Report Burned-Out Streetlights - Québec Bylaw

Utilities and Infrastructure Quebec 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Quebec

In Québec, Quebec, proper reporting of burned-out streetlights helps municipal crews schedule repairs and maintain public safety. This guide explains how to identify a burned-out or flickering streetlight, how to report it to city services, who enforces public lighting rules, expected response timelines and what information speeds up repairs.

How to report a burned-out streetlight

Identify the pole number or nearest civic address, note the lamp behaviour (steady off, flickering, damaged fixture) and take a photo if safe. Use the city online reporting form or call the municipal service desk to submit a service request; include pole details and a photo to help crews locate the issue quickly. Report via the city online reporting page Report a streetlight outage[1] or contact By-law Enforcement for follow-up By-law Enforcement - City of Québec[2].

Provide the pole number or nearest address to speed up inspection and repair.

Penalties & Enforcement

Municipal responsibility for public lighting rests with the city’s technical or public works departments and enforcement is managed by By-law Enforcement where applicable. Specific monetary penalties for leaving public lighting in disrepair are not specified on the cited pages; consult the enforcement contact for details.[2]

  • Enforcer: By-law Enforcement and Public Works departments (inspection and repair coordination).[2]
  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: not specified on the cited page; contact enforcement for repeat or continuing issues.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders for corrective work or municipal repair; specific orders or processes are not specified on the cited pages.
If you see damaged wiring or a fallen pole, keep clear and report immediately by phone.

Applications & Forms

The city accepts service requests through an online report form and by phone; no separate permit or application is required to request a public lighting repair. The online reporting page provides the official submission method and does not list a specific form number.[1]

Action steps

  • Note location: pole number, nearest civic address and landmark.
  • Report online using the city reporting page or call the municipal service desk.[1]
  • Attach a photo and describe the lamp behaviour (off, flickering, broken glass).
  • Allow the city inspection crew to assess and schedule repair; follow any instructions from By-law Enforcement for safety.
  • If you receive an order or invoice, follow payment or appeal instructions from the issuing department.

FAQ

How long does a repair take?
Repair timelines vary by priority and workload; the cited reporting page provides the service request process but does not specify standard repair times.[1]
Can residents force a repair or file a complaint?
Residents can file a service request and escalate to By-law Enforcement if not resolved; specific escalation procedures are not detailed on the cited pages.[2]
Is there a fee to report a burned-out streetlight?
No fee is required to report a burned-out streetlight; service request submission is free via the city reporting tools.[1]

How-To

  1. Locate the pole number or nearest address and photograph the fixture.
  2. Open the city online reporting page and complete the service request with details and photo.[1]
  3. Alternatively call the municipal service desk and provide the same information.
  4. Track the service request number and respond to any follow-up from the city crew or By-law Enforcement.
  5. If repairs are delayed, contact By-law Enforcement to request status or escalation.[2]

Key Takeaways

  • Report with the pole number or nearest address for fastest response.
  • Use the city online form or phone service desk; reporting is free.[1]

Help and Support / Resources


  1. [1] Report a streetlight outage - City of Québec
  2. [2] By-law Enforcement - City of Québec