Changes to Washington dig law take effect July 27

Media contact: 360-664-1116 or media@utc.wa.gov

Updates strengthen damage prevention and safety requirements

LACEY, Wash. - Effective July 27, 2025, changes to Washington's dig law (RCW 19.122) will affect all utilities and anyone excavating, including homeowners. These changes are intended to improve safe excavation practices and prevent damage to underground utilities.

The amended law is a result of a bill that passed unanimously in the state Legislature and was signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson earlier this year. Key changes include:

• Enforcement authority: The UTC Pipeline Safety program was granted additional enforcement authority for violations of any provision relating to gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities.

• Higher penalties for pipeline damages and violations: Civil penalties for damaging gas or hazardous liquid pipelines have increased to as much as $25,000. Additionally, any violation of the law involving pipeline facilities where no damage occurred may result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000.

• Clearer rules: The law clearly outlines what utilities and excavators must do and encourages safe digging methods.

• Design locate: Design locating is required for any development within 700 feet of a transmission pipeline.

• Positive response: Effective Jan. 1, 2026, an excavator may not begin excavation until they receive a positive response from all operators with underground facilities in the area identified in the notice.

The law still requires anyone planning to dig to mark the area with white lines before requesting a locate, and to maintain the locate marks for up to 45 days, after which a new locate must be requested.

Remember, before you dig, always call 811 or visit callbeforeyoudig.org no less than two full business days, and no more than 10 full business days before work is scheduled to begin. The call and locates are free to the excavators. This free service helps prevent injuries, outages and expensive repairs.

To learn more, visit utc.wa.gov/diglaw.

Established by the Legislature in 1955, the UTC Pipeline Safety Program regulates the safety practices of 41 pipeline operators and conducts safety inspections on more than 47,000 miles of natural gas and hazardous-liquid pipelines in Washington. The UTC also regulates private, investor-owned electric, natural gas, telecommunication, and water utilities in the state. More information can be found on the UTC Pipeline Safety Program webpage. 

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