Hydro-Québec does not carry out title searches and does not confirm whether there is a servitude on a property or whether the certificate of location is accurate. To obtain a copy of a document kept by the registrars for publication purposes, we refer you to the online land register : https://www.registrefoncier.gouv.qc.ca/Sirf/. You can also consult a notary or a land surveyor.
Distribution lines
Hydro-Québec has a servitude on my land but there is no equipment. Can the servitude be revoked?
A servitude, or easement, may be revoked subject to authorization from Hydro-Québec.
When you apply to have a servitude revoked, you must pay Hydro-Québec’s administrative fees, notary fees and standard fees for this type of transaction.
The certificate of location indicates that a garage or roof overhang was built over a Hydro-Québec servitude. Can I obtain a waiver of compliance?
You must submit a request and include the certificate of location. Administrative fees apply.
A Hydro-Québec inspector will visit and validate that the clearance complies with safety standards.
If the structure complies with safety standards, a waiver of compliance may be granted.
What are the steps in the process to reduce the area of a Hydro-Québec servitude or have it abandoned?
- The applicant duly fills out, signs and submits a request form, including the certificate of location, to Hydro-Québec.
- The applicant pays the administrative fees.
- Hydro-Québec inspects the site.
- Hydro-Québec analyzes the request.
- If the request is accepted, the transaction fee is determined based on the market value or, for the revocation of a servitude in a residential area made up of individual homes, the applicant will be charged a flat fee of $750 (plus taxes).
- Hydro-Québec sends the applicant’s notary a proposal to revoke or reduce the area of the servitude.
- The applicant signs the proposal.
- Hydro-Québec sends instructions to the applicant’s notary, the parties sign the proposal and the transaction is reported.
On average, the process takes three months from the time the application is submitted to the time the notary receives Hydro-Québec’s proposal. The applicant must pay the notary and survey fees.
I work for a utility that requires Hydro-Québec’s signature to constitute a servitude by notarial act.
You must submit an application and include an abstract of the notarial act and a site plan for the servitude.
Make a request regarding work, development or a servitude near Hydro-Québec distribution linesSubstations and transmission lines
Can I build a shed, gazebo or pergola in a transmission line servitude, or easement?
In certain cases, the transmission line right-of-way may be wide enough to build a shed. However, you must obtain an authorization from Hydro-Québec before installing it. You must submit a project plan along with the request.
Administrative fees apply.
Hydro-Québec will analyze the request to ensure that the clearances meet safety standards. If the planned project complies with safety standards, Hydro-Québec may grant the authorization.
Can I park my car in the servitude?
Yes, for daily parking; however, you may not modify the ground elevation or make any other modification.
The right-of-way adjacent to my property is owned by Hydro-Québec. Can I use it?
Authorization is required to use of a right-of-way owned by Hydro-Québec. Administrative fees apply.
If your request is granted, you must sign a lease and pay market value rent.
I purchased land from a landowner who had signed a lease that authorized them to use an adjacent right-of-way. Do I have to sign a new lease with Hydro-Québec?
Yes, since the lease is not transferable.
You must submit a request to Hydro-Québec.
There is an encroachment on my certificate of location. Can I obtain a waiver of compliance?
Any structure built in a transmission line servitude contravenes the rights of servitude.
You must submit a request and include the certificate of location. Administrative fees apply.
Hydro-Québec will analyze the request to determine whether the encroachment could compromise public safety or the electrical facilities. If there is no safety risk, Hydro-Québec may grant the authorization.
If there is a risk, you must remedy the situation.
Is it possible to have a servitude revoked or to reduce its area?
The width of a right-of-way depends on the voltage and generally corresponds to the minimum distances required to ensure operational security of the equipment and public safety. Certain servitudes are oversized to accommodate additional lines in the future.
For a servitude to be revoked or made smaller, you must submit a request to Hydro-Québec.
Administrative fees apply. If your request is authorized, you must also pay the notary and land survey fees as well as the standard fees for this type of transaction, at market value.
