Excavation work in California, which includes agricultural activities, has required a “call before you dig” ticket since the 1980’s. Standard tickets are valid for 28 days and can be renewed if work is ongoing. In 2017, lawmakers created an ‘Area of Continual Excavation’ (ACE) ticket that is valid for one calendar year and available to farmers and certain flood control facility operators. The goal was to create a safe and less burdensome option from the normal ticket process that complies with safe digging laws.

Whether you need an ACE ticket or a standard ticket, follow these steps:

1. Mark your work area in white

Delineate your dig site in white paint, flags, stakes, whiskers, or chalk.

2. Request a ticket from USA North 811

Visit www.usanorth811.org to submit your ticket online, or dial 811; available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (including holidays). If you are requesting an ACE ticket, just let us know over the phone, or select the appropriate option when submitting your ticket online.

3. Wait the required time

Utility owners have at least two working days, not including the day of notification, to respond to your ticket by marking the site, providing information on the location of their facilities underground, or giving an ‘all clear’ if there are no facilities in the dig area.

4. Confirm all members have responded

Excavators must confirm that ALL utility members on the ticket have responded before excavation can begin, even if the start date and time has passed (submitting a ‘No Response’ to the ticket will send another notification to the utility owner. Call us at 811 or log into your E-Ticket account to submit a No Response on your ticket).

5. Dig safely and respect the marks

Excavators are required to use hand tools only within 24 inches on either side of the underground line and are responsible for the safety and protection of any facilities while they are exposed.

ACE tickets are ONLY available to farmers and flood control facilities where the excavation is part of “normal business activities.” A flood control facility is defined in Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations as “an engineered basin operated by a state or local agency, used for the temporary slowing and storing of storm water runoff and for which regular removal of debris is required."

For areas of continual excavation that include or are within 10 feet of a high priority subsurface installation, an onsite meeting between a representative of the excavator and the operator of the high priority subsurface installation is required, and must be facilitated by using an Area of Continual Excavation Agreement (form below).

An onsite meeting must take place at a mutually agreed upon date and time on the property where the high priority subsurface installation is present. Representatives must be authorized to enter into an agreement and be prepared with all the relevant information of their respective operations.

If there are contrary understandings of the exact location of the high priority subsurface installation, the operator must demonstrate a conflict with the area of continual excavation by providing documentation of the exact location of the facility or by exposing the facility with hand tools or vacuum excavation at a mutually agreed upon date and time.

If the ACE does not contain a high priority subsurface installation and is more than 10 feet away from any high priority subsurface installation, then the operator or excavator may request an optional onsite meeting using the Area of Continual Excavation Optional Agreement (form below).

On-site meeting agreement for excavation within 10 feet of a High Priority line:

• For Agricultural Operations: Form No. ACE Agreement 01 - Agricultural Operations (07-01-2020)

• For Flood Control Facilities: Form No. ACE Agreement 02 – Flood Control Facilities (07-01-2020)

On-site meeting agreement for excavation within 5 feet of any underground line (optional):

• For Agricultural Operations: Form No. ACE Optional Agreement 03 - Agricultural Operations (07-01-2020)

• For Flood Control Facilities: Form No. ACE Optional Agreement 04 –Flood Control Facilities (07-01-2020)

Area of Continual Excavation on the Underground Safety Board website

Planning & Design is a free, self-service platform that provides utility contact information for engineers and project designers, supporting projects scheduled to start beyond the legally required 811 ticket submission period.
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Important Reminder: Using the Planning and Design platform does not replace the need for an 811 ticket. When your excavation is scheduled to begin within the legally allotted time frame, you must submit an 811 ticket, even if you have utility information from the design phase.

The Planning & Design platform is state specific. Please click on the appropriate state link below to get started.

Or watch our training video for a more in depth look at the new platform:

The following is a list of Holidays recognized by California and Nevada. Both California and Nevada One-Call Laws do not allow Federal or State Holidays to be included as part of the legal notice for the excavation notification. For holidays that occur on Saturdays, USA NORTH 811 will observe the holiday the Friday before the holiday. For holidays that occur on Sundays, they will be observed on the following Monday.

2024 & 2025 Holiday Calendars

California Law: Government Code 4216(v)

“Working day” for the purposes of determining excavation start date and time means a weekday Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for federal holidays and state holidays, as defined in Section 19853, or as otherwise posted on the Internet Web site of the regional notification center.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&division=5.&title=1.&part=&chapter=3.1.&article=2.

