Pennsylvania Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Pennsylvania, 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
Pennsylvania at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Pennsylvania One Call SystemVisit website for Pennsylvania One Call System (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- At least 3 but not more than 10 business days before excavation (design phase: 10 to 90 business days)
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches
- Maximum penalty
- $2,500 per violation; up to $50,000 when the violation results in injury, death, or property damage of $25,000 or more
Pennsylvania requires excavators to notify Pennsylvania One Call at least 3 but not more than 10 business days before excavating; designers notify 10 to 90 business days ahead. The law is Act 287 of 1974 (73 P.S. 176 et seq.), most recently amended by Act 127 of 2024, and the Public Utility Commission enforces it.
Tolerance Zone
18 inches
The tolerance zone extends 18 inches from the outside edge of the facility.
Key Regulations
PA One Call Law (Act 287)
Governs notification, marking and excavation safety, with mandatory white line premarking and positive response.
Citation: Act 287 of 1974 (73 P.S. §176 et seq.), as amended, most recently by Act 127 of 2024
Designer Notification
Project designers request facility information in the design phase, 10 to 90 business days ahead.
Enforcement Authority
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has enforced the law since Act 50 of 2017.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- Act 127 of 2024 (SB 1237), signed October 29, 2024, renewed the PA One Call Law (which had been set to expire December 31, 2024), re-established the PUC Damage Prevention Committee, and updated duties of facility owners, designers and project owners.
Penalties for Violations
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission imposes administrative penalties.
Maximum penalty: $2,500 per violation; up to $50,000 when the violation results in injury, death, or property damage of $25,000 or more
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 Pennsylvania licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration where the work is covered
- Municipal contractor permits and licenses where required
- 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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