{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-265.16_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-265.16_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-265.16_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-265.16_1.html"}],"law_id":56272,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56272,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.16:1","catch_line":"Operators to join notification centers; certification","history":"1989, c. 448; 1992, c. 192; 1994, c. 890; 2001, c. 399; 2023, cc. 299, 300.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery operator, including counties, cities and towns, but excluding the Department of Transportation, having the right to bury underground utility lines shall join the notification center for the area.B\n\nEvery notification center shall be certified by the Commission. The Commission shall determine the optimum number of notification centers in the Commonwealth. If the Commission determines that there shall be more than one notification center in the Commonwealth, it shall define the geographic area to be served by each notification center.C\n\nAny corporation desiring to serve as the notification center for an area of the Commonwealth may apply to the Commission to be certified as the notification center for that area. The Commission shall have authority to grant, amend, or revoke certificates under regulations promulgated relating to certification. An application for certification shall include such information as the Commission may reasonably require addressing the applicant’s operational plan for the notification center.D\n\nEvery Commission action regarding the optimum number of notification centers, the geographic area to be served by each notification center, the promulgation of notification center certification regulations, and the grant, amendment, or revocation of notification center certifications shall be made in furtherance of the purpose of preventing or mitigating loss of, or damage to, life, health, property or essential public services resulting from damage to underground utility lines. Any action by the Commission to approve or revoke any notification center certification shall:1\n\nEnsure protection for the public from the hazards that this chapter is intended to prevent or mitigate;2\n\nEnsure that all persons served by the notification center receive an acceptable level of performance, which level shall be maintained throughout the period of the notification center’s certification; and3\n\nRequire the notification center and its agents to demonstrate financial responsibility for any damages that may result from their violation of any provision of this chapter. Such requirement may be met by purchasing and maintaining liability insurance on such terms and in such amount as the Commission deems appropriate.E\n\nA notification center shall maintain a positive response system in accordance with notification center certification regulations promulgated by the Commission. The members of a notification center shall be responsible for developing and implementing a public awareness program to ensure that all parties affected by this chapter shall be aware of their responsibilities. There shall be only one notification center certified for each geographic area defined by the Commission.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":206103,"text":"Every operator, including counties, cities and towns, but excluding the Department of Transportation, having the right to bury underground utility lines shall join the notification center for the area.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":206104,"text":"Every notification center shall be certified by the Commission. The Commission shall determine the optimum number of notification centers in the Commonwealth. If the Commission determines that there shall be more than one notification center in the Commonwealth, it shall define the geographic area to be served by each notification center.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":206105,"text":"Any corporation desiring to serve as the notification center for an area of the Commonwealth may apply to the Commission to be certified as the notification center for that area. The Commission shall have authority to grant, amend, or revoke certificates under regulations promulgated relating to certification. An application for certification shall include such information as the Commission may reasonably require addressing the applicant’s operational plan for the notification center.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":206106,"text":"Every Commission action regarding the optimum number of notification centers, the geographic area to be served by each notification center, the promulgation of notification center certification regulations, and the grant, amendment, or revocation of notification center certifications shall be made in furtherance of the purpose of preventing or mitigating loss of, or damage to, life, health, property or essential public services resulting from damage to underground utility lines. Any action by the Commission to approve or revoke any notification center certification shall:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D1"},"4":{"id":206107,"text":"Ensure protection for the public from the hazards that this chapter is intended to prevent or mitigate;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"5":{"id":206108,"text":"Ensure that all persons served by the notification center receive an acceptable level of performance, which level shall be maintained throughout the period of the notification center’s certification; and","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"6":{"id":206109,"text":"Require the notification center and its agents to demonstrate financial responsibility for any damages that may result from their violation of any provision of this chapter. Such requirement may be met by purchasing and maintaining liability insurance on such terms and in such amount as the Commission deems appropriate.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"E"},"7":{"id":206110,"text":"A notification center shall maintain a positive response system in accordance with notification center certification regulations promulgated by the Commission. The members of a notification center shall be responsible for developing and implementing a public awareness program to ensure that all parties affected by this chapter shall be aware of their responsibilities. There shall be only one notification center certified for each geographic area defined by the Commission.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12882,"edition_id":1,"name":"Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act","identifier":"10.3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":249261,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12882,"identifier":"10.3","token":"56\/10.3","url":"\/56\/10.