Texas Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Texas, 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
Texas at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Texas 811Visit website for Texas 811 (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- At least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) but not more than 14 days before excavation
- Tolerance zone
- 18 inches plus half the pipe diameter (Railroad Commission-regulated pipelines; 16 TAC 18.2)
- Maximum penalty
- $10,000 under Utilities Code ch. 251 (sec. 251.201: $500-$1,000 first violation, $1,000-$2,000 second within a year, $2,000-$5,000 third; $5,000-$10,000 for repeat misrepresentation of an emergency)
Texas requires excavators to notify Texas 811 at least 48 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays, but not more than 14 days before excavating. The law is the Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act, Utilities Code Chapter 251. The Railroad Commission has separate damage prevention rules for pipelines (16 TAC Chapter 18).
For pipelines under those rules, use hand digging, soft digging, vacuum excavation or pneumatic hand tools within the tolerance zone.
Tolerance Zone
18 inches plus half the pipe diameter (Railroad Commission-regulated pipelines; 16 TAC 18.2)
For pipelines regulated by the Railroad Commission (16 TAC ch. 18), the tolerance zone is half the pipe's nominal diameter plus at least 18 inches on either side. Within it, use hand digging, soft digging, vacuum excavation or pneumatic hand tools.
Key Regulations
Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act
Excavation safety statute with notification and enforcement provisions.
Citation: Texas Utilities Code Chapter 251
Railroad Commission Pipeline Rules
The Texas Railroad Commission has damage prevention rules for pipelines.
Citation: 16 TAC Chapter 18
Vacuum Excavation
The Railroad Commission rules list vacuum excavation among the methods for work in the tolerance zone.
Citation: 16 TAC 18.2, 18.10
Operator Marking
Operators must mark within 48 hours, excluding weekends and holidays.
Citation: Utilities Code 251.157
Penalties for Violations
Utilities Code Chapter 251 sets civil penalties by number of violations. Railroad Commission pipeline safety penalties are separate.
Maximum penalty: $10,000 under Utilities Code ch. 251 (sec. 251.201: $500-$1,000 first violation, $1,000-$2,000 second within a year, $2,000-$5,000 third; $5,000-$10,000 for repeat misrepresentation of an emergency)
- Class B misdemeanor for intentionally removing, damaging or concealing a pipeline marker, or for intentionally or recklessly misrepresenting an emergency excavation (sec. 251.203)
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 Texas licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Local licensing and permit requirements, which vary by city
- Trade licenses where the work requires them
- 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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