Can I obtain an authorization for the temporary use of a Hydro-Québec right-of-way to access my backyard — for example, to transport a pool?
You must submit a request and sign an agreement with Hydro-Québec. Administrative fees apply.
Can I ask for a transmission line to be moved?
You must submit a drawing of the desired line route, including the tower locations.
There are costs associated with carrying out a preliminary analysis to estimate the cost of moving the line.
You must then sign a business proposal and commit to paying the project costs.
You must also pay the fees for cancellation and acquisition of servitudes.
I think Hydro-Québec had trees cut down outside the servitude. Could this be so?
It’s possible, since the servitude rights allow Hydro-Québec to cut down any trees that risk interfering with power line operations or maintenance, even if they are outside the servitude.
It should be noted that some line rights-of-way are not cleared across their entire width. The trees that were cut may therefore have been growing on the site of the servitude.
To find out where the right-of-way ends, check the property’s certificate of location or consult your notary or a land surveyor.
I am a landowner. Can I keep the trees that were cut down?
Trees that are cut down belong to the landowner and are left on the ground.
I want to rent Hydro-Québec land and use it as a parking lot.
Start by checking with Hydro-Québec to see if the land is available. If it is, you must then submit your project for analysis. Administrative fees apply.
If your request is granted, you must sign a lease and pay market value rent.
I want to rent Hydro-Québec land and use it as a snow dump.
Snow dumps are prohibited on Hydro-Québec property.
I want to find out if there is a servitude on my property.
Hydro-Québec does not carry out title searches for customers. Check the property’s certificate of location or consult your notary or a land surveyor.
I work for a utility that is seeking a servitude to install its equipment.
You must submit a request to Hydro-Québec and include a plan of the equipment. Administrative fees apply.
After examining your request, Hydro-Québec may grant you a permission rather than a servitude.
Hydroelectric facilities
Can I build a sewage disposal field on land owned by Hydro-Québec?
Sewage disposal fields are prohibited on Hydro-Québec property. However, the company can sell you the land if it is available. You must submit a request to purchase the land and include the lot number.
Land is sold at market value. Whether you’re an individual or a business, you must pay the administrative fees associated with a land purchase. Any notary and surveying fees are also your responsibility.
Can I hunt and trap on Hydro-Québec land?
Hunting and trapping are prohibited on Hydro-Québec land.
Hydro-Québec property
Do you have land for sale?
See the list of Hydro-Québec properties for sale or lease. (in French only)Note: Hydro-Québec does not perform searches in order to offer properties that meet the criteria of potential buyers.
I want to purchase land owned by Hydro-Québec. How do I proceed?
You must submit a request with information on the land you wish to acquire, including the lot number.
Land is sold at market value. Whether you’re an individual or a business, you must pay the administrative fees associated with a land purchase. You are also responsible for any notary and surveying fees.
I want to rent Hydro-Québec land and use it as a parking lot.
Start by checking with Hydro-Québec to see if the land is available. If it is, you must then submit your project for analysis. Administrative fees apply.
If your request is granted, you must sign a lease and pay market value rent.
I want to rent Hydro-Québec land and use it as a snow dump.
Snow dumps are prohibited on Hydro-Québec property.
Can I hunt and trap on Hydro-Québec land?
Hunting and trapping are prohibited on Hydro-Québec land.
Can I cut down trees on Hydro-Québec land?
Cutting down trees is prohibited on Hydro-Québec land.
Can I build a sewage disposal field on land owned by Hydro-Québec?
Sewage disposal fields are prohibited on Hydro-Québec property. However, the company can sell you the land if it is available. You must submit a request to purchase the land and include the lot number.
Land is sold at market value. Whether you’re an individual or a business, you must pay the administrative fees associated with a land purchase. Any notary and surveying fees are also your responsibility.
I want to use Hydro-Québec land as a temporary parking lot during an event (a festival, for example).
You must submit a request that includes a plan indicating the area to be used as a parking lot. Whether you’re an individual or a company, administrative fees apply.
If your request is granted, you must sign a lease and pay market value rent.