Licence of occupation

A licence of occupation is a legal agreement authorizing the temporary occupation and use of Crown lands.

Overview

Licences of occupation are temporary and subject to conditions set by the minister, with a maximum term of 20 years. The licence of occupation does not give exclusive use of the land, meaning that multiple licences and shared use. Licences of occupation can be issued for access roads, utility poles and anchors, maple sugary corridors, commercial signs, community event or as an interim measure prior to the finalization of another agreement. Access roads may be required when a freehold owner needs to access their property.

Community event by a non-profit group where the event will be less than two weeks duration and be open to the public.

A licence of occupation is required:

  • for advertising, business, directional or educational highway signs on Crown lands
  • to install electrical and telephone poles and anchors on Crown lands
  • to temporarily occupy Crown lands while performing work on adjacent property
  • for temporary permission to occupy Crown lands for various reasons (constructing an access road, coastal erosion control structures, bull pens, etc.)

Licences of occupation are issued for varying terms depending on the actual time required. A licence of occupation and subsequent renewals cannot exceed twenty years in total.

Wind exploration licence of occupation

A Licence of Occupation for Wind Exploration is a legal agreement authorizing the temporary occupation and use of Crown lands to erect temporary test towers, take meteorological measurements, and/or conduct environment monitoring activities. For proposed wind farm developments, applicants generally must follow a two-stage process by first applying for wind exploration rights through a Licence of Occupation for Wind Exploration.

Forms

Resources

Fees

Fee descriptionRate ($)
Application fee - new licence of occupation750
Application for a new licence of occupation for pole and anchor750 + 80/pole
Application fee - community event75
Amendment fee200
Renewal fee200
Assignment fee200

All fees are non-refundable + HST.

Get help

For additional inquiries, you can contact us from Monday to Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

Crown lands Branch

Telephone: 1-888-312-5600
Email: [email protected]