Page sections
Provincial Secondary Land Use Program Compatibility review Requirements Typical uses Land use planning Underground transmission cables

Compatible uses of Hydro One transmission Right-of-Ways (ROWs)

Safe and compatible uses within Hydro One's transmission corridors

Hydro One corridors — or Right-of-Ways (ROWs) — are essential in transmitting safe, reliable and affordable electricity within the Province of Ontario. They also provide Hydro One with 24/7 access to towers and lines to conduct routine and emergency maintenance activities.

Contact us Policies and documents

The property ownership of our ROWs is diverse and is comprised of the following:

  • Government and Crown Land
  • Hydro One
  • Indigenous communities
  • Private property owners
  • Public roadways and railway corridors

Balancing growth with compatible land use

Hydro One strives to work with proponents to review land use proposals on the ROWs so that they are compatible with the safety and maintenance requirements of our high-voltage equipment. Many ROWs have sufficient space to provide for the expansion of Hydro One's facilities to accommodate future growth and may allow for appropriate land uses.

It is important to emphasize that regardless of who owns the ROW, consultation with Hydro One is required when Hydro One assets (both underground and overhead) exist. This ensures the sound and proper use of the ROWs.

Provincial Secondary Land Use Program

Provincial ownership of ROWs

On December 31, 2002, the Reliable Energy and Consumer Protection Act (Bill 58) amended the Electricity Act. This resulted in the transfer of corridor lands owned by Hydro One for its transmission system (about 50,000 acres) to the Government of Ontario. The Electricity Act legislation recognizes the primacy of the corridor lands for transmission purposes. Hydro One retains the primary right to use the corridor lands for transmission and distribution purposes in the form of a statutory easement. These government-owned ROWs are managed jointly by Hydro One and Infrastructure Ontario under the Provincial Secondary Land Use Program (PSLUP).

Electricity towers in a field
Electricity towers in a field

Applications for the PSLUP: follow Hydro One's compatibility review process

The PSLUP, established by Hydro One and Infrastructure Ontario on behalf of the Government, allows for compatible secondary uses of the government-owned ROWs, while taking into account that the primacy of use of these lands is for electricity transmission and distribution. You can find more information about the PSLUP at Infrastructure Ontario's webpage.

Compatibility review process

Hydro One strives to work with proponents to review land use proposals on the ROWs so that they are compatible with the safety and maintenance requirements of our high-voltage equipment. Please review the Hydro One Compatibility Review Checklist prior to creating and submitting plans.

Mail icon

Submit proposal

Arrow icon
Review icon

Application review

Arrow icon
Checklist icon

Agreement

Arrow icon
Sign icon

Sign

Contact us to submit your proposal

If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please contact Hydro One's Real Estate department at Real.Estate@HydroOne.com and provide the location and details of the proposed use of the ROW. A Hydro One Real Estate representative will review your inquiry and contact you with further information.

Prepare and submit your proposal

Submit an application package, including:

  • A cover letter outlining the scope of work (SOW)

  • Detailed (engineering) drawings/plans showing the proposed area and use around Hydro One’s assets

  • Confirmation that municipal planning and consultation has occurred (if applicable)

  • A non-refundable Compatibility Review Fee

You must provide a Compatibility Review Fee with each proposal in order for Hydro One to complete the Compatibility Review. The cost may differ depending on the type of your proposal. For more information about the review process and fees involved, please email us.

Application review

The proposal will undergo Hydro One's review process to ensure compatibility with our transmission assets. As part of the review, Hydro One may require additional studies (e.g. grounding, induction or micro-shocks which will be at the expense of the proponent). These additional studies can extend the review and approval time of the proposal.

Obtain the necessary approvals

The proponent will be responsible for any municipal planning approvals, environmental studies, and appraisals as required and at its expense.

Agreement to the terms and fees

If your proposal is approved, you will need to agree to the terms and conditions of use, including payment of all applicable fees and charges.

Note: Hydro One can only guarantee compatibility approval for one (1) year, after which, the approval will become null and void and you may need to resubmit your proposal (including Compatibility Review Fees).

Sign the agreement

Hydro One will prepare an agreement that must be signed prior to any use of the lands.

Hydro towers

Requirements and considerations for ROW proposals

When preparing a proposal there are a number of technical considerations that must be kept in mind. Some examples of these are described below. Please note this is not an exhaustive list of requirements but serves only as a guideline. Each submission is reviewed individually by Hydro One and may take several weeks or months, depending on the complexity of your project. The proponent is responsible for all costs of modifying, relocating or monitoring Hydro One assets as a result of its proposal.

Horizontal clearance and access around Hydro One structures

  • An unhindered, minimum six (6)-meter-wide access path to facilities on the corridor must be provided for maintenance vehicles.
  • A three (3) meter radius around Hydro One structures must be left unpaved for access to tower footings if necessary.
  • Hydro One requires fifteen (15) meters of clearance on all sides around its transmission structures, as measured from the nearest structure member (base of pole, tower leg footing or structure anchor), in order to carry out maintenance operations.
  • This clearance must be maintained at all times, and storage and/or staging activities are not permitted within this area at any time.

Vertical clearance from Hydro One assets

Transmission conductors (wires) are dynamic in nature. They can sag lower to the ground depending on parameters such as ambient temperature and operating conditions. Minimum vertical clearances must be maintained from the maximum design sag levels of the conductors (worst-case scenario). Hydro One will review these clearances as they are case-specific and not immediately apparent by observation alone.

