If you purchase a property with a utility easement in place, it means that the utility company has the right to run lines on it, install items on it and do any other work necessary as dictated by law. I've got a question for you guys. 8. If they're marked with a logo and the name of the utility, feel free to give them a call to inquire about their placement, but for safety purposes, remember to leave them where they are. On the backside of the boards attach two more 13's on each panel . If you must dig within 24" of utility marks/flags, be sure to dig with care. Please have something to write with. They were here today.They marked with both spraypaint and flags. Green Utility Box In Backyard. MetroNet is legally required to have utilities locate their underground transmission line, such as gas, water, and electric lines prior to construction. As part of the construction process, Midco or our contractor will call 811 for your address to notify all utility companies serving your area. The American Public Works Association (APWA) has color-coded all utilities so it's easy for those in the industry to immediately identify what utility is running where. Creating a utility easement requires you to follow the same procedures as creating or transferring other property interests. As water flows across a typical surface or landscape, most of it will run off quickly without having a chance to soak into the soil, even on land that appears flat or very gently sloping. No Lawns is a way to utilize to yard space other then traditional grass lawn such as flowers, fruits and veggies herbs, and paths. ragingloli ( 49922) "Great Answer" ( 13 ) Flag as . This typically occurs within 2-3 working days. A: Yes, and it doesn't matter how deep you are digging. Denton city spokeswoman Jessica Rogers. Does Vexus have permission to be on my property? I arrived home from work yesterday to find flags in my front yard that said AT&T D and seemingly gave notice that at dig was going to happen. More information can be found at www.gopherstateonecall.org. The flags are red (electric), orange (telecommunication) and yellow (gas). Q: Can I move the flags in my yard? After 10 days, we can remove the markings. After deciding where you'd like to place your Astroturf, mark the corners of the area carefully in your yard with flags or another type of marker. Each company is responsible for marking their own underground utility lines on the property with flags and/or temporary paint. I've mowed twice with my flags in the ground. Michigan Yard Sign Regulations. And it may not even be evident in your yard. At first I didn't know what it was (coming from condo's and apartments) but about a month . A: Please do not remove the flags. I suppose there is the 3rd possibility. Before you buy a new tree, find out about its growth potential. 9. Marks are just to mark any utilities. In seven words; yes, they do it all the time. You can easily remove the item from your cart if you do not want to buy it. Each affected utility company will send a locator to mark the approximate location of your underground utility lines. Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center's website a few business days before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don't unintentionally dig into an underground utility line.. 811 protects you and your community! A surveyor places survey markers to label major points on the land's surface. States may have their own right of entry laws that allow a surveyor to access bordering properties. You can either mark them with pink flags or landscape-safe spray paint, or report them by filling out the form below. A stake is placed at the location of the new pedestal. State law ( Wisconsin Statute 182.0175) requires notifying Diggers Hotline before you excavate, grade, trench, dig, drill, augur, tunnel, scrape, plow cable or pipe. Different colored flags signal the different utilities: blue for water, yellow for oil and gas, orange for telecommunications, etc. If you have a power company easement on your property, the seller should have disclosed it when you bought the house. The colors have become the standard across the industries. Utility Easement Restrictions. Wait until all utilities have been marked before you start digging. Surveyor May Not be Trespassing on Your Land. A survey of the property will also show the location of utility easements. With a swale or other earthwork such as a rain garden, the water flows into the trench, where it slowly seeps deep into . The flags show where the existing utilities are, helping MetroNet crews avoid these areas. Show activity on this post. A stake is placed at the location of the new pedestal. 4. You will know that our work is complete when the utility flags have been removed from your yard, and any holes in the area have been backfilled. This is done with either flags or a special spray paint, neither of which will cause long-term harm to your lawn. Posted on Jul 31, 2012. We work with local utility companies to identify gas, electric, and water lines that are already in your yard. A good sharp, flat shovel makes the job easier. . Hanson Features High-quality PVC Marking Flags sized 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" . If you are unable to maintain the marks during your project, or the project will continue past your request's expiration date (varies by state), please contact your 811 center to ask for a re-mark. Although advancements in technologies have made the equipment much more reliable . I was unable to find any number I could call to talk to someone about . If the flags are removed before work is done, buried utility lines could be damaged and workers could be injured. Water, weed, and wait for organic materials to decompose. However, municipal officers or public utilities may erect any danger or warning sign required by law or any sign designed for the protection of the public or to aid in the utility ' s operation (CGS 13a-124). Measure twice, cut once, and use plenty of pink flags. There are many types of utility locating equipment available in the market these days. According to the Pennsylvania Underground Utility Line Protection Act (Act 287): "SECTION 10. The flags locators leave behind are all marked with the name of the utility and a phone number that you can call. Yes, Vexus has the legal right to access the designated utility easements typically located within the back alley, a strip of land running along the street, the sidewalk, the rear . Spread a layer of newspaper (8-10 sheets) or cardboard (1-3 layers). I can be reached at 541-882-6331. