient to provide cable or video services for a period of 10 years. A municipality may issue a franchise for a period of up to 25 years pursuant to the provisions of Iowa Code § 364.2.  Both franchises require the payment of a franchise fee of up to 5% to the local municipality and provide authorization to use the public right-of-ways in the designated service territory. A holder of a cable or video certificate of franchise authority shall provide public, educational and governmental channels

Code Citation Iowa Code Chapter 477A for a state franchise and Iowa Code § 364.2 for a municipal franchise.

Who Applies Anyone planning to provide cable or video service.

When To Apply Before services are provided (Iowa Utilities Board) or prior to expiration of an existing municipal franchise (municipality).

Initial Requirements For application requirements for a certificate of franchise authority issued by the Iowa Utilities Board, see Iowa Code § 477A.3 and Iowa Administrative Code 199—44.

Duration Certificates of franchise authority issued by the Iowa Utilities Board – 10 years. For a municipal franchise – varies.

Processing Time Certificates of franchise authority issued by the Iowa Utilities Board – 30 to 90 days. For a municipal franchise – varies.

Fee Structure No application fee for certificates of franchise authority issued by the Iowa Utilities Board, but applicants are subject to Iowa Utilities Board assessment for cost of issuing certificate pursuant to Iowa Code § 477A.3(3)(c). For a municipal franchise – varies.

Renewal Requirements Certificates of franchise authority issued by the Iowa Utilities Board – 10 years. For a municipal franchise – varies.

Exam Does not pertain.

Additional Information None.