Utah Hydrovac & Excavation Regulations
Excavation law, 811 notice rules, tolerance zone and penalties for Utah, 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
Utah at a Glance
Call 811 before you dig
- One-call center
- Blue Stakes of UtahVisit website for Blue Stakes of Utah (opens in a new tab)
- Phone
- 811
- Notice required
- At least 48 business-day hours (clock starts 8:00 a.m. the next business day) and no more than 14 days before excavation. Notice is valid 21 days.
- Tolerance zone
- 24 inches
- Ticket life
- 21 days
- Maximum penalty
- $5,000 per violation, capped at $100,000 per excavation, plus up to $500 for failing to give notice (Utah Code 54-8a-8)
Utah requires excavators to notify Blue Stakes of Utah at least 48 business-day hours (starting 8:00 a.m. the next business day) and no more than 14 days before excavating. Notice is valid for 21 days. The law is Utah Code Title 54, Chapter 8a.
Tolerance Zone
24 inches
Half the marked diameter plus 24 inches, or 24 inches on either side of the mark (Utah Code 54-8a-2).
Key Regulations
Damage to Underground Utility Facilities (Utah Code Title 54, Chapter 8a)
Requires notice before excavation and sets safety standards.
Citation: Utah Code 54-8a-1 et seq.
Blue Stakes Notification
Notice to Blue Stakes counts as notice to all operators.
Citation: Utah Code 54-8a-4(5)
Operator Marking
Operators mark within 48 hours; markings are valid for no more than 21 calendar days.
Citation: Utah Code 54-8a-5
Recent and Upcoming Changes
- 2024 General Session amendments revised Utah Code 54-8a-2, -4, -5, -8 and -13 (effective May 1, 2024) and 54-8a-12 (effective July 1, 2024).
Penalties for Violations
A civil penalty generally applies only when non-compliance damages a facility. The attorney general enforces.
Maximum penalty: $5,000 per violation, capped at $100,000 per excavation, plus up to $500 for failing to give notice (Utah Code 54-8a-8)
- Possible required safety and compliance training (54-8a-8(6)(b))
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 Utah licensing board and your local permit office before bidding work.
- Utah contractor license from the Division of Professional Licensing where the work requires one
- Local business license and permits
- Liability and workers compensation 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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