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67078,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.14","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/56-265.14\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.14","metadata":false},{"id":58284,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.15","catch_line":"Definitions; calculation of time periods","url":"\/56-265.15\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.15","metadata":false},{"id":77182,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.15:1","catch_line":" Exemptions; routine maintenance","url":"\/56-265.15_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.15_1","metadata":false},{"id":84032,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.16","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.16\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.16","metadata":false},{"id":56272,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.16:1","catch_line":"Operators to join notification centers; certification","url":"\/56-265.16_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.16_1","metadata":false},{"id":71572,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17","catch_line":"Notification required prior to excavation or demolition; waiting periods; marking of proposed site","url":"\/56-265.17\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17","metadata":false},{"id":83153,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17:1","catch_line":"Notification and procedures for designers","url":"\/56-265.17_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17_1","metadata":false},{"id":61626,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17:2","catch_line":"Procedures for project owners","url":"\/56-265.17_2\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17_2","metadata":false},{"id":81609,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17:3","catch_line":"Procedures for operators in response to a designer notice","url":"\/56-265.17_3\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17_3","metadata":false},{"id":87274,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.18","catch_line":"Notification requirements","url":"\/56-265.18\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.18","metadata":false},{"id":56575,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.19","catch_line":"Duties of operator; regulations","url":"\/56-265.19\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.19","metadata":false},{"id":76344,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.19:1","catch_line":"Private sewer laterals and sewer system laterals","url":"\/56-265.19_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.19_1","metadata":false},{"id":61252,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.20","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.20\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.20","metadata":false},{"id":80434,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.20:1","catch_line":"Locating nonmetallic underground utility lines","url":"\/56-265.20_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.20_1","metadata":false},{"id":77696,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.21","catch_line":"Marking by color","url":"\/56-265.21\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.21","metadata":false},{"id":64117,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.22","catch_line":"Duties of notification center upon notification by person intending to excavate; record of notification made by telephone required","url":"\/56-265.22\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.22","metadata":false},{"id":66270,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.22:1","catch_line":"Meetings between excavators and operators","url":"\/56-265.22_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.22_1","metadata":false},{"id":87171,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.23","catch_line":"Exemption for roadway maintenance operations by the Virginia Department of Transportation and certain counties, cities, and towns","url":"\/56-265.23\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.23","metadata":false},{"id":68853,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.24","catch_line":"Duties of excavator","url":"\/56-265.24\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.24","metadata":false},{"id":84234,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.24:1","catch_line":"Request to cease operation; immediate threat; penalty","url":"\/56-265.24_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.24_1","metadata":false},{"id":57821,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.25","catch_line":"Liability of operator and excavator; penalties","url":"\/56-265.25\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.25","metadata":false},{"id":54008,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.26","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.26\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.26","metadata":false},{"id":84847,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.26:1","catch_line":"Utility line depth requirement","url":"\/56-265.26_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.26_1","metadata":false},{"id":77994,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.27","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.27\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.27","metadata":false},{"id":86798,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.28","catch_line":"Sovereign immunity","url":"\/56-265.28\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.28","metadata":false},{"id":79358,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.29","catch_line":"Other similar laws","url":"\/56-265.29\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.29","metadata":false},{"id":56066,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.30","catch_line":"Authority of the State Corporation Commission","url":"\/56-265.30\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.30","metadata":false},{"id":54014,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.31","catch_line":"Commission to establish advisory committee","url":"\/56-265.31\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.31","metadata":false},{"id":73298,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.32","catch_line":"Commission to impose civil penalties for certain violations; establishment of Underground Utility Damage Prevention Special Fund","url":"\/56-265.32\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.32","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":84032,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.16","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-265.16\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.16","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":71572,"structure_id":12882,"section_number":"56-265.17","catch_line":"Notification required prior to excavation or demolition; waiting periods; marking of proposed site","url":"\/56-265.17\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.17","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-265.16:1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1989. