Who must be told before the shovel goes in
Contact utility owners before excavation; in California, notify the regional notification center at least 2 working days and not more than 14 calendar days ahead.
Key takeaways
- Before the crew opens the ground, the estimated location of utility installations must be determined, according to Legal Information Institute.
- Utility companies or owners must be contacted within established or customary local response times, advised of the proposed work, and asked to establish the location of the utility underground installations prior to the start of actual excavation, according to Legal Information Institute.
- When excavation operations approach the estimated location of underground installations, the exact location of the installations shall be determined by safe and acceptable means, according to Legal Information Institute.
- In California, all Regional Notification Centers and all known owners of subsurface facilities in the area who are not members of a Notification Center shall be advised of the proposed work at least 2 working days prior to the start of any digging or excavation work, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
- An excavator planning to conduct an excavation shall notify the appropriate regional notification center of the excavator’s intent to excavate at least two working days, and not more than 14 calendar days, before beginning that excavation, according to California Public Law.
Under the federal rule found in 29 CFR § 1926.651, utility companies or owners shall be contacted within established or customary local response times, advised of the proposed work, and asked to establish the location of the utility underground installations prior to the start of actual excavation Legal Information Institute. This requirement applies to sewer, telephone, fuel, electric, water lines, or any other underground installations that reasonably may be expected to be encountered during excavation work Legal Information Institute. The federal text does not specify a fixed number of days; it relies on local response times to determine the window for this contact.
In California, the notice requirement is more specific regarding who must be informed. According to the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1541, all Regional Notification Centers as defined by Government Code Section 4216(j) in the area involved must be advised of the proposed work California Department of Industrial Relations. Additionally, all known owners of subsurface facilities in the area who are not members of a Notification Center must also be advised California Department of Industrial Relations. The California Public Law adds that an excavator planning to conduct an excavation shall notify the appropriate regional notification center of the excavator’s intent to excavate California Public Law. This notification is required except in an emergency California Public Law.
The federal contact rule and the 24-hour sentence
This requirement applies before the crew begins digging. The regulation does not specify a fixed number of days for this initial contact; instead, it relies on the established or customary local response times in your area.
If the utility companies or owners cannot respond to a request to locate underground utility installations within 24 hours, the employer may proceed under specific conditions, according to Legal Information Institute. The text notes that a longer period is required if state or local law mandates it. When the utility cannot establish the exact location of these installations, the employer may proceed provided the employer does so with caution. The regulation further requires that detection equipment or other acceptable means to locate utility installations are used in these situations.
This 24-hour provision acts as a fallback when the utility cannot meet the initial response window or cannot pinpoint the lines. It does not replace the need to contact the utility within the local response times. The federal text does not print a two-working-day notice requirement; that specific timeline appears on state pages, not in this federal section. You must still advise the utility of the proposed work and ask them to establish the location before excavation starts. If they cannot respond within 24 hours or cannot establish the exact location, you may proceed with caution and use detection equipment or other acceptable means.
California's two working days and the 14-day outside limit
California’s notice window is tighter than the federal baseline and includes an upper limit. According to California Department of Industrial Relations, the rule requires that all Regional Notification Centers as defined by Government Code Section 4216(j) in the area involved, and all known owners of subsurface facilities in the area who are not members of a Notification Center, be advised of the proposed work at least 2 working days prior to the start of any digging or excavation work. This specific page from the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1541. General Requirements, sets the minimum lead time but does not print a maximum calendar-day limit.
The upper limit appears in the statute text. According to California Public Law, except in an emergency, an excavator planning to conduct an excavation shall notify the appropriate regional notification center of the excavator’s intent to excavate at least two working days, and not more than 14 calendar days, before beginning that excavation.
Before the notification goes out, the excavator must define the work area. According to California Public Law, before notifying the appropriate regional notification center, an excavator planning to conduct an excavation shall delineate the area to be excavated. This requirement is part of the same California Government Code section 4216.2 (2025) text. The delineation step ensures the notification center knows the specific boundaries of the planned digging.
