Montana Title 7. Local Government § 7-3-4452. Grant to operate public utility

(1) The commission shall, in any ordinance granting or renewing any grant to construct and operate a public utility, prescribe the manner in which the streets and public grounds shall be used and occupied.

(2) The commission may by ordinance grant to any individual, company, or corporation operating a public utility the right to extend the appliances and service of such utility outside of the territory as designated by the franchise, subject to petition and referendum as hereinbefore stated. All such extensions shall become part of the aggregate property of the utility and shall be subject to all the obligations and reserved rights in favor of the municipality applicable to the property of the utility by virtue of the ordinance providing for its construction and operation. The right to use and maintain any such extension shall expire with the original grant of the utility to which the extension was made or any renewal thereof.

(3) No consent of the owner of property abutting on any highway or public ground shall be required for the construction, extension, and maintenance or operation of any public utility by original grant or renewal unless such public utility is of such character that its construction or operation is an additional burden upon the rights of the property owners in such highways or public grounds.