Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act
Virginia · 56 · §§ 56-265.14 to 56-265.32 · 29 sections
Overview
The act governs excavation and demolition work near buried utility infrastructure, with the goal of preventing damage to underground lines. It requires utility operators to join a centralized notification center and requires anyone planning to excavate to notify that center in advance, wait a specified period, and work within a site marked according to a standard color code identifying the type of line. It also sets out the corresponding duties of operators, excavators, designers, and project owners, provides exemptions for certain routine maintenance and roadway work, allocates liability between operators and excavators, and gives a state regulatory body authority to adopt rules, convene an advisory committee, and impose civil penalties.
Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.
In the courts
Sections of this act have been cited in 8 court decisions.
Most-cited authority: 60 VACIR 199 - Fulcher v. Virginia Electric & Power Co.
Sections covered
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.14Short title2 cites
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.15Definitions; calculation of time periods2 cites
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.15:1Exemptions; routine maintenance
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.16Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.16:1Operators to join notification centers; certification
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.17Notification required prior to excavation or demolition; waiting periods; marking of proposed site3 cites
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.17:1Notification and procedures for designers
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.17:2Procedures for project owners
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.17:3Procedures for operators in response to a designer notice
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.18Notification requirements
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.19Duties of operator; regulations
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.19:1Private sewer laterals and sewer system laterals
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.20Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.20:1Locating nonmetallic underground utility lines
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.21Marking by color
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.22Duties of notification center upon notification by person intending to excavate; record of notification made by telephone required
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.22:1Meetings between excavators and operators
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.23Exemption for roadway maintenance operations by the Virginia Department of Transportation and certain counties, cities, and towns
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.24Duties of excavator
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.24:1Request to cease operation; immediate threat; penalty
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.25Liability of operator and excavator; penalties1 cite
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.26Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.26:1Utility line depth requirement
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.27Repealed
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.28Sovereign immunity
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.29Other similar laws
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.30Authority of the State Corporation Commission
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.31Commission to establish advisory committee
- Va. Code Ann. § 56-265.32Commission to impose civil penalties for certain violations; establishment of Underground Utility Damage Prevention Special Fund
Enacted in other states
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