What to Know Before Digging: Call 811 and City Permits

A new fence, garden bed, tree, mailbox, deck, or utility connection can change a property quickly. Before breaking ground in Susanville, California, property owners and contractors need to identify underground facilities and determine whether the work requires a City permit. Taking these steps protects people, property, and essential services.

Underground lines may carry natural gas, water, electricity, telecommunications, or other utilities. Some are buried near the edge of a property, beneath driveways, or across areas that appear clear. A small mistake with a shovel or excavator can cause an outage, environmental damage, serious injury, or an emergency response.

The Susanville Public Works website provides municipal information, contact resources, permit guidance, and updates related to streets, utilities, engineering, and other infrastructure. Use official City information alongside the statewide 811 service when planning excavation.

Why underground utility locating matters

Calling 811 before digging creates a request for participating utility operators to identify and mark their underground facilities. The service is designed for planned excavation, whether the project is large construction or a smaller residential improvement. Markings help workers adjust the project layout and avoid hazardous lines.

Utility marks do not show every private facility. Lines serving a house, detached garage, irrigation system, private lighting, septic system, or other customer-owned equipment may not be located by the public utility company. A private utility locator may be needed when the project area contains privately installed infrastructure.

What to expect after calling 811

Provide the excavation address, boundaries, start date, type of work, and contact information. Clear descriptions help locators understand the full area that may be disturbed. Call before work begins, allow the required response period, and verify that marks remain visible throughout the project.

Paint, flags, or stakes generally identify the approximate horizontal path of a buried facility. They do not indicate depth, and weather, landscaping, traffic, or construction can obscure them. Treat marks as a guide rather than an exact measurement, and use care when digging near any identified line.

Project situation	Recommended action
Planting a tree or installing a fence	Contact 811 before excavation and keep the request area accurate
Trenching for water, gas, drainage, or conduit	Call 811, confirm marks, and check permit requirements
Working near a sidewalk, street, or public right-of-way	Contact the City before work and ask about applicable permits
Digging near a private line	Arrange private locating in addition to the 811 request
Marks are missing or damaged	Stop and request clarification or remarking before continuing

When a City permit may be required

A utility locate and a municipal permit serve different purposes. Calling 811 identifies underground facilities; it does not authorize construction, road excavation, work in a public right-of-way, changes to a sidewalk, or connections to a municipal utility. A City permit may be necessary even when no utility conflict is found.

Projects involving streets, sidewalks, driveways, drainage, water service, natural gas infrastructure, grading, structures, or work within public property may have specific requirements. The applicable department may request plans, dimensions, traffic controls, insurance information, inspections, or restoration details. Contact Susanville Public Works early so the project can be reviewed before materials are ordered or excavation begins.

Preparing the site and paperwork

Start with a simple site plan showing the property lines, work area, proposed depth, access route, and nearby structures. Note existing meters, valves, cleanouts, utility poles, hydrants, drainage features, and pavement. This information can help the City and utility representatives identify possible conflicts.

Keep your 811 confirmation details and permit documents available at the job site. Tell every worker or contractor where the marks are located and which areas are off limits. If the design changes, the excavation expands, or the work is postponed beyond the locate period, make a new request or obtain updated instructions as needed.

Working safely around marked facilities

Use accepted excavation practices near marked utilities. Hand-expose lines carefully when required, maintain a safe distance from markings, and follow the instructions provided by the utility operator or permit authority. Mechanical equipment should not be used carelessly around a suspected gas, electric, water, or communications line.

If a line is damaged, stop work immediately, move people away from the area, and notify the affected utility and emergency services when appropriate. Do not operate switches, start vehicles, create flames, or use equipment that could ignite escaping gas. Drivers and pedestrians can also review this gas leak guidance for practical safety information.

Plan the work before breaking ground

A few minutes of preparation can prevent delays, repair costs, and dangerous service interruptions. Use this checklist before excavation:

• Define the complete work area, including access points and spoil piles.
• Contact 811 early enough for utility operators to respond before the planned start.
• Arrange private locating for customer-owned or unknown underground lines.
• Ask Susanville Public Works about right-of-way, sidewalk, street, drainage, utility, or engineering permits.
• Preserve utility marks, keep documents on site, and stop if conditions differ from the approved plan.

Permit approval may also require restoration of pavement, landscaping, curbs, or sidewalks after the work is complete. Ask about inspection timing and repair standards before digging so the final site meets City requirements.

Safe excavation begins before the first shovel enters the ground. Call 811, confirm the markings, obtain any required City approvals, and coordinate with qualified contractors and utility representatives. Visit the Susanville Public Works website for current department contacts, infrastructure information, and project guidance before starting work.