The governing body may not grant a franchise to any public utility authorizing it to occupy any of the streets, alleys, or public places of the municipality without submitting the proposition of issuing such franchise to a vote of the voters thereof at a general or special election called for the purpose. However, no franchise election is required when granting a franchise to a natural gas utility which is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission.

Source: SL 1913, ch 119 , § 123; RC 1919, § 6248; SL 1921, ch 310 ; SDC 1939, § 45.1006; SL 1986, ch 79 .