811 in Texas: Complete Homeowner Guide

About Texas 811

Texas 811 covers the entire state and is one of the largest one-call systems in the US by geographic area. Texas has significant pipeline infrastructure — natural gas, petroleum, and hazardous liquids — that makes 811 compliance especially critical.

The one-call center for all of Texas is Texas 811. You can reach them by dialing 811 from any phone, or by submitting a ticket directly through their online portal at https://www.texas811.org.

Required Wait Period

Texas requires 2 full business days notice before excavation. The clock starts from the time the ticket is processed — not when you call. Tickets submitted online or by phone are processed in real time during business hours.

Use the Wait Time Calculator to get your exact earliest legal dig date — it accounts for weekends, Texas state holidays, and federal holidays automatically.

Ticket Validity and Re-Notify Rules

Texas has one of the shortest ticket validity windows in the US — just 11 days. This catches contractors and homeowners off guard on multi-week projects. If your Texas project will take more than a week, plan your re-notify before day 9 to avoid a work stoppage. Texas 811's online re-notification is fast and available 24/7.

For the complete re-notify process and a comparison of all states' validity windows, see the Re-Notify Rules guide.

Private Lines in Texas

Texas has extensive private well and private propane infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Additionally, many Texas properties have private irrigation systems installed without records. Before any Texas excavation, assess all private lines and contact your propane supplier if applicable.

For a complete guide to locating private lines before digging, see What 811 Does NOT Cover.

How to Submit an 811 Ticket in Texas

1. Pre-mark your excavation area in white

   Mark each planned dig location with white paint, flags, or stakes before submitting your ticket.

2. Submit online or call 811

   Visit https://www.texas811.org or dial 811. Provide your address, work description, planned start date, and dig dimensions.

3. Save your ticket confirmation number

   You'll receive a confirmation number immediately. Use it to track utility responses in the Texas 811 portal.

4. Wait 2 full business days

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

5. Verify all responses before digging

   Log in with your ticket number and confirm every utility shows as "marked" or "clear." Never dig with pending responses.

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