Nevada Law: Revised Statute 455.105

“Working day” defined. “Working day” means every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Saturday, Sunday and any federal
or state holiday.
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NR...

Welcome to the USA North 811 DIRT portal. Follow the below steps to input your data for either California or Nevada. NOTE: DIRT reporting is done on an anonymous basis and is a tool for data collecting, not enforcement of excavation law. All personal information for the individual entering the report will be removed.

If you are trying to input DIRT data for California only, please click the link below to submit your report to the California DIRT Page: (NOTE: When you submit your data through the CA DIRT portal, a report will also be transmitted to the National DIRT program as well fulfilling any National reporting requirements you might have)

or click the link below to download and print out a copy of the CA DIRT form for use in the field:

If you are trying to input DIRT data for Nevada only, please click the link below to submit your report to the National CGA DIRT Page:

For more information on becoming a member of USA North 811, fill out the form below!!

Mission Statement

To cultivate public safety and damage prevention by creating cohesive lines of communication between excavators and utility operators. Our vision of transparency and fluidity is streamlined by exceptional customer service and public education. We aim to surpass One Call industry best practice standards and inspire inclusive participation from stakeholders.

History

USA North 811 began operation in May of 1975 & incorporated as a 501 (c)(6) Non-Profit Mutual Benefit Corporation in 1986. Our objective is to receive planned excavation reports from public or private excavators and to transmit those planned excavation reports to all participating utility members of USA North 811 who may have facilities in and around that excavation site. Our members will either: 1) mark or stake the horizontal path of their facility, 2) provide information about the location of their facility, or 3) advise the excavator of clearance, for facilities that they own.

Please select a Ticket Research option below

Sustaining Members

Central California Irrigation District

Los Banos, CA - 209-826-1421

M & M Electric

Sacramento, CA 916-929-0150

The Don Chapin Company Inc.

Salinas, CA 831-444-4191

Underground Construction Company Inc

Benicia, CA 707-746-8800

Wattis Construction Company Inc.

San Jose, CA 408-293-3669

Private Locators

Global Utility Tracking System

Courtland, CA 209-993-2700

Instrument Technology Corp

Sebastopol, CA 800-519-1998

Pacific Coast Locators

La Crescenta, CA 818-249-7700

Subtronic Corporation

Martinez, CA 925-228-8771

Underground Utility Detection Services

Crescent City, CA 707-954-4164

GPRS - California

Click here for website

GPRS - Nevada

Click here for website

FMG LTD

Henderson, NV 702-907-4254

California Regional Common Ground Alliance

The California Regional Common Ground Alliance (CARCGA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit mutual benefit corporation dedicated to ensuring public safety, environmental protection, and integrity of underground services in California. CARCGA is a Regional Partner of the Common Ground Alliance (CGA). Through the effective promotion of CGA’s damage prevention best practices, CARGCA boasts participation from a variety of stakeholders including but not limited to utility operators and professional excavators.

Common Ground Alliance

CGA is a member-driven association of 1,700 individuals, organizations and sponsors in every facet of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the leading organization in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders.

Nevada Regional Common Ground Alliance

The Nevada Regional Common Ground Alliance is open to any individual, organization, municipality or corporation interested in the promotion of underground damage prevention in the state of Nevada. The NRCGA provides a forum for members and non-members to exchange information and ideas at monthly meetings, offers free excavator training on damage prevention and Nevada excavation law, and holds events throughout the year to educate homeowners and excavators about the importance of calling 811 before beginning any digging project.

NICE inContact

NICE InContact is our latest technology partner that will be providing our Contact Center with a state of the art customer service phone system that will be available before 2020

PelicanCorp

PelicanCorp is a provider of software and services to Utilities, Asset owners and the One Call industry specifically for the protection of essential infrastructure. They provide our Contact Center with our ticket entry program, OneCallAccess and our utility member management program, Damage Prevention Portal.

• INTRODUCTION

AGREEMENT AND PARTIES. Underground Service Alert of Northern California and Nevada ("USA North," "us," or "we") respects the privacy of the visitors to the USA North website (collectively "website" or "site"). This privacy policy ("privacy policy" or "policy") is an agreement between USA North and you, as the user of the USA North website ("you"). This agreement tells you when this policy is effective, what information we collect from you, how we might use it, how you can review or change the personal information you provided to us, and how we may change this policy. We encourage users to read this policy prior to accessing the features of the site.

