Yes. Fence posts mean digging, and California law requires the person excavating to contact the regional 811 center at least two working days, and no more than 14 calendar days, before digging. In Oakland that center is USA North 811. The service is free.
Why does a fence need an 811 ticket?
Post holes are usually 2 feet deep or more, which is deep enough to reach gas lines, electric service, water, sewer laterals and communication cables. Many Oakland lots have older utility lines whose exact location nobody remembers. A strike can mean injury, an outage and repair bills.
How does it work?
- Mark the area. California law asks the excavator to delineate the area to be dug, typically with white paint or flags along the fence line.
- Call 811 or file online with USA North 811, at least two working days ahead.
- Wait for the marks. Utility operators mark their lines with colored paint or flags, or tell you they have nothing there.
- Dig carefully near the marks. Near a marked line, the digging is done by hand, not with a power auger.
How long is a ticket good for?
Under California Government Code section 4216.2, a ticket is valid for 28 days from the date it is issued. If the job is not finished, the ticket has to be renewed by the end of the 28th day, online or by calling 811.
Does 811 mark my private lines?
Usually not. Utility operators mark the lines they own, typically up to the meter. Lines the owner installed after the meter, such as a sprinkler system, a garage feed or a line to a backyard unit, are often not marked. Tell us about them at the estimate.
Who calls when we do the job?
We do. On every Oakland fence we install, we mark the line, open the 811 ticket and wait for the marks before the first post hole.
Related
Sources, as of November 2026: California Government Code section 4216.2; USA North 811 (usanorth811.org); Contractors State License Board guidance on excavation notice. General information, not legal advice.
Updated November 2026