What do normal homeowner's do about utility flags/markings? Calling 811 will get your underground utility lines marked and your project off to a safe start. So far, i've mowed and trimmed around them to the best of my ability. The mess they leave. You may be so tempted to remove utility color flags from your yard. [email protected], A long time coming: No. ; Yellow Lines used for natural gas, oil, steam, petroleum, as well as other gaseous or flammable materials. They mark these existing utilities with painted lines and flags to help our crew determine where they'll bury the new cable. The yellow flags will help identify contractors that a gas line is on that spot. Can I Have a Sheep in My Backyard? This is because they are placed on public right of way. Can I remove the MISS DIG flags in my yard? Privacy Policy. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. If you have a kids who love to dig, the centers offer child . This gives utility companies the legal right to be on your property to fix any broken lines or install new utility lines, even if it means making changes to your yard. I'm assuming my neighbor needed to dig and had the lines flagged. If youre asking, what color will CATV flags in my yard or at&T flags in my yard be, then the answer is orange. The orange flag has a traffic light-like symbol on it. Make sure you're prepared with the Denton Record-Chronicle's coverage of Denton County's key races, and the candidates in the running for them. - Ohio Revised Code: 3781.29 (A) The quick answer is yes, you can. (Yes. Doing so is illegal and you could pay a fine. Had to make a run to get a tube installed in a BRAND NEW TIRE! The lost time from the utility company and repair costs to that feeder was in the range of $450,000. Removing Your Lawn. Follow this procedure: 1. Give the utility flag company a call first to inquire about their presence, and whether or not it's safe to remove them. Blue Water, slurry, and irrigation lines. 1. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. For yellow flags, try to call your natural gas provider, and for green flags try to call your local sanitary sewer authority or DPW. Seeing colorful flags in your yard can be surprising and maybe at times, frustrating, especially if you like to maintain a beautiful, pristine yard. But this authority only takes place after the initial need for the flags is completed. For this very reason, it is vital to be in-the-know when it comes to an easement on a property youre eyeing before buying it. When they dig the holes do their work and leave. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Placing orange flags means companies should be careful about digging this area, especially when people are expecting a big game on TV. Flags can be used to mark even simple digging projects like installing clothesline or repair and maintenance projects such as repairing the fire hydrant nearby. Just purchased my first house and I'm shocked at the little things that I just never knew or understood about daily life. The state requires utility companies and their subcontractors to locate and mark where underground lines are buried. If you happen to notice that these flags have shown up in your entire neighborhood, this is likely the case. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. That way, contractors will not dig it up. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Once mower is stopped, walk over and move the flags out of the way. (We Checked), Can You Demo a House With a Mortgage? If you have these flags and paint in your yard, it means that someone in the area is planning to dig and they did the responsible thing and called 811 . Automatic Can Seamer A utility easement gives utility companies the right to access any area in your property for work on gas, electric, sewer, telephone, and water lines. However tempting it may be, one should not remove those flags. These will help workers locate important marked spots. If youre unsure, a more helpful way to deal with this is to call 811. If you discover utility lines put up in your garden, some repair or maintenance works will be carried on the utility lines in the area. This is because the removal of utility flags can land you in trouble with the states authorities. athermalized lenses Every morning, get a link to our newly redesigned e-Edition and the top Denton headlines you need to start your day. The colors follow the Uniform Color Code set by the American Public Works Association. 0. Avoiding the flagged areas, of course. If youre dealing with this problem, you should probably stick around and read the rest of this blog post. If not, they will inform you when they will be able to send over a check to cover the damage. Your e-mail address will be used to confirm your account. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yardpit_com-box-4','ezslot_3',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yardpit_com-box-4-0'); The utility companies are given this right for the major purpose of public safety as these utility lines are placed underground. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. Different colored flags signal the different utilities: blue for water, yellow for oil and gas, orange for telecommunications, green for sewer and drain lines, red for electric, white for excavation and pink for temporary survey. 