Tennessee White Lining Requirements
Before you dig, Tennessee law may require the proposed excavation area to be marked in white so underground utility operators can clearly identify where work will take place.
Homeowners, you're included.
If you are doing your own digging, you are considered an excavator under Tennessee law and must follow the same white lining requirements.
When is white lining required?
Tennessee law requires the proposed excavation or demolition area to be designed with white markings unless one of the exceptions below applies.
Street address clearly identifies the area
The operator or its agent can determine the precise location of the proposed area of excavation based solely on
the street address from a one-call service locate ticket
because of the size of the property.
Driveway or other identifiable point
The operator or its agent can determine the precise location of the proposed area of excavation from a one-call service locate ticket which references a driveway or other easily identifiable point on the property and which identifies the property by street address or block and lot number.
Identified between intersections
The operator or its agent can determine the precise location of the proposed area of excavation from a one-call service locate ticket which identifies the property as being located on a street or road between two designated intersections of such street or road and two cross streets or roads when a street address or block and lot number is unavailable or does not apply.
Pre-excavation meeting
The person responsible for the excavation or demolition and all operators with underground facilities in the proposed area of excavation have had a meeting prior to the beginning of the excavation or demolition for the exchange of information on the location of the proposed excavation or demolition.
From Tennessee Code § 65-31-106
Notice of Intent to Excavate or Demolish
The information above is a summary. You can view the full statutory language below.
2. (b) The written, telephonic or electronic mail (e-mail) notice required by subsection (a) shall contain the name, address and telephone number and email address of the person filing the notice of intent and, if different, the person responsible for the excavation or demolition, the starting date, the anticipated duration of the excavation or demolition, the type of excavation or demolition operation to be conducted, the specific location of the proposed excavation or demolition and whether or not explosives are anticipated to be used. The location of the proposed excavation or demolition shall be designated by the person responsible for the excavation or demolition by marking such area with "safety white" color-coded stakes or white paint unless:
(1) The operator or its agent can determine the precise location of the proposed area of excavation based solely on the street address from a one-call service locate ticket because of the size of the property;
(2) The operator or its agent can determine the precise location of the proposed area of excavation from a one-call service locate ticket which references a driveway or other easily identifiable point on the property and which identifies the property by street address or block and lot number;
(3) The operator or its agent can determine the precise location of the proposed area of excavation from a one-call service locate ticket which identified the property as being located on a street or road between two designated intersections of such street or road and two cross streets or roads when a street address or block and lot number is unavailable or does not apply; or
(4) The person responsible for the excavation or demolition and all operators with underground facilities in the proposed area of excavation have had a meeting prior to the beginning of the excavation or demolition for the exchange of information on the location of the proposed excavation or demolition.