Write the specific date of the notification in the construction daily log checklist. If the delineation changes after the notice is sent, re-evaluate the notice window. The statute requires notification of the intent to excavate in the delineated area. If the area expands, the original notice may not cover the new boundaries. Confirm with the notification center if the scope changes.
A filled reference table of the notice rules
The following table compares the notice rules as printed by each publisher, showing who is contacted, the time printed, and what happens near the line.
| publisher | who is contacted | time it prints | what happens near the line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Information Institute | Utility companies or owners | Within established or customary local response times | When excavation approaches the estimated location, determine the exact location by safe and acceptable means |
The 10-foot meeting and the 911 call
When your crew plans to dig within 10 feet of a high priority subsurface installation, the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1541. General Requirements. requires the facility owner or operator to notify you of the installation’s existence before the legal excavation start date and time. This notification must occur in accordance with Government Code Section 4216.2(a), according to California Department of Industrial Relations. Once that notice arrives, you and the owner or operator must schedule an onsite meeting at a mutually agreed time. The purpose of this meeting is to determine the specific actions or activities required to verify the location of these installations, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. The California Government Code section 4216.2 (2025) states that the operator of the high priority subsurface installation shall notify the excavator to set up this onsite meeting prior to the legal excavation start date and time or at a mutually agreed upon time. The goal is to determine actions or activities required to verify the location and prevent damage to the high priority subsurface installation, according to California Public Law.
You need to know exactly what qualifies as a high priority subsurface installation because the 10-foot rule triggers only for these specific lines. The California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1541. General Requirements. defines these installations as high pressure natural gas pipelines with normal operating pressures greater than 415 kPA gauge (60 p.s.i.g.). They also include petroleum pipelines, pressurized sewage pipelines, and conductors or cables that have a potential to ground of 60,000 volts or more. Additionally, hazardous materials pipelines that are potentially hazardous to employees, or the public, if damaged, fall into this category, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. If your excavation site is near any of these lines, the meeting requirement applies. You cannot skip the onsite meeting just because you have a ticket or a map; the rule specifically mandates a meeting to verify location.
If damage to a high priority subsurface installation results in the escape of any flammable, toxic, or corrosive gas or liquid or endangers life, health or property, the excavator responsible shall immediately notify 911, or if 911 is unavailable, the appropriate emergency response personnel having jurisdiction, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
Illustrative example
A crew delineates the dig area and gives notice 2 working days ahead, not more than 14 calendar days ahead. The dig is within 10 feet of a high priority line, so the crew meets on site before the start time and writes the location, the party notified, and the notice date.
Record the notice
Today, write the dig location, who was notified, and the date of that notice before the crew opens the ground.
See confined space entry records and high-visibility gear near traffic when the job needs those records too.
| Dig location | Who was notified | Notice date |
|---|---|---|
| Example: the marked area | the center you called | the day you called |
FAQ about calling before you dig
Who gets the notice?
You must contact Regional Notification Centers as defined by Government Code Section 4216(j) in the area involved. You must also advise all known owners of subsurface facilities in the area who are not members of a Notification Center, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. Federal rules require contacting utility companies or owners within established or customary local response times, according to Legal Information Institute.
How long does California say to wait?
California law requires notifying the appropriate regional notification center at least two working days before beginning excavation. The notice must not be given more than 14 calendar days before the work starts, according to California Public Law. This specific window applies to excavators planning to conduct an excavation, except in an emergency.
What does the federal 24-hour sentence cover?
The federal rule allows the employer to proceed if utility companies or owners cannot respond to a request to locate underground utility installations within 24 hours. Proceeding requires doing so with caution and using detection equipment or other acceptable means to locate utility installations.
What is the 10-foot meeting?
When excavation is proposed within 10 feet of a high priority subsurface installation, the excavator must be notified of its existence before the legal excavation start date and time. An onsite meeting involving the excavator and the subsurface installation owner/operator's representative shall be scheduled at a mutually agreed on time to determine the action or activities required to verify the location of such installations, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
What should I write down?
Record the dig location, who was notified, the date of notice, and the specific regulatory page used. This documentation aligns with the requirement to advise Regional Notification Centers and known owners of subsurface facilities, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.