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 448 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1989 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1992, chapter 192; in 1994, chapter 890<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 399<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 299<\/a> and 300<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58284,"section_number":"56-265.15","catch_line":"Definitions; calculation of time periods","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.15\/"},{"id":73298,"section_number":"56-265.32","catch_line":"Commission to impose civil penalties for certain violations; establishment of Underground Utility Damage Prevention Special Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.32\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":249279,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56272,"identifier":"56-265.16:1","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.16_1","url":"\/56-265.16_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-265.16_1\/","token":"56\/10.3\/56-265.16_1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Operators to join notification centers; certification","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-265.16:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every operator, including counties, cities and towns, but excluding the Department of Transportation, having the right to bury underground utility lines shall join the notification center for the area. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Every notification center shall be certified by the Commission<\/span>. The Commission<\/span> shall determine the optimum number of notification centers in the Commonwealth. If the Commission<\/span> determines that there shall be more than one notification center in the Commonwealth, it shall define the geographic area to be served by each notification center. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any corporation<\/span> desiring to serve as the notification center for an area of the Commonwealth may apply to the Commission<\/span> to be certified as the notification center for that area. The Commission<\/span> shall have authority to grant, amend<\/span>, or revoke certificates under regulations promulgated relating to certification. An application for certification shall include such information as the Commission<\/span> may reasonably require addressing the applicant’s operational plan for the notification center. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Every Commission<\/span> action regarding the optimum number of notification centers, the geographic area to be served by each notification center, the promulgation of notification center certification regulations, and the grant, amendment, or revocation<\/span> of notification center certifications shall be made in furtherance of the purpose of preventing or mitigating loss of, or damage to, life, health, property or essential public services resulting from damage to underground utility lines. Any action by the Commission<\/span> to approve or revoke any notification center certification shall: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Ensure protection for the public from the hazards that this chapter is intended to prevent or mitigate; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Ensure that all persons<\/span> served by the notification center receive an acceptable level of performance, which level shall be maintained throughout the period of the notification center’s certification; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Require the notification center and its agents to demonstrate financial responsibility for any damages<\/span> that may result from their violation of any provision of this chapter. Such requirement may be met by purchasing and maintaining liability insurance on such terms and in such amount as the Commission<\/span> deems appropriate. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A notification center shall maintain a positive response system in accordance with notification center certification regulations promulgated by the Commission<\/span>. The members of a notification center shall be responsible for developing and implementing a public awareness program to ensure that all parties affected by this chapter shall be aware of their responsibilities. There shall be only one notification center certified for each geographic area defined by the Commission<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nOPERATORS TO JOIN NOTIFICATION CENTERS; CERTIFICATION (\u00a7 56-265.16:1)\n\nA. Every operator, including counties, cities and towns, but excluding the\nDepartment of Transportation, having the right to bury underground utility lines\nshall join the notification center for the area.\n\nB. Every notification center shall be certified by the Commission. The\nCommission shall determine the optimum number of notification centers in the\nCommonwealth. If the Commission determines that there shall be more than one\nnotification center in the Commonwealth, it shall define the geographic area to\nbe served by each notification center.\n\nC. Any corporation desiring to serve as the notification center for an area of\nthe Commonwealth may apply to the Commission to be certified as the notification\ncenter for that area. The Commission shall have authority to grant, amend, or\nrevoke certificates under regulations promulgated relating to certification. An\napplication for certification shall include such information as the Commission\nmay reasonably require addressing the applicant’s operational plan for the\nnotification center.\n\nD. Every Commission action regarding the optimum number of notification centers,\nthe geographic area to be served by each notification center, the promulgation\nof notification center certification regulations, and the grant, amendment, or\nrevocation of notification center certifications shall be made in furtherance of\nthe purpose of preventing or mitigating loss of, or damage to, life, health,\nproperty or essential public services resulting from damage to underground\nutility lines. Any action by the Commission to approve or revoke any\nnotification center certification shall:\n\n 1. Ensure protection for the public from the hazards that this chapter is\n intended to prevent or mitigate;\n\n 2. Ensure that all persons served by the notification center receive an\n acceptable level of performance, which level shall be maintained throughout\n the period of the notification center’s certification; and\n\n 3. Require the notification center and its agents to demonstrate financial\n responsibility for any damages that may result from their violation of any\n provision of this chapter. Such requirement may be met by purchasing and\n maintaining liability insurance on such terms and in such amount as the\n Commission deems appropriate.\n\nE. A notification center shall maintain a positive response system in accordance\nwith notification center certification regulations promulgated by the\nCommission. The members of a notification center shall be responsible for\ndeveloping and implementing a public awareness program to ensure that all\nparties affected by this chapter shall be aware of their responsibilities. There\nshall be only one notification center certified for each geographic area defined\nby the Commission.\n\nHISTORY: 1989, c. 448; 1992, c. 192; 1994, c. 890; 2001, c. 399; 2023, cc. 299,\n300.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}