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while utility work is ongoing. Yellow flags - Just like yellow caution tape, you want to stand back from yellow flags. I am not your attorney and the suggestions I provide are general and not intended to be legal advice for your particular matter. The neighbor man began mowing into our yard by 20 feet. Respect the utility marks (paint or flags). Once these colorful flags or . Utility easements are usually created by conveying a deed, a contract or a will. It can be some distance (I think 2-3 ft) from where the actual digging will be done. If flags are in your yard, please do not remove them. 8. When someone files a locate request with GSOC, we notify the facility operators who have underground utilities in the proposed excavation area. According to Krueger, once a project is completed, it's the responsibility of the contractor to remove the flags. Water your lawn. Do the top section the same as the bottoms. Refusal to pay a deposit if you can't show satisfactory credit. Failure to pay another utility for the same type of service you've requested. Private message. Also Know, can I remove utility flags in my yard? Utility Locator, LLC utilizes both electromagnetic and ground penetrating radar equipment to successfully locate most underground utilities on your project or construction sites. Some may notify you ahead of time, while most companies won't. They won't even wait for your approval to do the digging. Refresh Marks requests may be submitted via our online, self-service option know as REV or by calling 8-1-1 or 800-892-0123. If my crew shows up to a site that is marked, they are instructed to get a close as possible, but in no way disturb the flags or markings in anyway at all. The flags are clearly a danger to your son so you will have to keep him out of the yard until the flags can be removed. then you can put up almost any sign you want as long as it isn't libelous or hate speech, and does not conflict with signage requirements of your . Avoid frequent and shallow watering, and instead, aim to deeply water your grass once or twice a week. 811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. As it turns out, that surveyor either has a clear legal right to your property or is trespassing. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. Public Utility Easements. Campaigns are not allowed to place signs on the state, county or city rights of way. 5. In Florida, yard sign regulations are governed by Section 106.1435 of the state code. It may take 2 to 3 days for utility operators to respond to your application, but the time varies with each state. A : The paint you see in the street near your dig site is called an "offset marking."When a locator marks a non-permanent surface, such as grass or dirt, he or she can also put an offset marking on the nearest permanent surface (such as a sidewalk, street or driveway) to indicate the distance (in feet) and direction of the underground utility from your dig site. Or you can go to the county land records office or city hall and ask a clerk to show you a map of the easement locations. They mark these existing utilities with painted lines and flags to help our crew determine where they'll bury the new cable. A: Yes, and it doesn't matter how deep you are digging. 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. Refresh Marks requests can only be submitted for excavation projects that were started within 14 calendar days of the initial locate requests. Ensure that your measurements are correct so that you can lay the Astroturf according to the flag markers without concern about the final appearance of the project. If you have these flags and paint in your yard, it means that someone in the area is planning to dig, and they have contacted Gopher State One Call (GSOC) to file a locate request. 3. 2. Here's a key to the flags' colors: If flags are in your yard, please do not remove them, they may have a logo and/or the name of the utility that has placed it there. I recommend 1'x2 to 2'x3 pads, as if it gets larger than this it becomes difficult to handle. Replace flags in original position. You should have your gate repaired and then submit a claim for the cost to the utility company's insurance company. Reveal number. I'm assuming my neighbor needed to dig and had the lines flagged. Rake & Till. In the mean time is it OK to mow the spraypainted marks? . Excavation, according to the law, means anything that moves, removes or displaces earth rock or other material in or on . Easements can also be created through . any disputes related to rebate redemption by binding arbitration and you waive any right to file or . Our work will be . Mow your yard. I had 811 mark my utility lines. The fact the marks are orange denotes communication lines. Keep grass about 3 inches tall when you mow. 5 years ago. Failure to pay the bill of another customer for whom you signed a written guarantee. When calling for locates, please have the following information ready: Who the work is being done for (general contractor or project) Type . Easy to see where the property line lay due to our sprinklers being in a row. Or call 1-800-632-4949. Utility color codes are used to identify existing underground utilities in construction areas with the intent of protecting them from damage during excavation. It will be about 2 weeks before I can get the landscaping work done. A: Please do not remove the flags. At least 3 business days before you plan to dig, make your locate request online with the Utility Notification Center of Colorado (Colorado 811). The reasons are kinda' obvious. Residential customers. As a quick background for new readers who have joined us, virtually every home that has ever been built, at least in the last 60 years, has recorded utility easements running through the yards, both front