Maine Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Maine, 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
Maine at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Dig Safe System, Inc.Visit website for Dig Safe System, Inc. (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 888-344-7233
- Notice required
- At least 3 business days but not more than 30 calendar days before excavation; the area must be pre-marked (white-lined) first; re-notify if work runs past 60 calendar days
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches
- Ticket life
- Re-notify if excavation continues past 60 calendar days after notification
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 per violation; up to $10,000 for a repeat violation within the previous 12 months (administrative penalties assessed by the Maine PUC)
Maine requires excavators to pre-mark the dig area in white and notify Dig Safe at least 3 business days but not more than 30 calendar days before excavating. Re-notify if work continues past 60 calendar days. The law is 23 M.R.S. 3360-A, Protection of Underground Facilities.
Tolerance Zone
18 inches
Mechanical excavation is prohibited within 18 inches of marked facilities until they are exposed (initial removal of pavement or rock is allowed).
Key Regulations
Protection of Underground Facilities (Maine Dig Safe law, 23 M.R.S. 3360-A)
Requires pre-marking and notice before excavation and limits mechanical digging near marked facilities.
Citation: 23 M.R.S. 3360-A (Title 23, Part 3, Chapter 307, Subchapter 2)
Notice and Pre-Marking
Pre-mark the dig area in white and notify Dig Safe at least 3 business days but not more than 30 calendar days before excavating.
Citation: 23 M.R.S. 3360-A(3); MPUC Rules ch. 895 §4(A)
Gas or Hazardous Material Release
Call 911 if gas or hazardous material escapes after damage.
Citation: 23 M.R.S. 3360-A(10-B)
Penalties for Violations
The Maine Public Utilities Commission assesses administrative penalties and may issue cease and desist orders.
Maximum penalty: $1,000 per violation; up to $10,000 for a repeat violation within the previous 12 months (administrative penalties assessed by the Maine PUC)
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 Maine licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Contractor registration as required by project type
- Municipal excavation permits where required
- 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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