Rhode Island Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Rhode Island, 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
Rhode Island at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Dig Safe System, Inc.Visit website for Dig Safe System, Inc. (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- 72 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, but not more than 30 days before excavation (excavation must begin within 30 days)
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches
- Maximum penalty
- Up to $350 for a first offense; $500 to $2,500 for any subsequent offense within 12 months (assessed by the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers administrator)
Rhode Island requires excavators to notify Dig Safe at least 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, but not more than 30 days before excavating, and excavation must begin within 30 days. The law is R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-1.2 (Excavation near Underground Utility Facilities).
Tolerance Zone
18 inches
Approximate location is a strip 1.5 feet (18 inches) either side of the facility; when facilities are to be exposed, only nonmechanical means may be used and reasonable care is required.
Key Regulations
Excavation near Underground Utility Facilities (R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-1.2)
Sets notification requirements and excavation safety standards.
Citation: R.I. Gen. Laws 39-1.2
Dig Safe Participation
Rhode Island participates in the regional Dig Safe System for one-call notification.
Operator Marking
Utilities mark within 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, using a standard color code that includes white premarking.
Citation: R.I. Gen. Laws 39-1.2-5, 39-1.2-7
Penalties for Violations
The Division of Public Utilities and Carriers administrator assesses civil penalties; other civil remedies are preserved.
Maximum penalty: Up to $350 for a first offense; $500 to $2,500 for any subsequent offense within 12 months (assessed by the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers administrator)
- Contractors who fail to pay assessed fines become ineligible to bid on or be awarded public works contracts
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 Rhode Island licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Rhode Island contractor registration where the work is covered
- Municipal excavation permits where required
- 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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