More topics

Highway use permit - Access

Last updated on April 16, 2025

Local governments, developers and property owners must apply for a highway use permit to create or change access off a provincial highway. Access must not interfere with the safety and the efficiency of the highway.

Apply

Use the checklist to prepare your highway use permit application package. Complete and submit the checklist with your application:

Applications are processed more quickly if they are complete and accurate. 

Highway use permits are processed and tracked through eDAS, the online application and approval system. 

Highway use permits are processed and tracked through eDAS, the online application and approval system. 

Use eDAS to apply for a highway use permit.

Apply Online

You can also submit a paper application:

​​Types of highway access

The B.C. government considers highway safety, travel efficiency and the protection of transportation infrastructure when approving access.​

Controlled access highways

The requirements for permitting access along a controlled access highway are more stringent. Permit approval may involve local governments, utility companies and other authorizing ministries.

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Commercial

Local governments, developers and property owners must apply for a highway use permit to create or change commercial access off a provincial highway. Access must not interfere with the safety and the efficiency of the highway.

The following is considered when determining commercial access locations:

  • The potential traffic impact of the proposed development
  • The adjacent roadway classification
  • Adjacent roadway traffic volumes
  • Other site-specific conditions

Contact district staff early in the application process to arrange a terms of reference meeting where we’ll outline the level of detail required for the design and review process.

​Planning and designing access to developments

Municipalities, developers and consulting professionals must develop detailed plans that address traffic at access points when applying for a highway use permit for access. This may include:

  • A traffic impact study
  • A construction plan
  • Determining traffic control methods, such as speed limit changes and turning lanes
  • Installation of traffic control devices
  • Traffic control in work zones and a plan to reduce potential hazards
  • Traffic and parking considerations

Planning & Designing Access to Developments Manual (PDF, 24MB)

 

Residential and agricultural

Residential and agricultural property owners must apply for a highway use permit to create or change driveway access off a provincially owned controlled access or numbered highway.

Property owners do not need a permit to create or change residential driveway access for a single family dwelling if the property is:

  • Located off a provincially maintained side road outside the municipal boundary, and 
  • The access is not off a controlled access highway or numbered route

If large agricultural vehicles or equipment are accessing fields and barns from a provincially maintained road, property owners must apply for a highway use permit for access.

A transportation design report may be required for multi-family residential access.

 

Resource and industrial

Natural resource and industrial companies, or their approved professional representatives, must apply for a highway use permit to create or change access to a natural resource or industrial road off a provincial highway.

All associated costs for constructing and maintaining these roads and accesses, including the installation of related works, are the responsibility of the permit holder.

 

Guidance and resources

 

Collection of personal information

Personal information is collected by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure under section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for the purpose of processing applications submitted through the electronic Development Approvals System (eDAS). If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of this information, please contact:

Manager, Development Services
Suite 4D - 940 Blanshard Street​
778 974-2634

​

Contact information

Contact the district office if you have questions about highway use permits for access.