{"slug":"us-811-call-before-you-dig","name":"811 Call Before You Dig","provider":{"name":"Common Ground Alliance and state 811 centers","type":"other"},"organization":null,"country":"US","region":null,"locality":null,"scope":"national","audience":["homeowner","renter","landowner","farmer","business","school","hoa","community_group"],"kind":"permit_rules","benefit":"Free marking of buried utility lines before you dig a planting hole, required in every state","summary":"811 is the free national before-you-dig service. Anyone planning to dig, including homeowners planting trees and shrubs, contacts 811 by phone or through their state 811 center's website a few business days ahead; utilities then mark buried lines with paint or flags. Not calling is the top cause of utility damage, and even shallow shovel work counts as digging.","eligibility":"Everyone who digs on any property in the United States, including homeowners planting trees on their own land.","how_to_apply":"Call 811 or submit a request on your state 811 center's website a few business days before digging. Have the address, county, nearest cross street, type of project and the exact dig area ready; wait until all utilities have responded and marked before breaking ground.","url":"https://call811.com/","source_url":"https://call811.com/","season":null,"program_status":"active","lat":null,"lng":null,"data_note":"Advance notice periods (typically two to three business days) and legal penalties are set by each state's dig law.","updated_at":"2026-11-08T00:02:20.743Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/residents/programs/us-811-call-before-you-dig","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/residents/programs/us-811-call-before-you-dig.md","license":"CC-BY-4.0"}