Design Reference & Process Documentation
Learn About Austin Energy's Processes and Reference Documents
Austin Energy Design Criteria
Austin Energy Design Criteria Manual (pdf) – This document provides the criteria, guidelines, definitions, and descriptions approved by the City of Austin for the design and installation of electric facilities that will be served by Austin Energy, as well as the safety and reliability requirements that must be adhered to when developing in proximity to existing or planned electric facilities maintained by Austin Energy.
We make every effort to be accurate in the online design criteria manual. In case of conflict, the official manual on file with the Austin City Clerk's office takes precedence.
Please note that some processes described in the Design Criteria Manual are not up-to-date.
Austin Energy Preliminary Distribution Design Tables (pdf) – these specifications take precedence over any information in the Design Criteria Manual, the AE Distribution Construction Standards (DCS), and AE Distribution Designer Guidelines (DDG).
City of Austin Design Criteria
The City of Austin Code Library is a comprehensive online repository. This contains City Code, criteria manuals for Building, Drainage, Environmental, Fire Protection, Transportation and Utilities, Standards, and Standard Specifications.
Other City of Austin Resources
- City of Austin Development Services Department
- City of Austin Technical Criteria Manuals
- City of Austin Utilities Criteria Manual
Process Documentation
General path diagram for design and construction of Austin Energy infrastructure (pdf) – refer to this process diagram that illustrates the basic steps for customers to get approvals and design, build, and energize building projects and renovations.
City of Austin Development Services Department website and Do I Need a Permit page – use these resources to understand what kinds of building permits you need before you can apply for electric service.
Drawings to Help Determine Buildable Areas Outside of Austin Energy Clearance Envelopes
Drawings to Help Determine Buildable Areas Outside of Austin Energy Clearance Envelopes (pdf)
- Each drawing represents a standard pole size from the top of the pole to the bottom.
- The clearance from the electric lines to ground are dependent on how deep the pole is buried, the line sag, and other variables.
- These drawings indicate a perfect scenario for planning purposes, but actual clearances at each site should be determined before actual implementation.
- Pole sizes may be shown on the pole tag, but may be worn off due to weathering. If you can't find the pole size, contact the Austin Energy team you are working with on your development project.
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Date last reviewed or modified: 02/26/2025