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Montana 811 rules

In Montana you call Montana 811: call before digging; owners must mark within 2 business days (5 for engineering locates). Ticket life: work must be completed within 30 days of notification; if no excavation within 30 days of marking, request re-mark (3rd request at excavator's cost).

Advance notice before digging
Call before digging; owners must mark within 2 business days (5 for engineering locates).
Farthest ahead you can call
Notifications limited to work intended to commence within 10 days.
How long the ticket or marks last
Work must be completed within 30 days of notification; if no excavation within 30 days of marking, request re-mark (3rd request at excavator's cost).
Tolerance zone (hand dig inside it)
18 inches of the outside lateral dimensions of both sides of facility ('reasonably accurate').
White lining (premarking)
When needed to give adequate information (white paint/flagging listed as options, not mandatory).
The law
MCA 69-4-501 to 69-4-505.

Good to know: Work has to be done within 30 days of the notice. A third re-mark with no digging is at your cost.

Call 811 from anywhere in Montana to reach Montana 811, or file online at montana811.org.

Running several digs at once?

TrackOver keeps each ticket number, markout date and expiry on the job it belongs to, and warns before a ticket runs out, so the crew in the hole isn't digging on a dead ticket.

811 ticket trackingFind dig work on the board

Where this comes from

Checked September 24, 2026 against the state's own statute or rule text. Rules change; confirm with the center before a big job.

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