Are you a large developer or a homeowner who needs assistance with a PG&E land-related issue?
Our land department team can help with:
- Services related to PG&E easements or to PG&E-owned lands
- Inquiries about working near PG&E facilities
To view a full list of services or to request information, select from the topics below.
- Easement and property requests
- PG&E lakes, reservoirs and watershed lands
- Buy PG&E land
Sometimes, PG&E licenses the use of PG&E property for use. This licensed use is temporary and may be:
- Agricultural
- Grazing
- Invasive and non-invasive investigations
- Parking
- Right of entry
- Telecommunications
- Recreational or other uses
The use must meet certain criteria, including:
- Non-interference with PG&E’s utility operations and facilities
- Non-endangerment to persons, property and the environment
We may also consider other factors, such as uses providing benefits to:
- PG&E
- Our customers, or
- The local community
Time and cost
In some circumstances, PG&E is required to obtain approval from the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) before allowing the use. In those instances, the processing time and cost may increase.
All proposed uses require a non-refundable administrative fee in addition to any rent PG&E may require for the proposed use.
Land Request Form
To submit a request to use PG&E-owned property, fill out the electronic form below.
As one of the largest private landowners in California, PG&E is responsible for maintaining a vast and diverse portfolio of property.
Like any good neighbor, we strive to keep our property in good condition and comply with local codes where applicable.
Report an issue on PG&E property
Let PG&E know if you discover any of the following on PG&E property:
- Possible trespassing
- A homeless encampment
- Trash dumping
- Excess vegetation growth
Report any potential issue with the Land Request Form:
PG&E owns and operates many facilities within private easements.
- Many of these easements are recorded at the County Recorder.
- It is recommended that property owners or requestors seeking copies of PG&E’s easements retrieve them at the County Recorder.
- Recorded easements typically appear on title reports. It is recommended to work with your title company to retrieve copies of the recorded easements.
- PG&E may have unrecorded easements or other land rights not of public record encumbering a property.
Are you a property owner or the agent of a property owner and wish to inquire as to rights associated with certain facilities? Fill out the Land Request Form below.
- For any requests to research or pull recorded easements, PG&E may require a non-refundable administrative fee to provide such service.
Download the Land Request Form (PDF)
PG&E acquires easements on property owned by others to allow PG&E to install, operate and maintain its utility facilities.
These easements may restrict certain uses (e.g., structures, buildings, wells, vegetation, etc.) within the easement area.
If you have a PG&E easement on your property that you desire to have terminated (quitclaimed), consider these important points before starting your request:
- PG&E will not terminate an easement where PG&E has active facilities.
- PG&E will not terminate an easement if determined the easement is still necessary or useful.
- PG&E will not terminate an easement if there is a potential future need or use for the easement.
Easement termination requests require a non-refundable administrative fee to review and determine if the easement on your property can be terminated.
Note: The administrative fee is non-refundable even if it’s determined the easement can’t be terminated.
Consideration may be required to terminate the easement. For easement termination requests, fill out the Land Request Form below.
PG&E often occupies Public Utility Easements (PUE) or Public Service Easements (PSE) with its utility facilities.
- These easements are often created through an easement deed or by dedications on a Parcel or Subdivision Map.
- PUEs and PSE’s allow PG&E to install, operate and maintain its utility facilities that are used to serve a parcel or parcels within an area or subdivision.
Do you have a PUE or PSE on your property that is not occupied with PG&E’s utility facilities? Would you like the PUE or PSE to be vacated? Contact your local city or county that handles the PUE/PSE vacation process.
Before beginning the process, consider these factors:
- PG&E will not approve the abandoning of a PUE or PSE when PG&E utility facilities occupy all or a portion of the PUE or PSE.
- There still may be an existing or future need if PG&E does not currently occupy the PUE or PSE.
- PUE’s and PSE’s are not exclusive to PG&E, therefore other utility company’s may still be occupying or have a need to use the PUE or PSE for their utility facilities.
If you would like to know if PG&E is occupying a PUE or PSE on your property, fill out the Land Request Form below.
For cities and counties, refer to the One Pager on where to send PUE or PSE vacation notices and associated documents.
Note: Your request may require a non-refundable administrative fee to provide such service.
PG&E often installs facilities within public road rights-of-way. If the city or county decides to abandon or vacate the public road right-of-way, PG&E must determine:
- If it occupies the road with its facilities
- Whether rights must be reserved for the continued operation and maintenance of those facilities
For cities and counties, refer to the One Pager on where to send street vacation notices and associated documents.
For property owners, when the pubic road right-of-way is abandoned and vacated, access to PG&E's existing facilities must be maintained for the continued safe and reliable operation of its facilities.
Any plans to develop or improve the area must be reviewed and approved by PG&E prior to the beginning of any construction.
Property owners and developers are responsible for the costs associated with the relocation of existing PG&E facilities to accommodate their proposed development.
Because utility facility relocations require long lead times and are not always feasible, owners and developers are encouraged to consult with PG&E as early in their planning stages as possible.
In order to determine if facilities are in conflict with the proposed development, delineation maps must be reviewed for potential conflicts with PG&E’s utility facilities. Refer to the One Pager on how to obtain delineation maps.
Note: When a request is submitted, the Delineation Team will confirm with you if a Nondisclosure Agreement needs to be filled out or is already on file.
Once potential conflicts have been identified, refer to the One Pager on how to submit an application to request a relocation of PG&E’s utility facilities.
To promote the safe and reliable maintenance and operation of PG&E’s utility facilities, PG&E and the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) has mandated specific clearance requirements between utility facilities and surrounding improvements, vegetation, or construction activities.
