Kentucky 811 > Homeowners > Homeowner & Non-Professional FAQs

Homeowner & Non-Professional FAQs

I’m doing simple projects on my property. Do I need to contact 811?

Yes! You must contact Kentucky 811 for all digging projects, such as installing mailboxes, fences, or landscaping. Not contacting Kentucky 811 can lead to inconvenient utility service outages along with an exorbitant repair bill, serious injury, or even death. That’s why contacting Kentucky 811 before you dig is mandated by state law.

How far in advance should I contact Kentucky 811?

You must contact 811 two full working days, or more depending on the size and scope of the project, prior to excavation to give member utilities enough time to mark the approximate location of their underground utilities and provide a positive response. “Working day” means every day, except Saturday, Sunday, and holidays established by federal or state statute from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time until 12 midnight Eastern Time, excluding the day the locate request was made.

Is there a fee to have utility lines marked on my property?

No, using Kentucky 811’s services are always free. However, if you have underground utilities that are not owned by Kentucky 811 members, such as an electric or water line to your pool or lawn sprinkler systems, you will need to contact a private utility locator company to locate those lines. These companies may charge a fee to locate private utilities on your property. Click here for more information on private locates.

I hired a contractor or landscaper to do a digging project on my property. Do I still need to contact Kentucky 811?

Your contractor is responsible for contacting Kentucky 811. Before any excavation takes place, you should confirm that they have contacted Kentucky 811 and any non-member utilities to request that the approximate location of the buried utilities be marked with flags or paint.

I am only digging in one area and don’t want my entire yard marked. How do I prevent this?

If you’re only digging on a portion of your property, be sure to outline the area where you plan to dig in white paint or white flags and specify the location when submitting your locate request.

Do I need to notify 811 even if I am digging in an area that has previously been marked?

Yes, you need to submit a new locate request each time you want to dig. Factors like erosion and plant growth can alter the location of buried facility lines. It is also possible that utility companies have added new lines since your property was last marked.

I have private facilities at my job site. What do I do?

Some underground utilities on your property will NOT be marked by Kentucky 811 members because they are not owned by Kentucky 811 members. Examples of private facilities include electric or water lines to your pool, lines to septic tanks, electric lines to sheds or landscape lighting, lawn sprinkler systems, invisible pet fencing, and more.

I have private facilities at my job site. What do I do?

Some underground utilities on your property will NOT be marked by Kentucky 811 members because they are not owned by Kentucky 811 members. Examples of private facilities include electric or water lines to your pool, lines to septic tanks, electric lines to sheds or landscape lighting, lawn sprinkler systems, invisible pet fencing, and more.

A good general rule of thumb is if the utility runs from the street to the meter, it will be marked. If the utility is installed from the meter to another location on your property, it will not be marked.

Since member utilities are not responsible for marking private facilities, it is the property owner’s responsibility to contact a private locating company. Visit our Private Locates page for more information regarding private facilities and companies that will locate them for you for a fee.

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What do the marks/flags in my yard mean?

Each color of paint/flag represents a unique type of underground utility. The APWA color code guide can tell you which colors indicate which type of utility. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. If you must dig within 24” of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care.

What do the marks/flags in my yard mean?

Each color of paint/flag represents a unique type of underground utility. The APWA color code guide can tell you which colors indicate which type of utility. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. If you must dig within 24” of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care.

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What is positive response?

Positive response is an important tool that allows member utilities to communicate the status (“Marked,” “Clear,” etc.) of a locate request directly with the excavator. This full-circle communication increases clarity and reduces the chance of a damage occurring, and each stakeholder plays an important role in the positive response loop.

What is positive response?

Positive response is an important tool that allows member utilities to communicate the status (“Marked,” “Clear,” etc.) of a locate request directly with the excavator. This full-circle communication increases clarity and reduces the chance of a damage occurring, and each stakeholder plays an important role in the positive response loop.

If a member utility displays “Through the One Call System” as a status, that means the status is communicated to Kentucky 811 instead of directly to the excavator. “Through the One Call System” has advantages to both the utility company and excavator, including:

  • A record of the response at Kentucky 811 – this is helpful when there are questions about a response, especially during a dispute.
  • Turning the positive response communication into a safety checklist at the excavation site. “Marked” with no corresponding color-coded paint, flags, or chalk can indicate that investigation is warranted before excavation begins.

Although Kentucky law does not mandate positive response “Through the One Call Center,” it is supported by Kentucky 811 with ITIC. It’s a free tool we encourage all member utilities, locators, and excavators to participate in to decrease the chance of damages.

Once you submit your locate request, you can view the status at any time by visiting the Kentucky 811 Ticket Search & Status. You will also receive an email when the excavation start date and time passes showing the current positive response status for all notified member utilities.

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How do I check positive response through the one call system?

You can check positive response status on your locate request by clicking the link included on the ticket in your confirmation email or by entering the ticket number in Kentucky 811’s Ticket Search & Status system.

How do I check positive response through the one call system?

You can check positive response status on your locate request by clicking the link included on the ticket in your confirmation email or by entering the ticket number in Kentucky 811’s Ticket Search & Status system.

If a member utility participates in positive response, you’ll see their current status. If they do not participate by responding back to the Kentucky 811 with a status, you’ll see “Does not participate.” They are still required to do the locate, but it won’t be confirmed in the system.

Positive response is not mandatory in the state of Kentucky. If you have a status question regarding a member utility that does not provide positive response, you will have to contact the utility company directly. If you have any general questions about member utility response, call Kentucky 811 at 8-1-1 or 800-752-6007.

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The member utilities have responded. Now, where should I dig?

Now that the member utilities have responded that their facilities have been marked or are not in conflict, you can begin digging with care. Kentucky law defines the tolerance zone as a strip of land at least four (4) feet wide but not wider than the width of the underground facility plus two (2) feet on either side of the outer limits of the facility.

The member utilities have responded. Now, where should I dig?

Now that the member utilities have responded that their facilities have been marked or are not in conflict, you can begin digging with care. Kentucky law defines the tolerance zone as a strip of land at least four (4) feet wide but not wider than the width of the underground facility plus two (2) feet on either side of the outer limits of the facility.

When excavation or demolition is necessary within the tolerance zone, the excavator shall hand-dig or use non-intrusive means to avoid damage to the underground facility. There are some exceptions, learn more by reading the Kentucky Dig Law.

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I think I hit a utility line. What should I do?

Stop digging immediately. Step away from the area and call 911 if the damage results in the escape of flammable, toxic or corrosive gas or liquid, or if danger is present. After calling 911, notify the utility directly. Lastly, inform Kentucky 811 of the incident by calling 8-1-1 or 800-752-6007.

Can I remove the flags in my yard?

If you or your contractors are finished with digging, you can remove the flags. If flags have been placed on your property for a project that you are not involved with – such as street or sidewalk construction – you can remove the flags from your property once the excavation has been completed with the exception of easement or right-of-way areas.