Minnesota Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Minnesota, 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
Minnesota at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Gopher State One CallVisit website for Gopher State One Call (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-252-1166
- Notice required
- At least 48 hours, excluding the day of notification, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and not more than 14 calendar days before excavation
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Ticket life
- 14 calendar days from the start time
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 per violation per day (civil penalty imposed by the commissioner of public safety)
Minnesota requires excavators to notify Gopher State One Call at least 48 hours, excluding the day of notification, weekends and holidays, and not more than 14 calendar days before excavating. The law is Minnesota Statutes Chapter 216D.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
Excavators must determine the precise location of a facility before excavating within 2 feet on either side of the marks (Minn. Stat. 216D.04).
Key Regulations
Minnesota Excavation Notice Law
Requires notice before excavation and sets marking and excavator duties.
Citation: Minnesota Statutes Chapter 216D
Electronic Positive Response (2026)
Effective August 1, 2026, operators must provide an electronic positive response through Gopher State One Call before the locate period ends.
Citation: Minn. Laws 2026, ch. 112
Locate Ticket Duration
Locate tickets are valid for 14 calendar days from the start time.
Citation: Minn. Stat. 216D.04, subd. 4c
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- Minn. Laws 2026, ch. 112 (S.F. 4339, signed May 26, 2026) requires an electronic positive response through Gopher State One Call starting August 1, 2026; operator contact information updates take effect January 1, 2027.
Penalties for Violations
The commissioner of public safety imposes civil penalties.
Maximum penalty: $1,000 per violation per day (civil penalty imposed by the commissioner of public safety)
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 Minnesota licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Contractor license as required by project scope
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry requirements where they apply
- Workers compensation and 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.
Hydrovac Jobs in Minnesota
Browse current hydro excavation job openings in Minnesota.
Need Hydrovac Services in Minnesota?
Request hydro excavation service in Minnesota through Hydrovac Hotline, our sister site.
