Excavation Permit

Most municipalities and state agencies require an excavation permit before any digging occurs within public rights-of-way, near public infrastructure, or in regulated areas. The permit application typically requires information about the excavation location, purpose, methods, traffic control plan, utility locate confirmation, insurance documentation, and the planned restoration of the disturbed area.

Excavation permits serve several purposes: they ensure that the excavating party has appropriate insurance and qualifications, they allow the municipality to coordinate multiple projects in the same area, they establish the requirements for traffic control and surface restoration, and they create a record of who is digging where and when.

Performing excavation without a required permit is a violation that can result in fines, stop-work orders, and liability for any damage that occurs. Permit requirements and fees vary widely between jurisdictions, and the time required to obtain a permit can range from same-day issuance to several weeks in some cities. Hydrovac contractors should be familiar with permit requirements in all jurisdictions where they operate.