Customer Reference Guide

The BC Hydro “Overhead Residential Services – Customer Reference Guide” outlines the requirements and procedures for establishing overhead electrical service connections to residential properties. Key points include:​

  1. Service Connection Declaration: Before scheduling a service connection, customers must complete an online Overhead Residential Declaration for each service address. This confirms that BC Hydro crews have safe and unobstructed access to the service mast and meter base. A MyHydro online account is required to submit this declaration.
  2. Service Height Requirements: The point of attachment for the service wire must not exceed 7.0 meters (23 feet) above grade or sidewalk. Specific clearance requirements above finished grade are:​

o   7.1 meters across highways, freeways, and expressways (written permission required)​

o   5.5 meters across streets, lanes, alleys, and pipeline rights-of-way​

o   5.5 meters across driveways to commercial and industrial premises​

o 4.5 meters across driveways to residential garages​

o   3.5 meters across ground normally accessible to pedestrians only​

 Written permission from BC Hydro is required if the proposed point of attachment exceeds 7.0 meters.

  1. Service Location: The service entrance (wire holder) must be in direct line of sight with BC Hydro’s service pole and located on the wall of the building facing the power supply, or no further than 1.0 meter (3 feet) back from that wall on either side. If a roof mast is necessary to meet clearance requirements, it must be within 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) from the edge of the roof and capable of supporting the weight of an installer on a ladder without damage.
  2. Service Length: The maximum allowable service length from a BC Hydro pole to the customer’s point of attachment is 30 meters (100 feet). If this length is exceeded and approved by BC Hydro, additional charges may apply, and an intermediate pole might be required.
  3. Tree Clearance: Trees must be cleared to a distance of 3.0 meters (10 feet) on each side of any secondary conductor to ensure safety and prevent service interruptions.
  4. Meter Installation: Meters must be installed between 1.5 meters (5 feet) and 1.8 meters (6 feet) above finished grade. They should be located in a direct line of sight with BC Hydro’s service pole, on the wall facing the power supply, or no further than 1.0 meter (3 feet) back from that wall. Meters cannot be installed inside carports, garages, breezeways, or areas that may potentially be enclosed, nor within 1.0 meter (3 feet) of a natural gas relief discharge device or vent, or 3.0 meters (10 feet) of a propane gas relief discharge device or vent.
  5. Access Requirements: Adequate horizontal clearance must be available at grade level between the foot of a ladder and its resting place on the building to meet BC Hydro and WorkSafe BC regulations. This clearance must allow the installation to be done safely using an extension ladder without encroaching on neighboring property, adhering to a ladder slope of 4:1.