Pipeline and right of way permits
If you’re working near a FortisBC high pressure pipeline, crossing the high pressure pipeline or planning activities within a FortisBC right of way, B.C. laws, regulations and land interests require you to get written permission from FortisBC first.
What is a right of way?
A right of way is a defined corridor that contains one or more high-pressure natural gas pipelines and passes through private property, Crown lands and Indigenous lands. High-pressure pipelines include transmission and intermediate pressure pipelines.
A statutory right of way agreement between the landowner and FortisBC is registered on the title of the property, which allows us to access the right of way and restrict uses or activities that could compromise our ability to access, maintain, inspect or operate the pipeline to the safety standards and regulations we’re required to follow.
If you have questions about a right of way or need a copy of the agreement for your property, check with your local Land Title Office or email us at [email protected].
Do you need permission?
Anytime you’re planning to break ground, you must click or call BC 1 Call in advance to request the location of underground gas and other utility lines on the property.
The Energy Resources Activities Act requires written permission from FortisBC for activities within 30 metres of a pipeline. Contact us if you are unsure about the pressure of the gas line.
- A permit is required if you’re working
- within 10 metres of a TP pipeline, or
- within a FortisBC right-of-way, including pipeline crossings, or
- within 30 metres of a TP pipeline and your work involves preloading, blasting, large excavations (with or without engineered shoring like sheet piles or anchors) or work in geohazard areas (e.g., slide zones, steep slopes, soft/unstable soils).
- A letter of authorization is required if you’re working
- outside 10 metres but within 30 metres of a TP pipeline, and none of the above high-risk activities apply.
- A permit is required if you’re working
- within two metres of an IP pipeline, or
- within a FortisBC right-of-way, including pipeline crossings, or
- within 30 metres of an IP pipeline and your work involves preloading, blasting, large excavations (with or without engineered shoring like sheet piles or anchors) or work in geohazard areas (e.g., slide zones, steep slopes, soft/unstable soils).
- A letter of authorization is required if you’re working
- outside two metres but within 30 metres of an IP pipeline, and none of the above high-risk activities apply.
Anticipated timing
The current wait time for issuing letters of authorization is approximately 10 business days.
The current wait time for reviewing and issuing permits is a minimum of four to six months. Permits requiring engineering involvement will take an additional four to eight weeks minimum. If pipeline upgrades are required, the estimated wait time is three years.
These timelines may change depending on the complexity of your project.
Activities in a right of way
Certain activities may be allowed within a FortisBC right of way. We restrict activities or objects that could potentially post safety risks or might interfere with the safe operation and access to the gas line.
- landscaping; increasing or decreasing ground elevation
- temporary or permanent road and driveway crossings and/or movement of vehicles and equipment across, on or along the right of way
- temporary or permanent logging roads and/or logging activities
- utilities (underground or overhead)
- ditches, drains, sanitary and storm sewers, irrigation lines, water lines and dikes
- test holes
- fences and posts (subject to individual review)
- vines or vineyards (subject to oversight and working with FortisBC to prevent damage to the gas line from ground disturbance)
- parking lots
- temporary parking of commercial or recreational vehicles
- railways
- sports fields or golf courses (subject to limits on regrading landscaping, irrigation lines, paving or structures such as goalposts and backstops)
- trails
- blasting in the vicinity of a gas line
- preloading adjacent to a right of way
- stockpiling material adjacent to a right of way
- buildings, structures or foundations including: gazebos; playhouses; garden/woodsheds; patios; decks, with or without foundations; fenced sports courts with poured concrete or asphalt; retaining walls (tiered or multi-level)
- overhanging roofs or balconies
- water features; above and below ground swimming pools; fishponds; hot tubs; reservoirs; dugouts; septic fields and storm sewer retention ponds; wells or pits
- poles for power lines and street lighting; guy wires for electrical poles; support posts
- advertising/signage of any kind (except for FortisBC’s gas line warning and identification signs)
- statues/monuments
- tents of any kind
- commercial garbage disposal containers
- trees of any kind
- open burning, fire or fire pits of any kind
- permanent material or equipment storage of any kind
- parallel roads or utilities within the ROW
- perforated drainage pipe installation (only French drains are allowed in the ROW)
- augering or other boreholes
Safety resources to download, print and share
- Safe digging around gas lines brochure
We’re here to help
If you have questions about what’s permitted in a right of way or how to apply for a permit, email us at [email protected].