Vertical Clearance Graphic

Prohibited uses

  • Permanent structures (i.e. buildings) and temporary structures (i.e. tents) are not permitted on ROWs.
  • Flammable or hazardous materials are not permitted to be stored on ROWs.
  • Consideration must be given to minimizing the use of conductive (metallic) material where alternatives exist (e.g. fences).

Typical uses for Hydro One corridors

Hydro One corridors serve a variety of essential functions that support infrastructure and environmental management. Explore the common applications below to understand how these corridors are utilized for effective land use and community planning.

Two bikers resting and talking

Grading, drainage and storm water management

  • Grading changes must not impact vertical clearance requirements or result in standing water anywhere along the corridor.
  • No fill material may be placed on the ROW without written approval from Hydro One.
  • Catch basins that are not positioned within a paved roadway are not permitted.
  • Stormwater management (SWM) ponds placed under 115,000 and 230,000 volt transmission lines cannot exceed two-thirds of the corridor width.
  • SWM ponds under 500,000 volt transmission lines cannot exceed one-third of the corridor width.
  • SWM ponds must be designed to withstand the effects of 100-year storm conditions.

Roads and parking

  • Road crossings must be perpendicular to the ROW.
  • Curb cuts or access gates must be provided for Hydro One maintenance vehicles.
  • Parking facilities on ROWs must be restricted to passenger vehicles only. Large truck and trailer parking is generally not permitted.
  • Transmission structures near roads and parking areas must be protected by standard highway barriers.
  • Large construction vehicle and equipment parking under conductors may not be permitted.

Pipelines and underground facilities

  • All underground facilities must be designed to withstand the loading conditions created by heavy maintenance vehicles that may be used by Hydro One.
  • The ROW must be restored to pre-construction condition once the project is completed.
  • Excavation using heavy machinery is prohibited within ten (10) metres of structures.
  • Within ten (10) metres, excavation must be carried out by hand or by use of a VAC system.
  • Pipelines on ROWs must adhere to the provisions of CSA Standard C22.3 No. 6.

Landscape plantings

  • Plantings which grow to a maximum height over three (3) metres are not permitted on the ROW. These shrubs must be planted in such a way as to not impede access to the transmission towers.
  • An area of fifteen (15) metres around transmission structures must be kept clear of shrubs to permit Hydro One access to towers.
  • All plantings must be consistent with the Hydro One Compatible Landscape Species List and the overall plan is subject to Hydro One's approval.
  • Visit Vegetation Management for more details.

Land use planning

Hydro One receives and reviews planning circulations from municipalities across Ontario. We are required to review these planning circulations to ensure that proposed developments do not affect our transmission or distribution operations or property interests.

Ontario Subdivision

Hydro One responds to planning circulations to:

  • Protect our rights and core business
  • Acknowledge developers' proposals, and protect our interests where necessary
  • Ensure the safety of Hydro One personnel and the public

All municipal planning applications can be submitted to LandUsePlanning@HydroOne.com

Hydro One prioritizes reviewing and responding to the following circulations:

  • Draft plan of subdivision
  • Draft plan of condominium
  • Site plan (control, preliminary, minor)
  • Consent to sever
  • Communication/monopole/microwave tower proposals
  • Aggregate proposal (pit and quarry)
  • Niagara Escarpment Commission Application

Underground transmission cables

Hydro One requires any external parties planning to conduct construction, excavation, or daylighting activities near its high-voltage (115,000 volt and 230,000 volt) underground assets to submit a permit application. This application must be submitted via the relevant municipal review platform and receive approval before work starts. The permit is mandatory for any planned work within a radius of one (1) metre of Hydro One's buried cables.

Please refer to The General Requirements for Construction Work by External Parties in the vicinity of Hydro One's 115,000 and 230,000 volt Underground Plant.

Underground transmission cables

Documents and resources

Documents

General Terms and Conditions

Hydro One General Terms and Conditions for Compatible Land Uses.

Hydro One general conditions for Compatible Land Use

General Requirements for Construction Work in the vicinity of underground cables

A document outlining safety measures and requirements for installations and work in the vicinity of Hydro One’s underground cable assets.

General requirements for construction work by external parties

Hydro One Site Representation Request Form

Document for providing details regarding construction, excavation and daylighting activities in the vicinity of Hydro One's underground plant.

Representation Request Form

Compatibility Review Checklist

A checklist ensuring applications for proposed land uses within the Right-of-way contain all the required information.

Hydro One compatibility review checklist

Relocation Process Flow Charts

Visual guides detailing the steps for relocating infrastructure affected by third-party proposed installations.

Hydro One asset modification process workflow

Compatible Species List

A list of Hydro One-compatible plant species that may safely be planted within Right-of-Way (ROW). Any landscape plan within ROW needs to be submitted for review as topography changes by location and line height will impact the compatibility of vegetation to be planted within the ROW.

Landscape species list native shrubs Landscape species list native perennials and grasses

Microshocks Information Sheet

This sheet outlines low-level electrical shocks that can occur due to induced voltages near power lines.

Microshocks information sheet

Contact us

General inquires

If you are interested in submitting a proposal to use Hydro One ROW or have general inquiries about Hydro One property, contact us at

Real.Estate@HydroOne.com

Underground Transmission cables

For projects affecting underground Transmission cables, contact us at

TPUCCDrawings@HydroOne.com

Municipal planning

For any questions or inquiries related to Land Use Planning circulations, email us at

LandUsePlanning@HydroOne.com