• AGREEMENT TO TERMS OF PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF USE

AGREEMENT TO TERMS. All activities in which you may engage on this website are voluntary. You are not required to provide any personal information to us unless you choose to access features on this site which require the information. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy or other terms of use on this website, then you should immediately exit this website and discontinue using the site. If you do not agree with the terms of our privacy policy, please do not provide us with any personal information and leave this website. By using the USA North website, you signify that you agree to the terms of this privacy policy.

• EFFECTIVE DATE OF AND CHANGES TO PRIVACY POLICY EFFECTIVE DATES.

This privacy policy is effective as of June 7, 2019, and will remain in effect except with respect to any of its provisions that are changed in the future, in which case the changes will become effective on the date they are posted on the website or we otherwise notify you of the changes. We reserve the right to change this privacy policy at any time. Changes, modifications, additions, or deletions will be effective immediately upon their posting to this site. You should check this policy periodically as its terms may change from time to time. Your continued use of the site after we post any such modifications will constitute your acknowledgement of the modified policy and your agreement to abide and be bound by the modified policy. We will also revise the "last updated" date found at the beginning of this privacy policy when we post changes to it.

• POLICY APPLICABLE TO ONLINE ACTIVITIES ONLY DISCLAIMERS.

The privacy policy does not extend to anything that is inherent in the operation of the Internet, and therefore beyond USA North's control, and is not to be applied in any manner contrary to applicable law or governmental regulation. This online privacy policy only applies to information collected through this site. This privacy policy does not apply to any information we may collect from you in any place other than this website.

• PERSONAL INFORMATION WE MAY COLLECT

TYPES OF INFORMATION COLLECTED. We may ask you for certain information referred to as "personal information," which includes information that pertains to your identity. Such information may include, but is not limited to, items such as your name, company affiliation, address, e-mail address, and telephone number. You may be required to provide personal information to access or use certain parts of our website or features of the site. If you do not provide the requested personal information, you may not be able to access or use the features of the site where such information is requested.

• PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU

USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION. We will primarily use the personal information we receive from you to provide services to you, including, but not limited to, the following:
A. To administer and fulfil the purpose of the USA North program.
B. To send surveys to you about our service to better understand your interests and needs, so we can improve our services. If you no longer wish to receive any e-mails from us you may opt out (see Section 12).

C. To send alerts to you about our service, updates, changes, and outages. If you no longer wish to receive any SMS messages from us you may opt out (see Section 12 and 13).

• GENERAL INFORMATION WE MAY COLLECT

TYPES OF INFORMATION COLLECTED. There may be other instances in which we collect information from you that is more general in nature ("general information"). Such information may include your Internet Protocol (IP) address, which enables us to identify your computer or device on a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network, which includes the World Wide Web. Your computer has an IP address, which is required in order for you to communicate with others via the Internet. Such general information, including cookies, as mentioned below, may be collected from you whenever you access the site, whether or not you provide us with any personal information.

7.1. Click Stream Data

When you visit our website we may also collect "click stream data" (server address, domain name). This information can be combined with information you have provided to us by registering, for example, which will enable us to analyze and better customize your visits. We may use click stream data for traffic analysis of our website to determine which features of our site are most or least effective or useful to you.

7.2. Cookies

We may also use cookies to gather information about your visits to our website and enhance your experience. More information on how we use cookies is available in the section "Use of Cookies."

7.3. How We Respond to "Do Not Track" Disclosures

We are strongly committed to not sharing nonpublic information with third parties. Under this Privacy Policy, we may share your information only under particular situations, as described in this Policy. Because we protect all users in this manner, we do not change our behavior in response to a web browser's "do not track" signal.

• PROTECTION OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION RISK OF INTERCEPTION.

Please keep in mind that whenever you give out personal information online there is a risk that third parties may intercept and use that information. While USA North strives to protect your personal information and privacy, we cannot guarantee the security of any information you disclose online. By using this site, you expressly acknowledge and agree that we do not guarantee the security of any data provided to or received by us through this site and that any personal information, general information, or other data or information received from you through the site is provided to us at your own risk, which you expressly assume.

