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BC Hydro Underground Declaration Form

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BC Hydro Underground Residential Services Reference Guide & Declaration

This document summarizes BC Hydro requirements for underground services and meters. The installer/customer is responsible for supplying and installing conduit, meters, and related service equipment in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code and BC Hydro requirements.

Installation Requirements (ES 54 S1-01)

1. The duct shall be gray 12 mm rigid PVC.

2. The duct shall have a minimum of 900 mm of cover.

3. The duct is to be installed between a 12 mm sand base and 12 mm sand cover.

4. If the total number of bends installed between BC Hydro’s duct stub-off and the meter base exceeds a composite angle of 135 degrees, a pull box may be required.

5. The minimum radius of any conduit bend shall be 900 mm.

6. All underground service conduits must be drained at the building entrance as per the Canadian Electrical Code.

7. A 3 mm minimum (#8) polypropylene pull string shall be installed in the service conduit, tied securely at the meter based enclosure and to the string in the BC Hydro stub-off.

8. The duct trench shall be in a direct line of sight, as near as possible, from the meter base to the BC Hydro duct stub-off and shall be graded to the depth of that stub off point.

Service Location

The location of the service entrance shall be:

1. In a direct line of sight with BC Hydro’s service duct stub off, and

2. On the wall of the building facing the power supply; or

3. Not further than 1 metre (3 feet) back, from that wall, on either side;

If you cannot meet the requirements of the preferred service location, please contact BC Hydro service representatives during business hours.

Service Length

The total allowable cable length, from the project property line to the meter base, is 30 metres (100 feet). If the cable length exceeds 30 metres and is approved by BC Hydro, an extra length charge will apply.

Meter Location

For latest requirements, visit the BC Hydro website at www.bchydro.com. New and existing electrical connections, forms and guides, and under Revenue Metering Requirements, select requirements for Secondary Voltage Revenue Metering (750 V and less).

All residential socket type meters shall be installed within 1.0 m (1000 mm) and have unobstructed clearance in front of BC Hydro’s meter for clear and safe access at all times for BC Hydro representatives.

Meter Information – General

Only one service connection will be provided to a residential dwelling.

Typically, the number of meters installed for various types of dwellings are noted in the table on page 1.

BC Hydro’s tariff definition of a single family dwelling is a self contained unit including sleeping quarters, a kitchen, a bathroom or alternative living quarters acceptable to BC Hydro.

Type of Dwelling Number of Meters
House – one SFD 1
House with a suite – two SFDs 2
Duplex – two SFDs 2
Triplex – three SFDs 3
Four Plex-Four SFDs 4

Reserved in-service date will not be honoured unless all information is complete. Any deficiencies/discrepancies at the time of connection will result in a call back charge.

Underground Residential Services – Reference Guide & Declaration

Revised: March 2014

BC Hydro / Contact Information

Lower Mainland:

Vancouver Island:

BC Interior – Kamloops, Prince George, Vernon:

Underground Electrical Service Declaration

BC Hydro Reference No. Electrical Permit No.

Electrical Contractor Contractor Phone No. Cell:

Service Address

Lot No. City: Postal Code

Note: The owner must apply for service by calling 1-877-520-1355 before service at this location can be scheduled for energization.

Name of Owner: Owner’s Phone No:

SITE PLAN

Closest LPT #

Please indicate:

- North arrow

- Streets, lanes, lot number

- Building in relation to your property lines

- Location of closest BC Hydro LPT or service box

SERVICE CHARACTERISTICS

120/240 volts, amps Mainswitch (bus rating if multiple meter base)

Heat Source: ELEC (if ELEC, complete below) Gas Oil Other

List total load for each of the following as applicable:

1) ELEC Baseboard kW   2) ELEC Forced Air Furnace kW

3) ELEC Hot Water on Demand kW   4) Heat Pump kW

DESCRIBE SERVICE LOCATION

Total duct length (measured from BC Hydro duct stub off at street to the meter base): m

1) Service from closest LPT/Service Box is on the same side OR on the opposite side

2) Of the Street OR Lane

Service Requirements for Underground Residential Services:

The meter base location is in accordance with the Reference Guide

The installer has confirmed the designation point of the electrical connection to the BC Hydro system

The service address is affixed to the house or posted at the driveway

Approved duct is installed in accordance with the Reference Guide

Customer duct is coupled to the BC Hydro service duct stubbed off at street

The main switch is to be in the “OFF” position after request for energization has been made

The approved pull string is installed

1. This declaration does not constitute an authorization for connection. An Electrical Safety Act – Contractor Authorization Form must be received before an order for connection is released.

2. The installation shall comply with the Canadian Electrical Code and the amending bulletins issued by the Electrical Safety Branch of British Columbia.

3. Governing statutes for said installation are available at BC Hydro or Electrical Inspection Branch.

4. Any discrepancy between the above required specifications and the actual installation must be approved in advance by a BC Hydro Service Representative.

I AM THE INSTALLER AND HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE SERVICE DUCT INSTALLATION HAS BEEN INSTALLED TO COMPLY WITH BC HYDRO REQUIREMENTS.

Signature of Permit Holder

Print Name

Date

Please include service address, permit no., and reference no. (if available) in the subject line of the email.

Additional Declaration Information

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What the BC Hydro Underground Declaration Form Is and when it’s used

The BC Hydro Underground Declaration Form is a utility declaration used to document underground infrastructure, confirm locating requests, and record consent or acknowledgment by a property owner, contractor, or developer when work may affect BC Hydro assets. It typically captures site details, a description of planned excavation or installation activity, the parties involved, and confirmations about safe-work measures and responsibility for damages. The form is used to manage risk, enable accurate utility locating, and provide a clear record for project planning and post-work reconciliation with the utility authority.

