North Dakota Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for North Dakota, 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
North Dakota at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- North Dakota One CallVisit website for North Dakota One Call (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- 48 hours, beginning 12:01 a.m. the day after the request, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Ticket life
- 21 days after the planned excavation date
- Maximum penalty
- Up to $25,000 per violation (civil penalty sought by the ND Public Service Commission)
North Dakota requires a 48-hour notice to North Dakota One Call, starting at 12:01 a.m. the day after the request and excluding weekends and holidays. The law is NDCC Chapter 49-23 (One-Call Excavation Notice System).
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
Excavation within 24 inches of the outer edges of a marked facility must be done manually ("careful and prudent manner"), and uncovered facilities must be supported and protected.
Key Regulations
One-Call Excavation Notice System
Requires notice before excavation and sets safe digging standards.
Citation: NDCC Chapter 49-23
Locate Ticket Duration
Locate requests are valid 21 days after the planned excavation date.
Citation: NDCC 49-23-04
Penalties for Violations
The North Dakota Public Service Commission can seek civil penalties.
Maximum penalty: Up to $25,000 per violation (civil penalty sought by the ND Public Service Commission)
- Class A misdemeanor for damaging a facility and failing to notify the operator as soon as reasonably possible, or backfilling before the operator investigates
- Civil liability for repair costs (NDCC 49-23-06(2))
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 North Dakota licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- North Dakota contractor license where the work requires one
- North Dakota Industrial Commission rules for oil field work 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.
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