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Virginia 811 rules

In Virginia you call Virginia 811: dig no sooner than 48 hours starting 7:00 a.m. the next working day after the locate request (about 3 working days). Ticket life: 15 working days from 7:00 a.m. the next working day, or from the scheduled start date if later; request remarking 3 working days before expiry for another 15 working days.

Advance notice before digging
Dig no sooner than 48 hours starting 7:00 a.m. the next working day after the locate request (about 3 working days).
Farthest ahead you can call
Not confirmed in the law we read. Ask Virginia 811.
How long the ticket or marks last
15 working days from 7:00 a.m. the next working day, or from the scheduled start date if later; request remarking 3 working days before expiry for another 15 working days.
Tolerance zone (hand dig inside it)
2 feet either side of the marked line.
White lining (premarking)
When a specific location cannot be described, white paint if practical.
The law
Va. Code 56-265.14 et seq. (56-265.17, 56-265.24); 20VAC5-309.

Good to know: Every time period skips weekends and holidays.

Call 811 from anywhere in Virginia to reach Virginia 811, or file online at va811.com.

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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