Call 811 Before You Dig in California

Every year, people damage gas, electric, water, sewer and communications lines because they dug without knowing what was underneath. The fix is a public service that most people never learn about until a contractor asks for the ticket number. In California, the system is called USA North 811, and calling it is the law for most digging. This page explains how it works and what to do around it.

We are not a government agency. For the exact legal requirements, check with USA North 811 directly.

What 811 is

811 is the national “call before you dig” number. In Northern California it connects to USA North 811, which takes your request and notifies the utility operators with lines near your dig site. Each operator then marks its underground facilities or tells you it has none in the area. You can reach the service by dialing 811 or through usanorth811.org.

When you have to call

California law requires contacting USA North 811 before digging, at least two working days ahead of the start of work. That applies to homeowners as well as contractors. It covers projects such as:

• Trenching for utilities, irrigation or drainage
• Installing posts, fences, mailboxes or signs
• Planting trees or deep landscaping work
• Grading, excavation, foundation and driveway work
• Pools, retaining walls and septic work
• Land clearing that includes digging or grubbing

Because there are exemptions and details that can change, confirm specifics with USA North 811 before you rely on a shortcut.

How the process works

1. Define the area. Know the address, nearest cross street and exactly where you will dig. It helps to mark the boundary with white paint or flags, as USA North 811 guidance describes.
2. Make the request. Call 811 or go to usanorth811.org, at least two working days before you dig.
3. Wait for responses. Operators mark their lines with color-coded paint or flags, or notify you that they have nothing in the area. Keep your ticket information.
4. Confirm before starting. Check that every operator has responded. If someone has not, do not assume it is clear.
5. Dig carefully. Marks show approximate locations. Near marked lines, hand digging or other careful methods are expected, rather than machines.
6. Protect the marks. If marks fade or are disturbed, contact USA North 811 about re-marking.

What the colors mean

Marking colors are standardized across the country. In general:

• Red: electric
• Yellow: gas, oil or steam
• Orange: communications
• Blue: potable water
• Green: sewer and drain
• Purple: reclaimed water
• Pink: temporary survey marks
• White: proposed excavation

What 811 does not cover

This is where people get hurt.

• Private lines. Utility operators generally mark what they own. Lines you or a previous owner installed, such as irrigation, low-voltage lighting, gas to a grill or pool heater, power to a shop and water to a shed, may not be marked.
• Abandoned lines. Older neighborhoods can have abandoned pipes and conduits. Some can still be live or hold gas or water.
• Accuracy limits. Marks are approximate. Depth is not shown, and lines can be off from where records say they are.
• Septic components and wells. On many rural parcels, tanks, leach lines and well lines may not be marked by operators. Check records with the county.

Ask the property owner and look at as-built drawings. For private lines, a private utility locator can help.

Why this matters on Sacramento-area properties

Established neighborhoods in places like Sacramento and Citrus Heights often have older utilities, mature trees and decades of changes by previous owners. Newer subdivisions have recorded utility easements that limit where you can dig and build. Rural and foothill parcels have wells, septic, long service runs and private lines that may not be marked. Whatever the setting, the process is the same, and extra care is the safer path.

Practical habits

• Call early so it does not hold up your schedule.
• Keep your ticket number and the response list with your project records.
• Tell your contractor about private lines and past work.
• Keep hand-digging near marks, and keep machines away from marked lines.
• Re-call if your project area changes or the work stalls long enough for marks to fade.
• If you hit a line, stop, keep people away and call the utility or 911 if there is any hazard such as gas smell, hissing, or downed wires.

How it fits with permits

An 811 ticket is separate from a permit. Permit requirements vary by city and county, so confirm with your jurisdiction. Having a permit does not replace the 811 request, and an 811 ticket does not replace a permit. See trenching for utilities: what to know for how locating fits into a trench plan.

If you hire a contractor

Ask who is making the 811 request and get the ticket number. Responsibility should be clear in writing, and the person digging should have the marks and response list on site. If the dig area changes, the ticket may no longer cover it, so confirm before the crew moves to a new location. A careful contractor will also walk the marks with you and ask about anything you know that is not marked.

Next step

If your project involves digging, tell us the address and what you plan to build, and we will confirm locating, access and scope at a site walk. Request a written estimate or read about our trenching services. Final scope is confirmed per job.