Land records · Parcel maps · October 5, 2026
Call 811 Before You Dig: How It Works
Call 811 before you dig to have public utility lines marked for free. How far ahead to call, what the paint colors mean, and what 811 does not mark.
Call 811 before you dig is the national reminder to contact your state’s one-call center before any digging project, from planting a tree to building a fence. The service is free. Utility companies receive your request and send locators to mark their buried lines with paint or flags. Hitting a gas, electric, or fiber line can cause injury, outages, and repair bills. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
How it works
- Call 811 or submit online to your state’s one-call center.
- Describe the dig site, including address, area, and type of work. Many centers ask you to outline the area in white paint or flags.
- Wait the required time, commonly two to three business days, depending on the state.
- Utilities mark their lines or report that they have no facilities.
- Check the response through the one-call center’s ticket system before digging.
- Dig carefully, hand digging near marks.
Utility marking colors
| Color | Utility |
|---|---|
| Red | Electric power |
| Yellow | Gas, oil, steam |
| Orange | Communications, cable, fiber |
| Blue | Potable water |
| Purple | Reclaimed water, irrigation |
| Green | Sewer and storm drains |
| Pink | Temporary survey markings |
| White | Proposed excavation |
These colors follow the widely used APWA uniform color code. See what do survey flag colors mean.
The tolerance zone
Marks show approximate locations. Most states define a tolerance zone, often about 18 to 24 inches on either side of the mark, where you must dig by hand or with careful methods.
What 811 does not mark
- Private lines such as a line from the meter to a detached garage, invisible dog fences, sprinkler systems, septic lines, and private wells.
- Owner-installed electric for lights or outbuildings.
Hire a private utility locator for those.
Easements and buried lines
Utility lines often run in easements shown on the plat. See what is a utility easement on a plat and overhead vs underground utility easements. Easement lines on a plat are not the same as actual line locations, so always call 811 anyway.
Who must call
In most states, anyone digging, homeowners and contractors alike, must request locates. Penalties for failing to call vary by state.
Projects that need a locate
Many homeowners assume small jobs are exempt, but locates are commonly required for fence posts, mailbox posts, deck footings, trees and shrubs, garden beds dug deeper than a few inches, retaining walls, drainage work, and installing a shed foundation. Lines are sometimes shallower than expected because grading changed over the years. Even if you had lines marked for a previous project, marks fade and tickets expire after a set period, so request a new locate for each job.
If you hit a line
Stop digging immediately. If you damage a gas line or smell gas, leave the area and call 911 and the gas company from a safe distance. For other utilities, notify the owner through the one-call center or utility emergency number, even if the damage looks minor, because a nicked coating or cable can fail later.
Bottom line
Call 811 a few business days before digging to have public utility lines marked for free. Learn the colors, respect the tolerance zone, and hire a private locator for lines 811 does not mark. Check easements on the plat using the Platbookmapper map.
Call 811 before you dig FAQ
Is calling 811 free?
Yes, the one-call locate service is free.
How far in advance should I call 811?
Commonly two to three business days; rules vary by state.
Does 811 mark private lines?
No. Private lines past the meter usually need a private locator.
What does red paint mean on the ground?
Electric power lines.
Do I need to call 811 to plant a tree?
Yes, most states require a locate before digging.