• NO USE OF THIS SITE BY PERSONS UNDER 18 PERMITTED

9.1. Registration Declined

USA North intends only persons who are 18 years or older to use this website. Personal registration information submitted by and pertaining to a person under the age of 18 will not be accepted. Any general information provided by and pertaining to a person under the age of 18 and gathered (for example, through the use of cookies) during his or her visit may be used as indicated in this policy (see Section 7). USA North is committed to protecting the privacy of children and has no intention of collecting personal data from children under the age of 18. We encourage parents and guardians of children under 18 to regularly check and monitor their children's use of e-mail and other activities online.

9.2. Notice Concerning Children

PLEASE NOTE: We are a general audience site, and do not direct any of our content specifically at children under 13 years of age. We understand and are committed to respecting the sensitive nature of children's privacy online. If we learn or have reason to suspect that a site user is under age 13, we will promptly delete any personal information in that user's account.

• THIRD PARTIES

10.1. Disclosing Information to Third Parties

WHO MAY HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR INFORMATION. USA North is comprised of various participating members who opt to become members of USA North and who own or operate any underground facilities in the area served by USA North. We provide our services through member agreements with participating members. The participating members carry or transport materials including, but not limited to, water, gas, oil, fuel, and sewage, and/or conduit used for electric, telephone, or other services. USA North provides personal information to its participating members for the purpose of providing services. Our participating members may use your personal information for the purpose of carrying out the work as agreed with us.

In addition to members, USA North provides information to the California Underground Facilities Safe Excavation Board (Dig Safe Board) for purposes of compliance with and effectuating the purpose of California Government Code 4216 et seq.

Our sole purpose in providing personal information to the participating members is for use by the participating members in providing services related to their membership and the USA North program as contemplated by California Government Code 4216 et. seq. Any other use by participating members is neither intended nor authorized by USA North. The participating members may have adopted individual privacy policies. However, the use of your personal information by participating members is governed by the privacy policies of those participating members and is not subject to our control. Other than to participating members for the purposes set out above, and except as described in this policy, we do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information or general information to third parties without informing you in advance.

10.2. Security

RELEASE OF INFORMATION. USA North will release personal or general information without your consent for security purposes, when required by law, or to prevent imminent harm to any person or entity. We will disclose personal or general information upon receipt of a court order or subpoena, or to cooperate with a law enforcement investigation, which may include responding to requests and court orders from jurisdictions outside the United States. We fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies in identifying those who use our services for illegal activities. We reserve the right to report to law enforcement agencies any activities that we in good faith believe to be unlawful, as determined in our sole discretion. Release of your personal data for security purposes, as described in this agreement to any person or entity under any circumstances shall be based on a determination made solely by us, exercising our own discretion, permission for which is expressly granted by you to us in accordance with this policy.

10.4. Links to Third Parties

PURPOSE OF LINKS. For your convenience and to improve the usage of the website we may insert links to third parties on this site. This privacy policy does not apply to such third-party websites. These links take you outside our service and off the USA North's site and are beyond our control. This includes links from partners that may use USA North's logos as part of a co-branding agreement. The sites those links can take you to have their own separate privacy policies, and although we seek to protect the integrity of our site, USA North is not liable for the content and activities of those sites. Your visits and access to such websites is at your own risk. Please note that those other sites may send their own cookies to users, collect data, or solicit personal information.

• AUTOMATIC COLLECTION

COOKIES. A cookie is a small string of information that the website you visit transfers to your computer for identification purposes. Cookies can be used to follow your activity on the website which can help to improve your website experience. Cookies are used for such activities as remembering your user name and password, if you use such a feature on this site. If you prefer not to receive cookies, you may opt not to receive them. You can also have your computer warn you whenever cookies are being used. For both options you must adjust your browser (such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or other browser) settings. There are also software products available that can manage cookies for you. Please be aware, however, that when you choose to reject cookies, this choice may limit the functionality of the website you visit and you may lose access to some of its features.

• DELETING OR MODIFYING PERSONAL INFORMATION

CHANGING YOUR INFORMATION. You may opt out, delete, or modify your personal information associated with a specific user account, by visiting our website or by contacting us by telephone at 811. We encourage you promptly to update your personal information when it changes. However, personal information submitted in association with a submitted USA North ticket will remain on the ticket and will be maintained by USA North for purposes of its own recordkeeping responsibilities and for purposes of operating its business.

