Arkansas Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Arkansas, 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
Arkansas at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Arkansas 811Visit website for Arkansas 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-482-8998
- Notice required
- At least 2 but not more than 10 full working days before excavation
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches
- Ticket life
- 20 working days from the date notice was given
- Maximum penalty
- $10,000 per violation (3+ violations in 12 months), capped at $50,000 for subsequent violations in a 12-month period; pipeline damage up to $257,664 per violation per day (max $2,257,664)
Arkansas requires excavators to notify Arkansas 811 at least 2 but not more than 10 full working days before digging. Notice is effective for 20 working days. The law is the Arkansas Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act, A.C.A. 14-271-101 et seq.
A 2025 amendment lists conditional exemptions from the notice requirement, including moving earth off an operator's right-of-way or easement with specialized equipment designed to excavate without damaging facilities, such as pressurized water or air coupled with a vacuum system. Read the exemption conditions in the statute before relying on it.
Tolerance Zone
18 inches
The approximate location is a strip at least 3 ft wide but no wider than the facility plus 18 inches on either side (A.C.A. 14-271-102). Arkansas 811 advises hand digging or a method approved by the utility within this zone.
Key Regulations
Arkansas Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act
Requires notice before excavation and sets marking and safe digging duties.
Citation: A.C.A. 14-271-101 et seq.
Notice and Ticket Life
Notice is effective for 20 working days from the date given; renotify if work is not complete or marks are gone.
Citation: A.C.A. 14-271-112
Operator Marking
Operators must mark within 2 working days after notification from the One Call Center, starting the working day after notice.
Citation: A.C.A. 14-271-110
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- 2023 amendments (effective March 16, 2023) rewrote the penalties: mandatory training, $5,000 and $10,000 tiers, a $50,000 cap, pipeline penalties, and Attorney General or prosecutor enforcement.
- A 2025 amendment (effective August 5, 2025) revised the notice exemptions in A.C.A. 14-271-109, including a conditional exemption for vacuum excavation equipment off an operator's right-of-way.
Penalties for Violations
A person who damages a facility while violating the Act faces mandatory training (1st violation in 12 months) and escalating civil penalties. The Act was amended in 2023 to add penalties, mandatory training and Attorney General enforcement.
Maximum penalty: $10,000 per violation (3+ violations in 12 months), capped at $50,000 for subsequent violations in a 12-month period; pipeline damage up to $257,664 per violation per day (max $2,257,664)
- Up to $5,000 for a second violation within 12 months
- $2,500 for failing to complete required training
- Enforced by the Attorney General, county prosecutor or city attorney
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 Arkansas licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board license where the project requires one
- Local business license where required
- Liability and workers compensation 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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