Public Utility Lots (PUL) are titled parcels of land that are owned by the City. They contain: City and private utility services (power, water, gas, drainage, telecommunications); public walkways; and/or access to service locations.
Typically, the public utility lots may be used for landscaping and gardening purposes only.
Purchasing Process
1. Property Inquiry
Print and mail to the City of Edmonton with $255 (cheque payable to City of Edmonton).
2. Status Review
Once the City receives your submission, the status of the public utility lot is reviewed.
The possible results are:
- Leased
- Split leased*
- Not leased/vacant
*If split leased, the public utility lot will only be sold if both parties are interested in purchasing their share of the public utility lot, OR if one of the neighbouring property owners is prepared to surrender their lease. Please check with your neighbour before inquiring about buying a public utility lot.
3. Internal Review
City departments and business partners determine if there is a civic need for the property, and if easements or utility rights-of-way need to be registered onto the City land title certificate before the public utility lot is sold.
Comments from all business areas are received and reviewed to determine if the public utility lot can be sold and what conditions must be included in the sales agreement.
The review can take up to 4-8 months, depending on the complexity of the property and the conditions that have resulted from engaging the stakeholders.
If the lot cannot be sold, you will be notified.
4 & 5. Letter of Offer
If the public utility lot can be sold, City appraisers assess the market value and a property agent prepares your letter of offer that includes the purchase price, payment options and the conditions of sale.
Typically the costs associated with purchasing a portion (half) of a utility lot, above and beyond the market value of the utility lot itself, are around $7,500.
Payment Options
There are 2 payment options to choose from:
A) Approximately 4-6 months sale process to completion. Once utility rights-of-way have been registered, the client receives the Transfer of Land subject to consolidation by title with the client's lot.
B) Five-Year Term Sale. Five equal payments with no interest (18% interest on late payment). No penalty if paid in full before the 5-year term is completed. Once paid in full, the client receives the Transfer of Land subject to consolidation by title with the client's lot. This option is only available if the public utility lot can be consolidated by title.
6-8. Agreement and Transfer of Land
A sales agreement is finalized and signed by both parties.
Transfer of Land
Once paid in full, the City will release the Transfer of Land to register at the Land Titles Office.
If the property has to be consolidated by plan or subdivided, the City will arrange for this to occur. All costs associated with land consolidation and subdivision will be borne by the buyer.
Cost estimates for the work typically required to consolidate or subdivide a public utility lot depending on the conditions of sale:
| Subdivision application fees | $0 to $700 |
|---|---|
| Land survey fees | $2,000 to $10,000 |
| Subdivision endorsement fees | $0 to $700 |
| Registration / consolidation of a descriptive plan | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Registration / consolidation by title | $50 to $100 |