To ensure compliance with these standards and any restrictions within the easement, the property owner should coordinate with PG&E early in the planning process and prior to such activities.
- Any proposed improvements or uses should provide for unrestricted access.
- They must not impair the safe and reliable maintenance and operation of PG&E's facilities.
- When planning a development project, it’s important that no buildings or other structures, wells, pools, or other obstructions are constructed or placed within PG&E’s easement.
- Debris, rubbish, earth, flammable or combustible substance, or any other substance or material must not be stored or deposited within the easement area.
- Ground level must not be substantially diminished or added to the existing grade level within the easement area.
- Landscaping shall be in compliant with PG&E’s standards and keep a safe distance from existing overhead and underground utility lines.
To ensure your project is compliant, refer to the One Pager when submitting to PG&E for review of your preliminary development documents and drawings.
For more information regarding the submittal process, download the Plan Review Step-by-Step Guide (PDF).
For more information regarding working near PG&E’s electric and gas transmission facilities, refer to the attachments XXXXXX. These are general guidelines for transmission facilities and not for distribution or service facilities, additional or modified guidelines may be required by PG&E.
Note: Any additional review beyond the initial request may require a non-refundable administrative fee.
Learn about partnering with PG&E consulting teams for your wireless connection project.
Understand PG&E's watershed land support
PG&E's hydroelectric system is comprised of more than 100 reservoirs, numerous powerhouses and various other facilities.
- Hydroelectric power is a clean and dependable source of energy.
- These facilities are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as well as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Learn more at hydropower and water safety
Using our facilities
PG&E strives to be a steward of the environment. We hold ourselves to the highest standards to protect California’s pristine lands.
- It is our responsibility to manage the areas associated with our hydroelectric recreational facilities.
- These areas include boat docks, buoys and recreational home sites—plus, uses requiring licenses, leases or other forms of agreement.
For more information, download PG&E's watershed lands leases and licenses FAQ (PDF).
Do you have questions regarding leases and licenses at Bass Lake, Bucks Lake or Lake Almanor?
Review the information in our Hydro Support Team Contact map. For areas not listed, email our Hydro Support Inbox at HydroLandSupport@pge.com.
Bass Lake, Bucks Lake and Lake Almanor
Bass Lake is located in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains in Madera County. It is roughly five miles long and 0.5 miles wide. It has just under 15 miles of shoreline.
- The lake was developed in 1904 by A.G. Wishon and William B. Day as a water-storage operation with the construction of the Crane Valley Dam.
- Bass Lake’s pine-trimmed shores and warm waters attract a variety of recreational uses, including:
- Skiing
- Boating
- Fishing
- Sailing
Still have questions?
Bucks Lake is an integral part of PG&E’s hydroelectric system. It is also home to several campgrounds, numerous recreational home sites and businesses.
- The area surrounding Bucks Lake was the summer home and hunting ground of the Maidu.
- During the Gold Rush of 1850, three men took up a land claim in Bucks Valley. One of the men, Horace Buckman, became Bucks Lake’s namesake.
- The lake supports an abundant cold-water fishery that includes several trout species, kokanee salmon and sunfish.
Still have questions?
Lake Almanor is the largest reservoir in PG&E's hydroelectric system. It has roughly 52 miles of shoreline and just under 44 square miles of surface area.
- The area was known as Big Meadows before the construction of the dam. It was the historical home of the Mountain Maidu.
- PG&E's predecessor, Great Western Power, completed the dam and filled the lake in 1914. It has been generating clearn energy ever since.
- Lake Almanor is home to many species, including:
- A large osprey population
- Grebe
- Bald eagles
- Trout
- Bass
- Salmon
- Otters
Still have questions?
Find surplus PG&E real estate
PG&E seeks to sell its surplus property to return it to productive reuse. These properties include:
- Rural land
- Urban infill
- Suburban infill
They also include properties that may be developed as:
- Offices
- Industrial
- Commercial
- Residential
In preparing properties for sale, PG&E performs pre-sale commercial and environmental reviews.
- All records are made available to the interested buyers.
- As a regulated utility, PG&E has standard sales terms.
- Properties are sold "as-is."
- Most properties are sold clear of any further PG&E encumbrances.
- Some properties will have a PG&E easement for utilities.
- Certain property sales are subject to review/approval by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
CPUC Tribal Land Transfer Policy
For those properties subject to review/approval by the CPUC, in accordance with the CPUC Tribal Land Transfer Policy, PG&E must notify any Native American tribes with a historical interest in the land that PG&E proposes to sell before putting the property on the market.
View all the notices PG&E has posted in connection with the Tribal Land Transfer Policy.
Note: Unless the property was under contract or on the market prior to implementation of the Tribal Land Transfer Policy, Tribal Notifications have been sent. The response period has passed for the properties listed as real estate currently for sale.
Real estate currently for sale
Download Bakersfield, Rosedale Hwy, ±46 acres (PDF)
Download Livermore, 998 Murrieta Blvd, ±0.55 acres (PDF)
Download Mountain View, Crittenden Lane, ±20.8 acres (PDF)
Download Richmond, Brickyard Cove Rd, ±5.91 acres (PDF)
Download Sacramento, Front St, ±8.25 acres (PDF)
Download Walnut Creek, 375 North Wiget Lane, ±0.521-acre (PDF)
Do you want to know when properties come on the market in your area?
Contact landsales@pge.com.
More on land use
Contact us
Still have questions? Email landquestions@pge.com.