Where can I put up a shed?

For reasons of safety and grid maintenance, you can’t put up a shed or any other outbuilding underneath a power line nor within a HORIZONTAL distance of 1.6 m from low-voltage distribution lines.

But there are two exceptions for garden sheds. You’re allowed to put up a garden shed underneath a distribution line if you follow the instructions below.

To find out when you’re allowed, watch this video and learn to recognize dangerous lines before going ahead.

This video explains the different distribution lines you’ll see on utility poles—medium voltage, low voltage and telecommunications—and how dangerous they can be.

Video: Recognizing Dangerous Lines

Duration: 2 minutes 33 seconds

Safe installation of a garden shed or outbuilding underneath stacked low-voltage lines

You can put up a shed within a HORIZONTAL distance of 1.6 m from low-voltage distribution lines or even underneath them, if ALL THREE of these conditions are met:

Step 1 of 3

There’s a minimum VERTICAL distance of 3 m between the highest part of the roof and the closest low-voltage line.

Step 2 of 3

The shed’s footprint is less than 13 m2.

Step 3 of 3

The shed can be moved at any time at Hydro-Québec’s request.

Safety warning

  • When you need to estimate the distance to a line, EYEBALL it—don’t use a measuring instrument. If you estimate by eye that the distance is close to the minimum required, never try to measure it more accurately by placing anything at all near the line.
  • NEVER PLACE A TAPE MEASURE OR ANYTHING ELSE WITHIN 3 M OF A MEDIUM-VOLTAGE LINE.
  • If you don’t understand the requirements or are unsure about anything, call Hydro-Québec BEFORE starting work. We’re here to help.

Safe installation of a garden shed or outbuilding underneath twisted low-voltage lines

You can put up a shed within 1.6 m of twisted low-voltage distribution lines or even underneath them, if ALL FIVE of these conditions are met:

Step 1 of 5

The low-voltage lines are twisted.

Step 2 of 5

There’s a minimum VERTICAL distance of 1.5 m between the highest part of the roof and the twisted low-voltage lines.

Step 3 of 5

The roof is hard to reach. (For example, it’s a pitched roof that you need a portable ladder to get to.)

Step 4 of 5

The shed’s footprint is less than 13 m2.

Step 5 of 5

The shed can be moved at any time at Hydro-Québec’s request.

Safety warning

  • When you need to estimate the distance to a line, EYEBALL it—don’t use a measuring instrument. If you estimate by eye that the distance is close to the minimum required, never try to measure it more accurately by placing anything at all near the line.
  • NEVER PLACE A TAPE MEASURE OR ANYTHING ELSE WITHIN 3 M OF A MEDIUM-VOLTAGE LINE.
  • If you don’t understand the requirements or are unsure about anything, call Hydro-Québec BEFORE starting work. We’re here to help.

Other situations

If your planned shed does not meet all the conditions under one of the two situations described above, you’re not allowed to put it up under the line.

When you put up a shed, you have to allow the same approach distances that apply to all buildings:

  • There must be a minimum HORIZONTAL distance of 1.6 m between any part of a building and the closest low-voltage line.
  • or
  • There must be a minimum distance of 3 m between any part of a building and the closest medium-voltage line.