Ohio Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Ohio, 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
Ohio at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- OHIO811 (Ohio Utilities Protection Service)Visit website for OHIO811 (Ohio Utilities Protection Service) (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- At least 2 working days (not counting the day of notification) but not more than 16 calendar days before excavation
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches
- Ticket life
- OHIO811 says a ticket effectively expires if digging does not begin within 16 calendar days
- Maximum penalty
- Up to $2,500 for a first failure and up to $5,000 for subsequent failures; up to $10,000 for a party found a persistent noncomplier (PUCO, on Underground Technical Committee recommendation)
Ohio requires all excavators to contact OHIO811 at least 2 working days (excluding the day of notification) but no more than 16 calendar days in advance (HB 227, effective June 9, 2026). Excavation duties are in ORC 3781.25 et seq., and PUCO enforces through ORC Chapter 4913.
Tolerance Zone
18 inches
The tolerance zone is the facility width plus 18 inches on each side (ORC 3781.25).
Key Regulations
Ohio Underground Utility Protection Law
Sets notification, marking and excavator duties.
Citation: ORC 3781.25 et seq. (excavation duties) and ORC Chapter 4913 (PUCO enforcement)
Mandatory 811 Training
HB 227 created mandatory 811 training.
Citation: ORC 3781.261
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- HB 227 (136th General Assembly), signed March 10, 2026 and effective June 9, 2026: notice changed to 2 working days (excluding the notification day) with a 16 calendar day maximum, and mandatory 811 training created. The prior law required 48 hours and no more than 10 working days.
Penalties for Violations
PUCO imposes fines and nonmonetary penalties such as training after Underground Technical Committee review.
Maximum penalty: Up to $2,500 for a first failure and up to $5,000 for subsequent failures; up to $10,000 for a party found a persistent noncomplier (PUCO, on Underground Technical Committee recommendation)
- Nonmonetary penalties such as training, imposed by PUCO after Underground Technical Committee review
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 Ohio licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Contractor licensing as required by the local jurisdiction
- Municipal excavation permits where required
- 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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