Alaska Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Alaska, 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
Alaska at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- 811 Alaska (Alaska Digline, Inc.)Visit website for 811 Alaska (Alaska Digline, Inc.) (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-478-3121
- Notice required
- At least 2 but not more than 15 working days before excavation (10 to 20 working days for remote or unstaffed locations)
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 per offense (civil penalty of $50 to $1,000, applies when the violation causes or significantly contributes to damage)
Alaska requires excavators to notify 811 Alaska (Alaska Digline, Inc.) at least 2 but not more than 15 working days before digging. For remote or unstaffed locations the window is 10 to 20 working days. The damage prevention provisions are in AS 42.30.400 to 42.30.490.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
Operators must place field marks within 24 horizontal inches of a facility buried 10 ft deep or less (30 inches if deeper). 811 Alaska directs excavators to dig by hand or vacuum within 2 horizontal feet (30 inches if deeper than 10 ft).
Key Regulations
Alaska Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Law
Requires notice to the one-call center before excavation and sets operator marking duties.
Citation: AS 42.30.400-42.30.490
Notice Window
Notify at least 2 but not more than 15 working days before digging; 10 to 20 working days in remote or unstaffed locations.
Citation: AS 42.30.400(b)
White Lining
811 Alaska asks excavators to outline the proposed dig area in white paint before requesting locates (recommended practice; AS 42.30.400-.490 does not require white-lining)
Penalties for Violations
A civil penalty applies when a violation results in or significantly contributes to damage to an underground facility.
Maximum penalty: $1,000 per offense (civil penalty of $50 to $1,000, applies when the violation causes or significantly contributes to damage)
- Court may grant injunctive relief to the facility operator (AS 42.30.440(b)); excavator liable for repair/relocation costs in specified cases
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 Alaska licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Alaska contractor registration or license as required for the work
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation rules where the project triggers them
- 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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