Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Chapter 10.3 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act.” It is part of Title 56 “Public Service Companies”. It contains 29 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 29 sections.

§ 56-265.14	Short title
§ 56-265.15	Definitions; calculation of time periods
§ 56-265.15:1	Exemptions; routine maintenance
§ 56-265.16	Repealed
§ 56-265.16:1	Operators to join notification centers; certification
§ 56-265.17	Notification required prior to excavation or demolition; waiting periods; marking of proposed site
§ 56-265.17:1	Notification and procedures for designers
§ 56-265.17:2	Procedures for project owners
§ 56-265.17:3	Procedures for operators in response to a designer notice
§ 56-265.18	Notification requirements
§ 56-265.19	Duties of operator; regulations
§ 56-265.19:1	Private sewer laterals and sewer system laterals
§ 56-265.20	Repealed
§ 56-265.20:1	Locating nonmetallic underground utility lines
§ 56-265.21	Marking by color
§ 56-265.22	Duties of notification center upon notification by person intending to excavate; record of notification made by telephone required
§ 56-265.22:1	Meetings between excavators and operators
§ 56-265.23	Exemption for roadway maintenance operations by the Virginia Department of Transportation and certain counties, cities, and towns
§ 56-265.24	Duties of excavator
§ 56-265.24:1	Request to cease operation; immediate threat; penalty
§ 56-265.25	Liability of operator and excavator; penalties
§ 56-265.26	Repealed
§ 56-265.26:1	Utility line depth requirement
§ 56-265.27	Repealed
§ 56-265.28	Sovereign immunity
§ 56-265.29	Other similar laws
§ 56-265.30	Authority of the State Corporation Commission
§ 56-265.31	Commission to establish advisory committee
§ 56-265.32	Commission to impose civil penalties for certain violations; establishment of Underground Utility Damage Prevention Special Fund