There needs to be at least ten feet of clearance from the ground for the power line that comes into a house. Most new houses have the power coming in under ground. But, in older houses we find clearance issues periodically. Sometimes the electrical mast on the house will come loose and the line will droop. Other times a home owner will build a deck under the electrical line and then the distance for clearance is shortened. The power lines need to be clear of trees as well. In the picture above the tree actually grew around the line at one time! The power line is the home owners responsibility from the house to the electrical pole.