1. If youre going this route, make sure you work with a lawyer that has experience in dealing with utility concerns. At this point you might start to wonder, Can I remove utility flags in my yard?. There are a few important reasons why there are flags on your lawn. Ask the title company, attorney or your real estate agent to retain all documents . I understand your perspective..but tell me this if you cannot disturb flags for a certain period of time, why does the utility not come and gather up the flags when that period is over? Part of their maintenance program is to mark their lines whenever someone places a "notice" or "ticket" with the Virginia 811 center. If locate flags are in place for more than 14 days without any activity, the property owner can remove them because they are no longer valid at that point. Known as "locate flags," the person who called for their placement is responsible for removing them when the job is complete. If youre having trouble contacting the company or if you feel they are not attending to your concern, you have two ways to approach this: Is it possible to sue your utility company? We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. When I can remove them? Ir Lens The green flag has a sinkhole cover plate symbol; the flag indicates sewage and drain lines which are also very important. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. As you spot those flags, you may not be sure what to do or what they mean. A surveyor places survey markers to label major points on the land's surface. You can get more details as to who requested the placement by calling the hotline. Easements can easily be considered a burden for most property owners. Also, most flags bear the name of the company that placed them, so you should be able to see the contact information. Can I Remove Utility Flags In My Yard: Is this Illegal? State law ( Wisconsin Statute 182.0175) requires notifying Diggers Hotline before you excavate, grade, trench, dig, drill, augur, tunnel, scrape, plow cable or pipe. It may, Read More Can I Have an Electric Fence Around My Property Legally?Continue, In recent years, shipping containers have become a popular alternative to traditional homes. If the damage has not been compensated despite several attempts of reaching out to them, whether directly or via proper channels, you might consider hiring a lawyer. (Yes. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. This is because they are placed on public right of way. The yellow flags will help identify contractors that a gas line is on that spot. Yard Blogger provides practical tips and friendly expert advice on everything relating to your home and yard. Each excavator is required to place their own locate request. We've been plugging sidewalls on mowers for years. The Yellow flag utility has an oil drop symbol in it. These will help workers locate important marked spots. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. For instance, it is not that uncommon for an electric company to call in a 150 radius of a utility pole that is going to be replaced. The question of legality and the right to remove utility flags from your lawn or property can be tricky. I've had decent luck with plugs in mower tires. If the species is a foreign one, it likely escaped captivity, or the owner let it out, and it might threaten those species in your region. And at highway speeds, that is dangerous. Have you talked to your neighbor to make sure they've had the work done already? custom marker flags Utility flags have been in use for as long as they can be remembered. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. They are often placed in the city. When she is not writing, she goes camping with her husband and little kids. Email your question for Insight Denton to [email protected]. i have plugs in both of my mowers. If youre unsure, a more helpful way to deal with this is to call 811. For the quickest answers, call you local Call 811 center by dialing 811 from any land line or cell phone. Never fear, because in this article, were going to go over what utility flags are, what the different color utility flags mean, as well as what you can do as the property owner. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Denton city spokeswoman Jessica Rogers recommends that a property owner concerned about lingering flags call 811 to get more information about who called in and requested utility locations. The removal usually happens when the job is done. Usually, this involves potable water. Power, telephone, gas, and water lines are buried underground, likely on your property. Damages to your property resulting from negligence or accidents is inevitable, especially when a utility company digs in your yard. Positive Response can be checked here or by calling 800-445-3894. ago. Utility lines are a matter of public or state-owned facilities that are meant to serve the public. Utility companies are empowered by law to place such flags, given that such utilities are considered public property by law. More people now want to invest, Read More Can I Have a Shipping Container in My Backyard Legally?Continue, A pergola is a great way to add some extra shade to your yard or garden, and it can, Read More Can a Pergola Have a Solid Roof? Specifically, about these utility flags and markings - why are they on my yard? The colors are as follows are noted in this handy chart. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. This repair in such situations involves sections of the utility line that pass through your yard. You have permission to edit this article. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Maybe try searching. The flags wont be there for long. They Do), Do Moths Come From Caterpillars? Yellow locator flags are crucial for avoiding damaging gas lines. But the fact is, utility companies often do just that. If you see plenty of white flags wrapped around an area, that should give you an idea of how big the project is.