Crossing and Utility Line Assignment (ULA) Program

Sturgeon County’s Crossing and Utility Line Assignment (ULA) program provides a one-window approach for industry to obtain approvals for utility crossings and temporary access over County lands, including: 

• Road allowances 
• Road rights-of-way 
• Reserve lands 
• Public utility lots 

The program ensures crossings are safe, efficient, and consistent with County standards, while balancing industry needs and protecting public infrastructure. 

Authorization of utility crossings or temporary access within public road right-of-way by external agencies and private utilities must first enter into an agreement with the County. The agreement can be one of the following:

• Road Crossing Agreement (gas, power etc.)
• Temporary Workspace Agreement (workspace and existing approach use)
• Telecommunications Agreement
• Utility Crossing and Proximity Agreement

A standard condition of all agreements is that all utility installations require County approval in the form of a Utility Line Assignment (ULA).

Application Procedure

To complete a Utility Line Assignment (ULA) application, please fill out the Utility Line Assignment Application and send it to utilityapprovals@sturgeoncounty.ca. You will receive an automated reply confirming receipt of your email along with an estimated timeframe for response. 

In 2026, the County will be implementing a new web-based application system to process applications. This webpage will be updated as more information becomes available.

For other related inquiries or questions, please contact us at utilityapprovals@sturgeoncounty.ca.

Application Fees

To ensure fairness and sustainability, application fees are set using a cost-recovery model. To continue supporting small businesses in the County, Minor Applications will be processed at no cost. 

• Minor Application – No cost
• Moderate Application – $220
• Major Application – $425

Note: Fees are waived for County-led capital projects. 

Why Do We Charge Fees?

Sturgeon County completed a comprehensive review of the Utility Approvals program to ensure the County can continue to provide efficient and timely service. This review and program enhancement initiative involved multiple phases of work to review current practices, processes and procedures; clarify roles and responsibilities between organizational areas; and provide a customer-centric understanding of future state processes.

Fees were determined using a cost recovery model which reflects the true cost of reviewing and processing applications based on recovery of causal costs. The distribution of costs by project length is based on the accepted methodology in the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Decision Number 2001-23.

Updates to the Crossing and Utility Line Assignment Program allow Sturgeon County to enhance its service delivery and operational efficiency. The new fee structure: 

• Reflects the true cost of reviewing and processing applications 
• Aligns with other municipalities and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) guidelines 
• Ensures the County can continue to provide effective service 

Application Types

Crossing and Utility Line Assignment applications are now assessed based on risk and complexity. Below are the three levels of applications Sturgeon County will consider.