New Virginia Utility Marking Laws: What Homeowners Must Know Before Excavation

Before You Break Ground: Virginia’s Updated Utility Marking Laws Could Save Your Life and Wallet

Virginia homeowners planning any excavation project in 2025 face stricter enforcement and clearer requirements under the state’s Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act. Whether you’re installing a new pool, building a deck, or simply planting trees, understanding these regulations isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting your family, your property, and your finances from potentially catastrophic utility strikes.

The 48-Hour Rule: Your Legal Obligation

Virginia’s Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act requires that everyone, including homeowners, must call Miss Utility (Dial 811 in Virginia, or 1-800-552-7001) 48 hours before performing the work. This isn’t a suggestion—it’s state law. A homeowner using a shovel and a professional excavator using an earthmover are required by state law to call 811.

Anytime you’re breaking ground — whether for a small project or larger tasks like landscaping, excavation, or demolition — you need to contact Virginia 811 at least 3 working days in advance. The process has been streamlined through Virginia 811 (formerly Miss Utility), making it easier than ever for homeowners to comply with the law.

Understanding the Marking Timeline and Validity

Once you’ve made your 811 call, utility companies have specific timeframes to respond. The operator or contract locator shall mark the underground utility line and report the marking status to the positive response system by no later than 7:00 a.m. on the third working day following the excavator’s locate request.

The markings aren’t permanent, and homeowners need to understand their validity period. The excavator’s notification shall be valid for 15 working days from 7:00 a.m. on the next working day following a locate request. Three working days before the end of the 15-working-day period, or at any time when line-location markings on the ground become illegible, the excavator intending to excavate shall contact the notification center and request the re-marking of lines.

Recent Updates to Marking Standards

Virginia has enhanced its marking requirements to improve safety and accuracy. Markings shall be made at sufficient intervals to clearly indicate the approximate horizontal location and direction of the underground utility line. However, the distance between any two marks indicating the same utility line shall not exceed 20 feet.

Markings of underground utility lines shall be by means of stakes, paint, flags, or combination thereof. The terrain, site conditions, and the type and extent of the proposed excavation shall be considered to determine the most suitable means to mark underground utility lines.

What Utilities Are Marked—And What Aren’t

While Virginia 811 coordinates the marking of public utilities including gas, electric, water, sewer, telecommunications, and cable lines, homeowners must understand the limitations. Private utility lines will not be marked. Private utility lines include the water pipe from the meter to the house or building and the sewer lateral from the property line to the house or building.

This means homeowners are responsible for locating private lines on their property. Contact a private utility locating service. Private locating services are not free, but they are the safest option.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

Failure to notify Miss Utility before you dig could make you liable for the cost of any repairs should you damage a utility service. Beyond repair costs, utility strikes can result in service outages affecting entire neighborhoods, environmental damage, and even serious injuries or fatalities.

Excavation work, including hand digging with a spade or shovel or plowing around a home or business is the most common cause of natural gas emergencies. If a natural gas line is damaged accidentally or the distinct odor of natural gas (rotten eggs) is present, call 911 from a safe location.

Best Practices for Safe Excavation

Even after utilities are marked, safe excavation requires careful attention. Once the lines are marked, only use hand digging tools to carefully uncover the area around a utility line. Make sure the marks remain visible during the project. If the lines are damaged or removed, customers are encouraged to contact 811 to have lines remarked.

For larger projects requiring professional excavation services, working with experienced contractors who understand Virginia’s utility marking requirements is crucial. Companies like R.E. Douglas Company, which has been serving Virginia’s Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula since 2003, understand the importance of proper utility clearance procedures. When homeowners need professional Excavation Services Lancaster County, VA, experienced contractors ensure all utility marking requirements are met before beginning any work.

New Database Requirements for 2025

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been directed to maintain a publicly accessible database to map all utility work approved for its roads in residential neighborhoods. The information will be available in the database at least 30 days prior to the start date of any such utility work, though that reporting requirement doesn’t apply to emergency work.

Your Action Plan

Before starting any excavation project in Virginia:

Virginia’s utility marking laws exist to protect lives, property, and essential infrastructure. By understanding and following these requirements, homeowners can ensure their excavation projects proceed safely and legally. Remember, the free 811 service is available 24/7, 365 days a year—there’s never an excuse to dig without calling first.

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