Why a clear Underground Declaration matters for projects

A completed BC Hydro Underground Declaration Form reduces safety risks, speeds locate responses, and creates a traceable record of approvals and responsibilities. It clarifies who ordered the locate, where digging will occur, and which mitigations are required, helping to prevent service interruptions and costly repairs.

Why a clear Underground Declaration matters for projects

Primary users and stakeholders for this declaration

Typical users include property owners, general contractors, excavation crews, utility coordinators, and municipal permitting staff who need to confirm underground-asset status before soil disturbance.

  • Property owners and developers — confirm site boundaries, authorize access, and accept liability terms for excavation near utility infrastructure.
  • Contractors and subcontractors — provide excavation scope, contact info, and accept safe-work conditions before starting digging operations.
  • Utility coordinators and locators — use the form to prioritize locates, record marks placed, and document communications with the digging party.

Accurate role definition on the form ensures correct routing, timely locate responses, and that the responsible party can be contacted if issues arise.

Step-by-step: completing the declaration before excavation

Follow these steps to prepare, submit, and confirm the BC Hydro Underground Declaration Form so locates are completed before any ground disturbance.

  • 01
    Prepare site details: Gather address, map, GPS, scope, and contractor contacts.
  • 02
    Complete the form: Fill every mandatory field and sign as the responsible party.
  • 03
    Submit to BC Hydro / locator: Send the completed form to the designated utility contact or portal.
  • 04
    Confirm and record locate: Receive marking confirmation, document mark locations, and retain the completed form.

Configuring an online declaration workflow

When digitizing the form, set up fields and routing to match how BC Hydro receives declarations and how your team needs to approve them.

Field Configuration
Site Address Required text field with address validation
Start Date Date field, MM/DD/YYYY, required
Scope of Work Multi-line required text area
Signature Signer field with email verification

Digital delivery and eSubmission considerations

Confirm the utility’s accepted submission channels and any authentication or notarization they require before you digitize the form.

  • Accepted formats: PDF and DOCX are commonly accepted; verify the utility portal's supported formats
  • Authentication: Email verification or SMS code is generally sufficient for consent per ESIGN/UETA
  • Audit record: Keep a time-stamped audit trail showing signer identity and delivery metadata

Typical submission and confirmation flow

A reliable process reduces rework and ensures marks are in place when crews arrive on site.

  • Submit form: Sender uploads and submits the completed declaration to the utility or authorized locator.
  • Utility reviews: Utility validates site info and schedules a locate.
  • Locate performed: Marks are placed on site and confirmation is issued to the submitting party.
  • Record retention: Signed form and locate confirmation are archived for the project file.

Core elements to include in a professional declaration form

A complete declaration combines administrative detail, technical description, and legally protective language to support safe excavation and clear accountability.

Identification

Full names, company, and contact information for the party requesting the locate and the party performing the work.

Site data

Address, parcel or lot identification, GPS coordinates, and any map attachments to pinpoint the work area.

Work description

Detailed scope including depth, width, equipment, and schedule to help locators assess complexity.

Risk acknowledgements

Statements that the requester will follow required safe-work practices and local utility marking codes.

Signature and consent

A clearly labeled signature block with date and capacity (owner, authorized agent) to establish intent and consent.

Routing instructions

Fields that indicate where to send the completed locate confirmation and which parties should be copied.

Essential data points and security considerations

Personal Data: Names, contact details, and contractor identifiers
Site Coordinates: Precise location data for safe locating
Work Schedule: Start date and duration for mark validity
Authorization: Evidence of permission to perform work
Signed Consent: Signature with timestamp and attribution
Audit Trail: Retention of delivery and signing metadata

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the form

  • Vague site descriptions that make locating ambiguous and delay marks.
  • Missing or incorrect contact details that prevent timely clarifications.
  • Submitting without a clear start date, causing locate scheduling conflicts.
  • Using unsigned or improperly executed forms that the utility will reject.

Consequences of incorrect or incomplete declarations

Work Delays: Delays to projects and rescheduling costs
Damage Liability: Financial responsibility for utility repair and related claims
Penalties: Possible fines under local municipal bylaws
Permit Rejection: Applications or permits paused until corrected
Insurance Exposure: Increased claims risk if safety protocols are not documented
Contractual Breach: Potential breach-of-contract claims with downstream parties

Typical timing expectations and scheduling windows

Plan ahead: locates and confirmations follow scheduling lead times that vary by utility and season.

Locate Request Lead Time:

Submit 3–5 business days before planned digging where possible

Mark Validity Period:

Marks may be valid for 14–30 days depending on utility policy

Rescheduling Window:

Notify locator at least 24–48 hours before the start date to avoid rebooking fees

Emergency Response:

Same-day or immediate response for unplanned strikes or emergencies

Record Retention:

Retain signed declarations for the project life plus applicable statutory period

eSignature pricing and feature comparison for declaration workflows

Compare common eSignature vendors and core features that matter when digitizing utility declarations and retain clear audit records.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Trial available Trial available Trial available Trial available
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-world examples of form use in project workflows

Two practical scenarios illustrate how the declaration supports safe excavation and project coordination.

City Road Renewal

A municipal contractor submits the declaration to schedule locates before road milling

  • The utility marks assets within 48 hours
  • The signed form and markings were retained in the project file and used to resolve a later disputed damage claim.

Private Development

A developer includes the declaration with permit applications to speed inspections

  • Multiple contractors are copied on locate confirmations
  • Clear routing reduced rework and avoided a weekend delay.

Frequently asked questions about the BC Hydro Underground Declaration Form

Answers to common questions about completion, electronic signing, and recordkeeping for underground declarations.


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