Highway use permit - Works
Last updated on April 16, 2025Contractors, developers, landowners, local governments and utility companies must apply for a highway works permit to construct, relocate, replace, repair and maintain works on provincial highways, right-of-ways or on highway bridges or structures.
Apply
Use the checklist to prepare your highway use permit application package. Complete and submit the checklist with your application:
- Works Checklist (H1469) (PDF)
- Structural Setback Checklist (H0020-CL-STR) (PDF)
- Underground Communication Lines Checklist (H0020-CL-UGCOM) (PDF)
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.
You can also submit a paper application:
Types of works
Highway use permits authorize works within the highway right-of-way. For works not listed, please contact us.
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.
Fencing, gates and cattleguards help keep livestock and wildlife off of highways and prevent accidents. Property owners must apply for a highway use permit to install these types of barriers on or along a provincial highway.
Fencing
Fence maintenance is the responsibility of the property owner. Usually fences are placed on the property line unless special circumstances require that the fence be placed within the highway right-of-way. Fencing along provincially owned highways must not interfere with sight lines for motorists.
Gates
Gates are generally not permitted to be placed across provincially owned highways except for range management purposes on rural roads. Gates must be installed so that there is at least nine meters between the edge of pavement and the arc of the gate, if the gate opens outwards. Locked gates are not permitted.
Property owners must pay the cost of gate construction and maintenance.
Cattle guards
Cattle guards allow vehicles and the travelling public to cross a road while restricting the passage of range cattle. Typically, a guard consists of a series of bars or pipes installed flush with the road surface and placed onto a supporting framework.
Property owners must pay for all the costs associated with the supply and installation of the cattleguard, which is to be in accordance with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure specifications. Once the installation is approved the cattleguard becomes a provincial asset.
Highway fencing program
Livestock farmers and ranchers can also apply for funding for fence maintenance and improvements on provincially owned highways.
Oil and gas companies and qualified professionals must apply for a highway use permit to conduct exploratory surveys on or along the provincial highway right of way.
Seismic survey
Oil and gas companies installing works to conduct seismic surveys in the highway right-of-way or on un-constructed road allowances must apply for a highway works permit.
Oil and gas companies must ensure no damage is done to the road base or travelling surface. Any disturbances to the shoulder, ditches or back slopes through seismic survey works must be restored to the original condition or better.
Monitoring well
Qualified professionals installing monitoring wells for site investigation in the highway right-of-way or on un-constructed road allowances must apply for a highway use permit.
Local governments and organizations must apply for a highway use permit to install sidewalks or landscaping on or along new or replacement provincial highways. Maintenance must be provided by a local government or an organization registered as a society that can ensure long-term and ongoing maintenance.
Maintenance must be provided by a local taxable authority or an organization that can ensure long-term and ongoing maintenance.
Any landscaping or other improvements must leave clear lines of sight and must not interfere with highway maintenance.
Local governments and business owners must apply for a highway use permit to get a service and attraction sign ordered and installed by the B.C. government. Private signs along highways are not permitted.
Local services and attractions signs point out conveniences to the travelling public. Theses signs are not intended to promote any one service, attraction or facility over another. Common services and attractions are:
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- Motels
- Campgrounds
- Airports
- Tourist attractions
- Artisan businesses
To be eligible for signing, signs must meet specified minimum standards and must be located within specified maximum distances from provincial highway turnoffs.
Billboards
Billboards can be a distraction to travellers. The B.C. government will not approve of billboards near the highway right-of-way. Billboards must be placed a minimum of 300 metres away from a provincially owned highway in rural areas.
Structural setbacks protect road and highway safety and efficiency by keeping buildings, structures and walls at a minimum distance from the provincial highway right-of-way.
Property owners with structures located within 4.5 metres from the property line fronting a highway right-of-way must apply for a permit to reduce the setback. If a structure is on the highway right-of-way, the property owner must apply for a permit to allow the encroachment.
The B.C. government does not issue permits to allow the encroachment of new buildings, additions or major alterations on the highway right-of-way.
Utility companies must apply for a highway use permit to construct, install, relocate, replace, repair and maintain utilities on provincial highway rights-of-way or on highway bridges and structures.
The highway works permit allows utility companies to trench, bore, and jack, and to install or construct:
- Pipelines
- Water and sewer lines
- Overhead or underground power and communication lines
- Wireless communications
- Installations on or near structures
The highway works permit allows utility companies to install, operate, and maintain:
- Pipelines
- Water and sewer lines
- Overhead or underground power and communication lines
- Wireless communications
Highway use permits for utilities are issued under four authorizations:
- Major utility project permit
- Site permit
- Blanket permit
- Master use agreement (wireless communications)
- Highway Permits & Approvals Manual (PDF, 1.6MB)
- Utility Permit Manual (PDF, 4.4MB)
- Works Checklist (H1469) (PDF)
- Underground Communication Lines Checklist (H0020-CL-UGCOM) (PDF)
- Structural Setback Checklist (H0020-CL-STR) (PDF)
- Lane Closure Request Form
- Standard Specifications for Highway Construction
- Service & Attraction Sign Catalogue (PDF)
- T-04/22 - Policy for Digital and Projected Advertising Displays (Electronic Billboards)
- Permission to Act as an Agent (H0020-AGENT)
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 works.