so.. I go out to water the new grass I planted this morning and there is a red line marking what is perhaps utility? Running through my back yard.

I never requested it, nor was I given any notice of them coming onto my property so I would damn sure like to know who and why since whatever it is runs under my garage apparently. How do I find out?

huh.. interesting.. apparently RED means hydro

http://www.callb4udig.mb.ca/APWA.htm

so I will straight out call them I guess.

well.. that was a interesting. Apparently my neighbours requested it.... but.. does the utility have the legal right to come on to my side without asking?

Not in my opinion do they. At the very least they owe you a phone call to explain what they intend to do and to ensure it does not impact you in any way.

thats what I figure too. A phone call or a knock on the door.

Then again they probably did and my kids are just morons.

Why are you getting so worked up about this?

You're okay with someone about to dig up your back yard without even the common courtesy of a how do you do?

I bet that they got the wrong yard.

grumpy old man wrote:You're okay with someone about to dig up your back yard without even the common courtesy of a how do you do?

Who said anything about digging up a back yard? In many communities the utility ROWs are shared between houses and when one house calls to have theirs marked it will often require markings on both sides of the fence.

Contractors are required to work a certain distance from utilities, so if the ROW is partly in Dean's backyard it must be marked there too before any digging can be done on his neighbour's yard.

It must be wonderful to be so all-fricken-knowing eh sput?

Someone marks my backyard and I even suspect they might be digging I get concerned. Unless of course I KNOW for a fact that that would not happen.

I believe that yes they do have the right to come onto your property. They do so to read the meters all the time. I don't care if they come in my yard, not like they are letting themselves into your home.

Just because someone does something all the time does not mean they have the right to keep doing it.

I believe (sput - you tell me what is correct k?) there is implied permission to enter my property to read meters and deliver mail.

I don't believe there is permission to mark my property or dig in my yard without permission unless there is some kind of emergency.

If Hydro had to dig in my property to get at a leaking gas line that is one thing. Otherwise I fully expect to be consulted in advance.

grumpy old man wrote:Someone marks my backyard and I even suspect they might be digging I get concerned. Unless of course I KNOW for a fact that that would not happen.

A one minute conversation with your neighbour would probably be all that is necessary to clear up any fears you may have about the spray paint markings on your lawn.

My backyard is fenced and I have a lock on the gate. Hydro, MTS and Shaw (I have a green box in my yard) have to come to my door to gain access. I do not want anyone coming into my yard to do anything without me knowing.

grumpy old man wrote:I don't believe there is permission to mark my property or dig in my yard without permission unless there is some kind of emergency.

If Hydro had to dig in my property to get at a leaking gas line that is one thing. Otherwise I fully expect to be consulted in advance.

Partially correct.

The markings can be placed without permission on your lawn if you neighbour requests it for work being done on their property. They can even spray paint patios and other things if they fall over the utility ROW.

It is necessary because contractors need all markings for any potential utility a given distance from where they are working. Hydro for example requires markings within a 3 meter radius of ANY excavation project. In most residential scenarios this may require markings on an adjacent property.

That said. They won't dig (unless its an emergency) without giving you advanced notice.

Goth_chic wrote:My backyard is fenced and I have a lock on the gate. Hydro, MTS and Shaw (I have a green box in my yard) have to come to my door to gain access. I do not want anyone coming into my yard to do anything without me knowing.

They will climb your fence if you aren't home.

LOL..I'd love to see them do that. They would need a ladder to get over my gate.

If they did manage to climb my gate then they would have to deal with my dog....she isn't too fond of strangers coming onto her property, so if they have no fear of big dogs then go for it!!! LMAO Oh and I do have Beware of Dog signs as well.

sputnik wrote:

grumpy old man wrote:You're okay with someone about to dig up your back yard without even the common courtesy of a how do you do?

Who said anything about digging up a back yard? In many communities the utility ROWs are shared between houses and when one house calls to have theirs marked it will often require markings on both sides of the fence.

Contractors are required to work a certain distance from utilities, so if the ROW is partly in Dean's backyard it must be marked there too before any digging can be done on his neighbour's yard.

And my neighbours can just give people the right to go in my yard without asking??

Not people, Hydro.

sputnik wrote:

grumpy old man wrote:Someone marks my backyard and I even suspect they might be digging I get concerned. Unless of course I KNOW for a fact that that would not happen.

A one minute conversation with your neighbour would probably be all that is necessary to clear up any fears you may have about the spray paint markings on your lawn.

yup.. a one minute talk FROM my neighbour would have done that. or even a note in my mailbox if I was not home.

Hey budy.. we are doing XXXX the utility company might need to come in your yard.. you okay with that?

anyway.. the markings are being removed tonight so it matters very little.

Deank wrote:

sputnik wrote:

grumpy old man wrote:You're okay with someone about to dig up your back yard without even the common courtesy of a how do you do?

Who said anything about digging up a back yard? In many communities the utility ROWs are shared between houses and when one house calls to have theirs marked it will often require markings on both sides of the fence.

Contractors are required to work a certain distance from utilities, so if the ROW is partly in Dean's backyard it must be marked there too before any digging can be done on his neighbour's yard.

And my neighbours can just give people the right to go in my yard without asking??

You neighbours aren't giving them permission. You are.

By living in a house on a lot that contains a utility ROW you are essentially providing them access to the property when you take ownership of the house.

Hydro can ask if its okay with you. However you can't exactly say no because they have the right to mark anything on the ROW if requested by anyone.

Deank wrote:anyway.. the markings are being removed tonight so it matters very little.

So what was the reason for the markings?

Deank wrote:

sputnik wrote:

grumpy old man wrote:Someone marks my backyard and I even suspect they might be digging I get concerned. Unless of course I KNOW for a fact that that would not happen.

A one minute conversation with your neighbour would probably be all that is necessary to clear up any fears you may have about the spray paint markings on your lawn.

yup.. a one minute talk FROM my neighbour would have done that. or even a note in my mailbox if I was not home.

Hey budy.. we are doing XXXX the utility company might need to come in your yard.. you okay with that?

Chances are your neighbour had no idea that Hydro would have to put markings on your lawn.