25 CFR § 169.51 - Is a right-of-way required for service lines?
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t25/s169.51"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "25 CFR § 169.51 - Is a right-of-way required for service lines?"
title_number: 25
title_name: "Indians"
section_number: "169.51"
section_name: "Is a right-of-way required for service lines?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "H"
subchapter_name: "LAND AND WATER"
part_number: "169"
part_name: "RIGHTS-OF-WAY OVER INDIAN LAND"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 301; 25 U.S.C. 323-328; 25 U.S.C. 2201"
regulatory_source: "80 FR 72534, Nov. 19, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "169"
---
# 169.51 Is a right-of-way required for service lines?
Service lines generally branch off from facilities for which a right-of-way must be obtained. A service line is a utility line running from a main line, transmission line, or distribution line that is used only for supplying telephone, water, electricity, gas, internet service, or other utility service to a house, business, or other structure. In the case of a power line, a service line is limited to a voltage of 14.5 kv or less, or a voltage of 34.5 kv or less if serving irrigation pumps and commercial and industrial uses. To obtain access to Indian land for service lines, the right-of-way grantee must file a service line agreement meeting the requirements of this subpart with BIA.