Tennessee Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Tennessee, 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
Tennessee at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Tennessee 811Visit website for Tennessee 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- At least 3 but not more than 10 working days before digging
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Maximum penalty
- $15,000 per incident
Tennessee requires excavators to notify Tennessee 811 at least 3 but not more than 10 working days before digging. The law is the Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, TCA 65-31-101 et seq. The Underground Utility Damage Enforcement Board, supported by the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, handles enforcement.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
The approximate location is a strip no wider than the utility plus 2 feet on either side.
Key Regulations
Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act
Primary statute requiring notice and setting excavation safety standards.
Citation: TCA 65-31-101 et seq.
White Lining
The TPUC guidance states that white lining the proposed excavation is required.
Enforcement Board
The Underground Utility Damage Enforcement Board (TCA 65-31-114), supported by the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, investigates complaints and issues penalties/training.
Citation: TCA 65-31-114
Penalties for Violations
Enforcement is civil. The Underground Utility Damage Enforcement Board can order training and civil penalties.
Maximum penalty: $15,000 per incident
- Mandatory damage prevention training ordered by the Underground Utility Damage Enforcement Board
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 Tennessee licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors license where the work requires one
- Local business license and excavation 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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