Nebraska Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Nebraska, 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
Nebraska at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Nebraska 811Visit website for Nebraska 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811 or 800-331-5666
- Notice required
- At least two full business days, but no more than ten business days, before excavation
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches on either side of the marking plus one-half the width of the facility
- Maximum penalty
- Up to $5,000 per day (max $50,000) for most facilities; up to $10,000 per day (max $500,000) for gas/hazardous liquid pipelines or fiber optic facilities; committee may assess no more than $10,000 per violation (larger amounts referred to Attorney General)
Nebraska requires excavators to notify Nebraska 811 at least two full business days, but no more than ten business days, before excavating. The law is the One-Call Notification System Act, Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-2301 et seq.
Tolerance Zone
18 inches on either side of the marking plus one-half the width of the facility
Operators identify facilities within a strip of land 18 inches on either side of the marking plus half the width of the facility (Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-2323).
Key Regulations
One-Call Notification System Act
Requires notice before excavation and sets excavation safety standards.
Citation: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-2301 et seq.
Operator Marking
Operators must mark within two business days after receipt of the notice (or a mutually agreed time); marks must last at least 5 business days on nonpermanent surfaces and 10 business days on permanent surfaces, with re-marking on request.
Citation: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-2323
Excavator Duties
The Act sets excavator duties when facilities are damaged or incorrectly located.
Citation: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-2326, 76-2327
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- LB683 (2023) shifted enforcement to the State Fire Marshal and a committee beginning September 1, 2024, with a $10,000 per violation committee cap.
Penalties for Violations
The committee may assess no more than $10,000 per violation; larger amounts are referred to the Attorney General.
Maximum penalty: Up to $5,000 per day (max $50,000) for most facilities; up to $10,000 per day (max $500,000) for gas/hazardous liquid pipelines or fiber optic facilities; committee may assess no more than $10,000 per violation (larger amounts referred to Attorney General)
- Since Sept. 1, 2024 the State Fire Marshal investigates and a committee assesses 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 Nebraska licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Nebraska contractor registration as applicable
- City or county permits for excavation work
- 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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