Utility franchise fees are charges municipalities levy on utilities for the right to use municipal rights-of-way and property for infrastructure like power lines, gas pipes, and telecommunications cables. Franchise agreements authorize utilities to occupy municipal land and typically include fee arrangements. These fees provide municipal revenue from utilities benefiting from public infrastructure. Franchise fee structures vary—some are flat annual amounts, others are based on revenues or consumption within municipal boundaries. Franchise fee increases may be passed through to utility customers, raising consumer cost concerns. Negotiations over franchise renewals address fees, infrastructure maintenance, service standards, and term lengths. Franchise fees represent one way municipalities capture value from private utility use of public assets.