RECORD YEAR, NEW RULE FOR UTILITY LOCATES IN OREGON (Photo) - 01/13/26

Following a record-setting year for underground utility locate requests in Oregon, a new rule aimed at reducing damage has adjusted the ticket life for excavation projects from 45 days to 30 days.

Oregon set an all-time record in 2025 with 382,441 locate requests. It was fitting to reach this milestone on the 30th anniversary of the Oregon Utility Notification Center, more commonly known as Oregon 811. The Oregon Legislature created the agency back in 1995 to prevent damage to underground utilities and promote safe excavation.

“Each locate request represents a contractor or homeowner doing the right thing and using our free service to know what’s below before digging,” said Josh Thomas, Executive Director for the Oregon Utility Notification Center. “Whether you’re working on a small project or a large one, hitting a utility when digging can range from a minor annoyance to a life changing catastrophe – and in most cases it is avoidable.”

People planning to dig should request locates at least two business days in advance. Whether they call 811, request locates through Oregon811.com or use its free iPhone and Android apps, the service is quick, easy and costs nothing to use. The Oregon 811 system uses no tax dollars and is funded by more than 1,000 utilities statewide.

Starting this month, a new change is being implemented that could impact those working on large and long-term excavation projects. The life of an excavation ticket in Oregon has been reduced from 45 days to 30 days. This new deadline is noted on the dig tickets, and excavators are encouraged to consider this in their project planning.

“By reducing the ticket life from 45 days to 30 days, we’re ensuring that excavation projects are supported by the most accurate and up-to-date information,” said Melanie Lewis, Chairperson of the Oregon Utility Notification Center Board of Directors. “This enhances safety, minimizes risk, encourages communication, and helps protect underground infrastructure and the communities we serve.”

Oregon's previous 45-day ticket life deviated from industry best practices as an outlier compared to most other states. Especially in the winter and spring, rainy weather can cause locate paint marks to fade or wash away. The board approved the change after two years of meetings, testimony, and deliberations, which amended OAR 952-001-0010 (23).

For details on the status of related rule changes, visit digsafelyoregon.com/rulemaking.

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In 1995, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Utility Notification Center (OUNC) to establish a statewide notification system to reduce damages to underground facilities and to promote public safety related to excavation issues (ORS 757.547). The free service ensures that operators of underground facilities are notified of proposed excavation so the utilities can be located and marked in advance. For more information about the OUNC or the statewide notification system, go to Oregon811.com.