NOVEC’s overhead and underground utility lines carry potentially deadly electric current, therefore it is very important to understand landscaping requirements around these lines and their supporting facilities. Because improper landscaping is a major cause of power outages and added maintenance expense, our right-of-way department staff strives to find and eliminate situations which may lead to tree/line conflicts. Easements attached to the property over which NOVEC lines pass allow NOVEC to remove or trim plant material as necessary to provide a safe, reliable, cost-effective electric distribution system to its customers.

Landscaping Standards:

• No trees, shrubs, bushes or structures are to be located within 10 feet of any door and 5 feet from any other side of these enclosures. This information is also located on all pad-mounted transformers.
• Trees, shrubs or bushes should not be planted within the right of way of underground utility lines. Before digging to plant anything in your yard, call Miss Utility of Virginia at 811 or 1-800-552-7001 to have any underground cables or lines located at no charge. After the lines are located keep all plantings at least 5 feet on either side of the red marks or flags designating underground electric lines.
• Trees, shrubs or bushes cannot be planted within a NOVEC overhead line easement. These materials add to the number of trees requiring trimming, therefore increasing the costs to maintain line clearance in the future. When planting these materials, they must not block NOVEC’s access to its overhead lines during routine and emergency situations.

The NOVEC right-of-way department staff would be happy to offer suggestions in designing a proper landscape plan for your property that will not conflict with utility lines.

Please consult your neighborhood nursery to select plant material with mature heights appropriate for your landscape plan. For more information visit the International Society of Arboriculture at www.isa-arbor.com.

View NOVEC's Homeowner's Guide to Building Decks & Additions (PDF) for planning and building guidelines.

Landscaping Standards brochure (PDF)

NOVEC reserves the right through easement to remove any trees, bushes or shrubs planted within its utility rights of way which pose a current or future threat to the access or reliability of the electrical distribution system.

NOVEC reserves the right through easement to remove any structure or remove or trim back plant material which does not adhere to these specifications.

For more information on landscaping tips, contact the right-of-way department at 703-392-1661.