811 in Pennsylvania: Complete Homeowner Guide

About Pennsylvania One Call (PA One Call)

Pennsylvania One Call serves the entire state and handles one of the more complex infrastructure environments in the Northeast, with legacy industrial utilities, extensive natural gas infrastructure from Marcellus Shale development, and dense urban utility networks.

Submit tickets at https://www.paonecall.org or dial 811 from any phone.

Required Wait Period in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania requires 3 full business days notice before excavation. PA One Call's online portal is one of the most detailed in the Northeast for ticket submission and status tracking.

Use the Wait Time Calculator to find your exact dig date accounting for weekends and holidays.

Ticket Validity and Re-Notify in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ties with New York for the shortest ticket validity in the Northeast at just 10 calendar days. On any Pennsylvania project lasting more than a week, re-notification is almost certain to be required. PA One Call's online re-notification process is straightforward, but forgetting to re-notify is an extremely common mistake on PA projects.

Private Lines in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has extensive rural areas with private well water, private propane service lines (particularly in areas without natural gas distribution), and agricultural private utility infrastructure throughout central and western PA.

See the full guide: What 811 Does NOT Cover.

How to Submit a Ticket in Pennsylvania

1. Pre-mark excavation area in white

   Mark each planned dig location with white paint or stakes before submitting.

2. Submit online or call 811

   Visit https://www.paonecall.org or dial 811. Include address, work type, start date, and depth.

3. Wait 3 full business days

   Do not dig until the wait period has elapsed AND all utilities have responded.

4. Verify all responses

   Log in with your confirmation number. Every utility must show "marked" or "clear."

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