To view open and past meeting notices and agendas, visit the Texas Secretary of State website.
One-Call Board of Texas
Empowering Safer Digging with a Unified One-Call Solution
for Texas Excavators and Homeowners
for Texas Excavators and Homeowners
How It Works
The purpose of the One-Call Board of Texas (OCB) is to establish and operate a “one-call” excavation notification system designed to provide excavators and homeowners with the capability of making only “one-call” prior to excavation, whereby all utility companies (except water and sewer) with underground lines in the area receive notice of the planned excavation.
Notification Center
Need utility lines marked or located? Please call our registered notification center at 1-800-545-6005 or 811.
TX Regulatory Authorities
Find out how to handle inquiries and complaints regarding violations of the Texas One-Call law.
Who Do I Call?
Texas Law requires homeowners and excavators to contact 811 two business days (excluding weekends and holidays) before digging or excavating. This service is funded by the utility owners to ensure the lines and people working and living near them are safe. Call before you dig – it’s fast, easy, free, and the law!
Homeowners
Under Texas law, homeowners must notify 811 at least two business days before starting any digging projects, excluding weekends and holidays, even for work in their own yard. You should call 811 before tasks like building or repairing a fence, planting trees, installing a sprinkler system, or any other digging-related activity. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list of activities requiring notification.
Excavators
Texas law requires excavators to contact 811 two-business days (excluding weekends and holidays) before excavating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DIG SAFELY mean?
DIG SAFELY is a nationally recognized safety program developed by an industry wide group of experts from all stakeholder groups including excavators and utility operators. The purpose is to increase excavation safety and reduce dangerous and expensive damage to vital underground utilities. The Office of Pipeline Safety of the US Department of Transportation introduced it. The DIG SAFELY message is at the heart of the Texas One-Call law. A simple way to remember is “DIG WITH CARE”:
| CALL BEFORE YOU DIG | (see #2 below) |
| ALWAYS WAIT THE REQUIRED TIME | (see #3 below) |
| RESPECT THE MARKS | (see #4 below) |
| EXCAVATE WITH CARE | (see #5 below) |
Remember, DIG SAFELY and DIG WITH CARE…
It makes good sense, it’s free and IT’S THE LAW!
Do I have to call before I dig in Texas?
YES. The Texas One-Call law requires anyone (with a few exceptions such as cemeteries) to call at least 2 working days (48 hours excluding weekends and holidays) before you dig if you are planning on digging 16 inches or deeper using mechanical equipment.
How long do I have to wait?
The Texas One-Call law requires anyone (with a few exceptions such as cemeteries) to call at least 2 working days (48 hours excluding weekends and holidays) before you dig if you are planning on digging 16 inches or deeper using mechanical equipment.
What do the different colors used to mark underground utilities mean?
The Texas One-Call law requires excavators and utility operators to use the APWA Color Codes. Clicking on the link above can access the Color Codes and the American Public Works Association (APWA) link can be found in the OTHER LINKS section.
Once the lines are marked, am I free to dig away?
NO. The marks only indicate the approximate location of the underground utilities. It is still your responsibility to EXCAVATE WITH CARE. Be aware of warning signs, marked lines and any other obstacle to safe digging. Also note that the Texas One-Call law does NOT require water and sewer operators to be members of the Texas Notification System. You may need to contact them directly.