Alabama Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Alabama, with citations to the statutes and the one-call center.
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality and utility, so always contact 811 and confirm current requirements before you dig. Read the disclaimer
Alabama at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Alabama 811Visit website for Alabama 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-292-8525
- Notice required
- At least 2 but not more than 10 working days before excavation, not counting the day of notification
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches
- Ticket life
- 20 working days; renew at least 2 working days before it expires
- Maximum penalty
- $10,000 per incident (gross negligence or willful noncompliance)
Alabama requires excavators to notify Alabama 811 at least 2 but not more than 10 working days before digging, not counting the day of notification. The law is Code of Alabama Title 37, Chapter 15, which AL811 calls the Alabama Underground Damage Prevention Act.
A revised version of the law takes effect January 1, 2027. The current law stays in force through December 31, 2026.
Tolerance Zone
18 inches
The tolerance zone is the width of the facility plus 18 inches on either side (Code of Ala. 37-15-2). The law requires excavators to keep clearance and take precautions within it (37-15-8).
Key Regulations
Alabama Underground Damage Prevention Act
Requires notice before excavation or demolition and sets the tolerance zone around marked facilities.
Citation: Code of Ala. Title 37, Chapter 15 (Notification of Excavation or Demolition Operations)
Notice and Ticket Life
Excavators must give notice at least 2 but not more than 10 working days before work starts. An excavation notice is valid for 20 working days and must be renewed at least 2 working days before it expires.
Citation: Code of Ala. 37-15-4
Emergency Excavation
Emergency work may proceed without the standard notice if notice is given before starting or as soon as practicable afterward.
Citation: Code of Ala. 37-15-7
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- A revised Alabama Underground Damage Prevention Act takes effect January 1, 2027. Per AL811, it expands "excavation" to include hand digging, dredging and marine construction (with listed exemptions), adds a process for complex or large projects, lets excavators start early once every operator posts a complete or not-affected positive response, and requires excavators to determine facility depth when crossing a facility in the tolerance zone. The penalty amounts, 18-inch tolerance zone, notice window and ticket life are unchanged.
Penalties for Violations
The Underground Damage Prevention Authority enforces tiered civil penalties per incident: training and/or up to $500 (1st), up to $1,000 (2nd within 12 months), training plus up to $3,000 (3rd within 12 months), and up to $10,000 for gross negligence or willful noncompliance.
Maximum penalty: $10,000 per incident (gross negligence or willful noncompliance)
- Willfully or maliciously removing or destroying utility markings is a Class C misdemeanor; other violations carry civil penalties
Licensing and Permits to Confirm
Licensing depends on the type of work and the city or county. Treat these as items to check with the Alabama licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- General contractor license from the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors where the project requires one
- Municipal business license where you operate
- Liability insurance as required by law and by contract
Sources
Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Facts on this page were checked against these statutes, rules and one-call center pages.
Disclaimer
This guide is general information about state excavation and one-call (811) laws. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Laws, rules and one-call center procedures change, and requirements can differ by city, county, utility operator and type of work. Facility operators may also set their own requirements. Before any excavation, contact the state one-call center through 811 and confirm current requirements in the statute and rules cited on this site. For questions about your obligations or liability, consult the statute directly or a licensed attorney in the state where the work takes place.
Hydrovac News makes no warranty that this information is complete, current or accurate, and is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on it.
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