Kentucky Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Kentucky, 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
Kentucky at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Kentucky 811Visit website for Kentucky 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-752-6007
- Notice required
- At least 2 full working days but not more than 10 full working days before work (working days exclude weekends, holidays and the day of the request)
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches (2 feet on either side of the outer limits of the facility)
- Ticket life
- 21 calendar days; request remarks at least 2 working days before each period ends
- Maximum penalty
- $3,000 (third and later violations within 365 days), plus up to $1,000 more per violation when a hazardous-material facility is damaged or material is released
Kentucky requires excavators to notify Kentucky 811 at least 2 but not more than 10 full working days before work, not counting the day of the request. Locate requests are valid for 21 calendar days. The law is the Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act of 1994, KRS 367.4901 to 367.4917.
The tolerance zone is 2 feet on either side of the facility. Within it, excavators must hand dig or use nonintrusive methods such as air or water with hand tools or vacuum.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches (2 feet on either side of the outer limits of the facility)
Within the tolerance zone the excavator must hand-dig or use nonintrusive methods (air/water with hand tools or vacuum), with limited exceptions for mechanized removal of pavement, rock, or material more than 12 inches from a visually confirmed facility.
Key Regulations
Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act of 1994
Requires notice before excavation and sets excavation safety standards.
Citation: KRS 367.4901 to 367.4917
Locate Request Duration
Locate requests are valid for 21 calendar days; request remarks at least 2 working days before each 21-day period ends.
Citation: KRS 367.4911(2), (8)
Damage Reporting
After damage, the excavator must stop work and immediately notify all affected operators; if flammable, toxic or corrosive gas or liquid escapes, the excavator must also call 911.
Citation: KRS 367.4911(9)
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 21 (SB 174), effective July 15, 2024, amended the definitions in KRS 367.4903; the current tolerance zone is the facility width plus 2 feet on either side.
Penalties for Violations
KRS 367.4917 imposes civil penalties, charged to the employer when the violation happens on the job. The Public Service Commission enforces for gas and hazardous liquid pipeline damage.
Maximum penalty: $3,000 (third and later violations within 365 days), plus up to $1,000 more per violation when a hazardous-material facility is damaged or material is released
- $250 for a first violation; up to $1,000 for a second
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 Kentucky licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Contractor licensing as required by project scope and locality
- City or county business license
- 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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