The requirement to maintain a 3-foot vertical clearance from the edge of a roof does not apply when the service drop is attached to which location?

The requirement to maintain a 3-foot vertical clearance from the edge of a roof does not apply when the service drop is attached to the side of a building. This is because when a service drop is connected to the side of a building, it typically complies with the clearances established by the National Electrical Code, which recognizes the building's structure as a support for the service drop. The main concern with vertical clearance from a roof's edge is to prevent safety hazards associated with a service drop that could be impacted or subject to damage from falling debris or water runoff, which is less of a concern when the drop is securely attached to the side of the building.

In contrast, other locations like the ground, a tree, or a pole often have different clearance requirements because they do not provide the same structural integrity or controlled environment as a building’s side. Therefore, the clearances are set more rigidly to account for potential hazards that may arise in those contexts.