South Carolina Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for South Carolina, 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
South Carolina at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- SC 811Visit website for SC 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- 3 to 12 full working days before excavation, not counting the day notice is given (subaqueous: 10 to 20 full working days)
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Ticket life
- 15 working days after the commencement date
- Maximum penalty
- Up to $5,000 per violation; up to $25,000 per violation for gross negligence, failing to report or concealing damage, destroying marks, non-membership by operators, or intentional violations (effective May 22, 2026)
South Carolina requires notice to SC 811 3 to 12 full working days before excavation, not counting the day notice is given (10 to 20 full working days for subaqueous work). The law is the Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act, SC Code 58-36-10 et seq.
Act 65 of 2025, effective May 22, 2026, added a soft digging definition (air or water with vacuum excavation) and allows soft digging equipment inside the tolerance zone before the facility is visually located.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
The tolerance zone is 24 inches on either side of the facility, or half the diameter plus 24 inches (SC Code 58-36-20). Soft digging equipment may be used in the zone before the facility is visually located.
Key Regulations
Underground Facility Damage Prevention Act
Requires notice and sets excavation safety standards.
Citation: SC Code 58-36-10 et seq.
Operator Marking
Operators provide marks within 3 full working days, not counting the notice day.
Citation: SC Code 58-36-70(B)
Large Projects
A new section sets rules for large projects.
Citation: SC Code 58-36-75
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- Act 65 of 2025 (H.3571), effective May 22, 2026: penalties raised from $1,000 to $5,000 and $25,000, a complaint and mediation process through the Attorney General and SC811, large project rules, and soft digging allowances in the tolerance zone.
Penalties for Violations
Complaints go to the Attorney General's Office, which refers them to SC811 for investigation and mediation before any civil penalty action.
Maximum penalty: Up to $5,000 per violation; up to $25,000 per violation for gross negligence, failing to report or concealing damage, destroying marks, non-membership by operators, or intentional violations (effective May 22, 2026)
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 South Carolina licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- South Carolina Contractors Licensing Board license where the work requires one
- Local business license and permits
- 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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