Florida law requires anyone excavating to notify Sunshine 811 first, and utilities then mark their lines. Here's the timing and what it covers.
Timing
| Step | Florida Statutes 556.105 |
|---|---|
| Notice before digging | At least 2 full business days |
| Notice for work beneath state waters | At least 10 full business days |
| Utilities mark within | 2 full business days |
| Ticket valid for | 30 calendar days |
Utilities mark the route to within 24 inches of either side of the line, using the American Public Works Association color code. Notices that arrive outside business hours count as received the next business day.
How to request
Call 811 or (800) 432-4770, or create a single-address ticket online. Sunshine 811 suggests outlining the spot in white paint or flags if you're digging in only a small part of the yard.
The 10-inch exemption
Under 556.108, an owner digging on their own single-family lot is exempt only to a depth of 10 inches, with due care and not on a utility easement or on land being subdivided. Septic, pool and trench work all go deeper.
Around East Lake Tohopekaliga, remember the 10-business-day notice for any work beneath state waters.
Sources
- Florida Statutes 556.105 (2025): Procedures (notice to Sunshine 811)
- Florida Statutes 556.108 (2025): Exemptions
- Sunshine 811: Get started, create a ticket
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
How long is a Sunshine 811 ticket good for?
30 calendar days from when the information is provided, under Florida Statutes 556.105.
Get it quoted
Ring the number or use the form, and a contractor working in Osceola County follows up. Quotes cost nothing.
If the call goes to voicemail, say your name, number, where the property is and what needs doing.