Kansas Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Kansas, 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
Kansas at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Kansas 811Visit website for Kansas 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-344-7233
- Notice required
- At least 2 full working days but not more than 20 calendar days before the scheduled start; the notice is valid for 20 calendar days after the excavation start date
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Ticket life
- 20 calendar days after the excavation start date
- Maximum penalty
- Up to $200,000 per violation per day, max $2,000,000 for a related series of violations (K.S.A. 66-1812 applies the K.S.A. 66-1,151 civil penalties)
Kansas requires excavators to notify Kansas 811 at least 2 full working days but not more than 20 calendar days before the scheduled start. The notice is valid for 20 calendar days after the excavation start date. The law is the Kansas Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, K.S.A. 66-1801 et seq., enforced by the Kansas Corporation Commission.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
Tolerance zone is the area within 24 inches of the outside dimensions of the facility in all horizontal directions (operators of water/wastewater facilities may elect a 60-inch zone).
Key Regulations
Kansas Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act
Primary excavation safety statute requiring notification and safe digging practices.
Citation: K.S.A. 66-1801 et seq.
Operator Marking
Operators must mark the tolerance zone within 2 working days, starting from the later of the first working day after the notice or the first day after the site is white-lined.
Citation: K.S.A. 66-1806
Damage Notification
After contact or damage, the excavator must immediately notify the operator and the notification center; if dangerous gases or fluids are escaping, the excavator must immediately inform the municipality's emergency personnel.
Citation: K.S.A. 66-1810
Penalties for Violations
The Kansas Corporation Commission can seek civil penalties and injunctive relief.
Maximum penalty: Up to $200,000 per violation per day, max $2,000,000 for a related series of violations (K.S.A. 66-1812 applies the K.S.A. 66-1,151 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 Kansas licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Contractor licensing as required by the city or county
- Municipal permits and business licenses
- 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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