Call 811 two working days before even a small dig

Contact 811 before you dig for fence or mailbox posts. Do the same for trees, irrigation work, deck footings, and other digging. California’s general rule sets a time window for notice. Notify the regional center at least 2 working days before the dig, but no more than 14 calendar days before it. Do not count the day you give notice. Mark the planned dig area in white and keep the ticket number.

Wait for the legal start time. Every operator must also respond or finish any required meeting at the site. A ticket expires after 28 days. If work will continue, renew it by the end of the 28th day. Make a new request if the dig location changes.

Operators mark the lines and other installations they own or maintain. The marks do not show depth. Customer-owned lines may not be marked. These can include water, irrigation, gas, electric, sewer, or other private lines. Ask the owner or a qualified private locator before digging.

If you strike a line, stop work and move people to a safe area. Do not try to repair it. Call 911 at once if flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid is escaping. Also call 911 for damage to a high-priority installation. Then notify the operator. Certain serious damage must also go through the regional center within 2 hours. Other damage must be reported within 48 hours. A true emergency dig has separate rules. A rushed project does not.