Utility Work Within the Municipal Right-of-Way
The Town manages and approves utility infrastructure installed above and below ground throughout the community.
Utility companies, including water, sanitary, hydro, gas, and telecommunications must have Town approval before they install, repair or replace infrastructure in the municipal right-of-way.
The utility company is responsible for the work, its contractors and restoring the area afterward.
When your permission is needed
Authorized utility work within the municipal right-of-way does not require property owner permission. Work on private property requires property owner permission unless the utility company has rights under a registered easement or another legal right of access.
Access and permission requirements vary by location type
Municipal right-of-way
Homeowner permission is not required for authorized work contained within the municipal right-of-way.
The utility company must obtain all required town approvals before the work begins.
Registered utility easement
Work and access must comply with the registered easement. Separate owner permission is not required where those rights are already granted.
Access outside the easement requires owner permission unless another legal right of access applies.
Private property outside an easement
Owner permission is required unless the utility company has another legal right to enter.
Town approval for work in the municipal right-of-way does not itself authorize entry onto private property.
The municipal right-of-way provides a shared corridor for services such as hydro, natural gas, water, sewers, telecommunications and streetlights.
Using this shared corridor allows utilities to serve homes and businesses and access their equipment for maintenance and repairs, while reducing the need for work on private property.
Before approving utility work, the Town reviews it for conflicts with existing infrastructure, drainage, street trees, traffic and pedestrian safety, accessibility, planned Town work and restoration requirements.
Requirements depend on the location and type of work. The contractor must keep its permit on site while work is underway.
Before digging, utility locators use coloured paint and flags to identify the approximate location of underground services. These markings help construction crews work safely and avoid damaging infrastructure.
- Red: Electrical (Hydro) cables and power lines
- Yellow: Natural gas and service connections
- Orange: Telecommunications, including telephone, cable and fibre
- Blue: Watermains and service connections
- Green: Sanitary Sewers and storm drains
- White: Proposed excavation limits
Please leave paint markings and flags in place while work is underway. Do not move flags or wash away markings, as crews rely on their location to avoid underground services. Missing or disturbed markings may require another locate and delay construction.
Locate markings do not identify property boundaries.
Utility work may include surveying, locate markings, hydrovac trucks that use water and suction to expose buried lines, directional drilling, trench digging, temporary fencing and temporary asphalt patches.
Not every project includes every activity. Work may happen in stages with different crews, and schedules can change because of weather, site conditions or other work in the area.
Contractors are expected to maintain safe pedestrian and emergency access, minimize driveway interruptions and secure excavations and equipment.
In the event your driveway apron needs to be temporarily closed or altered during the work, advance notice will be provided, except for unplanned emergency work where notice cannot reasonably be given.
Residents with specific accessibility or mobility needs should contact the utility company or contractor as early as possible so arrangements can be coordinated.
Trees in the municipal right-of-way are protected under the Town’s Tree Protection By-law. Utility work near a Town tree may be reviewed by Forestry, and protection measures such as fencing, hand digging or trenchless methods may be required.
Do not move tree-protection fencing or store materials inside a protected tree area.
Report damage to a street tree to ServiceOakville.
The utility company or its contractor is responsible for restoring areas disturbed by its work in the municipal right-of-way. You are not expected to do this restoration yourself. A temporary repair may be used until permanent restoration can be completed.
Town staff may inspect the restoration and require the utility company to correct deficiencies.
Questions about utility work in the municipal right-of-way?
- Contact the utility provider or contractor responsible for the work for general inquiries about the project scope or schedule.
- Contact ServiceOakville if you are unsure who is performing the work or are unable to contact the utility provider directly.
- For emergencies, take immediate action. If you suspect a gas leak, encounter a damaged utility line, or identify an immediate safety hazard, call 911 or the utility provider’s emergency line, as appropriate.
Contact ServiceOakville
905-845-6601