Idaho Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Idaho, 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
Idaho at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Dig LineStatewide except the five northernmost countiesVisit website for Dig Line (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 (Dig Line: 800-342-1585)
- Also serving
- North Idaho 811, Shoshone and Benewah countiesWebsite for North Idaho 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Also serving
- Dig Safe North Idaho 811, Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai countiesWebsite for Dig Safe North Idaho 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Notice required
- At least 2 business days but not more than 10 business days before excavation
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Ticket life
- Marks valid up to 4 consecutive weeks; re-notify if work has not started within 3 weeks
- Maximum penalty
- $5,000 per violation
Idaho requires excavators to notify the one-call center at least 2 but not more than 10 business days before digging. Dig Line serves most of the state; North Idaho 811 and Dig Safe North Idaho 811 serve the five northernmost counties. The law is Idaho Code Title 55, Chapter 22 (Underground Facilities Damage Prevention).
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
Hand digging is required in the area 24 inches or less from a facility (Idaho Code 55-2207).
Key Regulations
Underground Facilities Damage Prevention (Idaho Code Title 55, Chapter 22)
Requires notice before excavation and sets safe digging practices.
Citation: Idaho Code 55-2201 et seq.
Marking Validity
Maintained markings are valid for no longer than 4 consecutive weeks; if excavation has not started within 3 weeks of the original notice, the excavator must re-notify.
Citation: Idaho Code 55-2205
Damage Duties
The statute sets excavator duties when a facility is damaged.
Citation: Idaho Code 55-2208
Penalties for Violations
Civil penalties only, enforced through the Damage Prevention Board.
Maximum penalty: $5,000 per violation
- Training for a first violation; up to $1,000 for a second; up to $5,000 per violation for later violations within 18 months involving damage
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 Idaho licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Idaho Public Works contractor license for applicable projects
- 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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