For digging projects large and small, Florida law states that property owners and excavators MUST call 811 or go to sunshine811.com at least two full business days prior to digging to get underground utility lines marked at the dig site. Visit the Sunshine 811 website, or call 811, for all the information you need and to submit a request. 

Failure to contact Sunshine 811 before digging can result in Floridians unintentionally hitting underground utility lines, which can lead to injury, penalties, repair costs and inconvenient utility service interruptions.

Under Florida's 811 legislation, residents and excavators could see penalties for damaged underground utilities and violations of the law:

• Civil penalty is up to $2,500 for violations that involve hazardous material pipelines.
• Criminal penalties for knowingly and willfully removing or damaging a permanent marker.
• Violation for failure to use increased caution when working within a tolerance zone. If digging near a natural gas line marker, excavators must spot-dig the gas line to determine the exact location and depth of the pipe. The tolerance zone is defined as 2’ from either side of the pipe.

In addition to the penalties, Sunshine 811 gives enforcement authority to the state fire marshal and local fire chiefs, and it calls for fines to fund firefighter equipment and damage-prevention education.

View the color code for marking underground utility lines established by the American Public Works Association.