Missouri Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Missouri, 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
Missouri at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Missouri 811Visit website for Missouri 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-DIG-RITE
- Notice required
- At least 2 and not more than 10 working days (Missouri 811 recommends 3)
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Maximum penalty
- Up to $10,000 per violation per day; maximum $500,000 for violations of 319.010-319.050
Missouri law requires notice to Missouri 811 at least 2 and not more than 10 working days before excavating; Missouri 811 recommends allowing 3 working days. The law is RSMo 319.010 to 319.050, rewritten in part by SB 133 effective August 28, 2025.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
Approximate location is a strip no wider than the facility width plus two feet (24 inches) on either side (RSMo 319.015).
Key Regulations
Missouri Underground Facility Safety Law
Sets notice, marking and excavator duties.
Citation: RSMo 319.010 to 319.050 (sections amended by SB 133, effective Aug 28, 2025)
White Lining
When the excavation location cannot be clearly identified otherwise, the excavator may white-line the route with white paint, stakes, whiskers or similar markings, or use electronic white lining (GIS polygon) through the notification center.
Citation: RSMo 319.026
Relocate Requests
A relocate request is required if excavation cannot begin within 10 working days.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- SB 133 (effective August 28, 2025) rewrote RSMo 319.015 to 319.035, added electronic white lining, referenced CGA Best Practices, and added sections 319.019 and 319.034.
- Missouri One Call System rebranded as Missouri 811 on January 1, 2023.
Penalties for Violations
The attorney general or a prosecuting attorney can bring an action for civil penalties and equitable relief.
Maximum penalty: Up to $10,000 per violation per day; maximum $500,000 for violations of 319.010-319.050
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 Missouri licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Contractor licensing or registration as required by the city or county
- Municipal business license and permits
- 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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