• SMS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Please read these terms and conditions carefully. By opting-in to the text messaging programs, you expressly consent to receive non-marketing and marketing text messages from USA North 811 and others texting on its behalf, including text messages made with an autodialer, at the telephone number(s) that you provide. You may opt-out of these communications at any time, and consent to receive marketing text messages is not required to purchase any goods or services.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION. USA North and its service providers may use an automatic telephone dialing system (“autodialer”) to deliver USA North text messages to you. USA North text messages are intended to provide you with updates and information including service outages, event notifications, service or system upgrades, local and state law updates, and other important 811 information.

MESSAGE FREQUENCY. The number of text messages that you receive will vary depending on how many of USA North’s text messaging programs for which you sign up to receive messages. You will receive a maximum of one hundred messages per month.

COST. Message and data rates may apply to each text message sent or received in connection with text messages, as provided in your mobile telephone service rate plan (please contact your mobile telephone carrier for pricing plans), in addition to any applicable roaming charges. USA North does not impose a separate fee for sending text messages.

SUPPORTED CARRIERS. Supported carriers may change from time to time, but currently include AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, among others.

HOW TO OPT-IN. To opt-in to receive text messages from USA North text messaging program(s), please follow the instructions provided. By opting-in, you are agreeing to the following statement: “I agree to receive marketing/autodialed text messages from USA North 811 at the mobile number I have provided. Consent is not required to purchase goods or services.”

HOW TO OPT-OUT. To stop receiving text messages from the USA North text messaging program, text STOP to the five digit short code for the text messaging program from which you no longer wish to receive message (i.e., the five digit number from which its text messages are being sent). You will then receive confirmation of your opt-out of that text messaging program.

PRIVACY POLICY TERMS & CONDITIONS. Please go to www.usanorth811.org/services/privacypol... to view our privacy policy and terms & conditions.

HELP. To request more information, text HELP to the five-digit short code for the text messaging program about which you have questions (i.e., the five digit number from which its text messages are being sent). You may also receive help by visiting the “contact us” page of our website www.usanorth811.org.

• QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION. If you have any questions or comments relating to our website or the privacy policy, contact us by telephone at (800) 640-5137.

There’s a change to our ticket size policy coming soon. What does that mean? It just means new rules on how large the area can be for each ticket.

June 2021 Webinar Video

June 2021 Webinar Presentation Slides

Ticket Size Policy Changes - Printable PDF

Starting July 1st, 2021, the following Ticket Size Policy will take effect at USA North 811:

• Locations described on tickets should be no longer than a half mile.
• Half mile segments should start and/or end at intersections whenever possible.
  • If using an intersection isn’t practical, footage between locations pre-marked in white can be used instead.
• Extending from the road into property cannot go so far as to extend into other properties that face other roads, or so far as to enter another road altogether.
• If a single parcel or address location is larger than half a mile, it is exempt from the half mile rule.
• If work is on or alongside a freeway, railroad tracks, or waterways, the maximum distance is two miles. This also applies to following a power pole corridor or pipeline right of way in a rural area.
  • A freeway is defined as a highway that has on-ramps and off-ramps.
• Two mile segments should start and/or end at on-ramps and off-ramps, mile markers, or cross streets.
  • If none of the above is practical, footage between locations pre-marked in white can be used.
• You can submit ‘intermittent’ locations along a road for street signs, power poles, trees, etc., if the distance between each location is specified.
  • The number of locations should be specified on the ticket and marked appropriately in the field.
• Intermittent locations that are very close together, such as fence posts, can be considered a ‘continuous’ location, marked with a starting and end point.
• ‘Bounded area’ locations cannot contain any named public streets.
  • Internal roads, private roadways, private driveways, trails, or other unnamed roads are exempt from this rule.

There are some exceptions to the above:

• Center Operations Supervisors may allow exemptions to any rule when warranted.
• All tickets that fall outside of these rules have been pre-approved. Existing tickets issued prior to the effective date are grandfathered in and will not need to be re-submitted.
• Existing tickets where street names were not present when issued, but appear after a map update, will be considered grandfathered if those roads do not yet physically exist in the field.

If you have any questions regarding these new policy changes to ticket size, you may reach out to weboperations@usan.org