and back. For electric, failure to comply with a Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) tariff regarding operation . Once mower is stopped, walk over and move the flags out of the way. Get a garden spade, flat shovel, or scraper. No person shall intentionally remove or tamper with a marking provided for under this act." Moving or removing flags and paint markings will ultimately make you liable for any damage that occurs to that utility, and trust us those can be expensive. Starting at the end of the campaign, all signs must be removed within ten days after the elections. Using a rake, smooth the grade so that the soil lies evenly, then use a tiller to mix the topsoil you set aside in step 4 with the subsoil. Stop mower. Drill 2 inch screws in each board as shown below. Brand Name: C.H. Step 1: Observe water on your site. Workers will visit your property and mark the ground with paint or flags to indicate the location of underground utility wires and pipes. To prevent an interruption of your utility services, please call a customer service specialist at 402-274-4981 immediately to make payment arrangements. Each company is responsible for marking their own underground utility lines on the property with flags and/or temporary paint. Please do not tamper with these utility flags until work is complete. It might just be a simple mistake. The flags show where the existing utilities are, helping MetroNet crews avoid these areas. Positive Response can be checked here or by calling 800-445-3894. Greg Neiss took it upon himself to put American flags on utility . Once flags are moved out of the way, mow over area where flags were. - Ohio Revised Code: 3781.29 (A) If you or someone you've hired is going to install an irrigation system, plant a tree or do anything else that requires digging, be sure to call 811 at least two business days before starting the project. When you get close to the flags, stop the mower. Your yard may be flagged by Kansas One Call before any work is performed. If flags are in your yard, please do not remove them. However, in some cases, where lawn and concrete restoration work must still be completed, the flags should be left in place or will be replaced until that work is entirely completed. Step 1 -- Set the Boundaries. The marks provided by utility operators are your guide for the duration of your project. Utility flags are placed to avoid any disturbances or accidents in the area while work is ongoing, therefore you should not remove utility flags in your yard. If you are facing legal issues that affect your legal and financial interests, directly contact an attorney who can help you. I have lived in my house for 10 years. It is our state law that the flags can not be removed by ANYONE for the duration of the valid mark out. If we want gas, electricity, telephones (the old . They are not permitted within intersections or along commercial driveways, because they may cause traffic hazards. For more information, visit California811. Last month a dozen utility flags appeared on my front lawn, my neighbors front lawn and along our property line. landscaping and lawn care - long-lasting visibility for your project. Utility Flags. 7. The American Public Works Association, non-profit professional association, created a uniform color code for utility companies, both public and private. I wouldn't expect the police to put this on the top of their agenda, however. Survey Markers. Each color of paint/flag represents a unique type of underground utility. If someone put the sign there without permission, it's a good bet that they either did it to piss you off, or they were paid to distribute the things, but could care less about the candidate. 6. Can I remove the MISS DIG flags in my yard? At the end of the call you will be provided a ticket number that will allow you to check the status of your locate request or update your locate request if excavation will take longer than 15 working days. The removal could be reported to the sheriff's office or the city police if the property is in a city. In NJ, that is 10 days. Mine were 14 inches long. This means the easement will usually require a written instrument, delivery, and a valid signature. In an instance where you find a flag installed on your yard and no work is done after 14 days, you can remove the flag. Fertilize your lawn to keep it healthy . If you make a promise to pay your utility bill and do not pay by the agreed upon date, this will be considered a broken promise. In some states, the law stipulates that utility flags have a 30 days duration time without any work going on before they can be removed. Removing survey stakes is a crime per RCW58.04.015. Call. We would advise that you do not remove the markings or flags. For instance, she may place marks at the northeast and southwest corners of a piece of land to . If you do two panels of three boards of fencing then you will need (4) 13's cut to 16.5 inches long. These facility . If you want to know where any utility easements are located on your property, call the utility company. The markings are valid per their rules for 30 days. If a utility can't be identified, a worker will pink flag it. Excavation, according to the law, means anything that moves, removes or displaces earth rock or other material in or on . 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. However, an easement holder doesn't own the land. Always call before . A: After our Consumers Energy team has completed the pipe replacement work in front of your home, the flags can be removed. The transportation commissioner may enter any property and remove any sign that does not conform to these requirements. The short answer is yes, utility companies can dig up your yard and they can do so legally to gain access to pipelines and cables. If the surveyor is trespassing, they are just like any other intruder. Political signs are not allowed private property without the permission of the landowner. Visit lge-ku.com/safety/digging to learn more. Each time you mow, remove no more than 1/3 of the lawn's height. Your campaign signs must be removed with thirty days of the election or the . I am ONLY licensed in the state of Oregon. tel: (253) 845-8895. Remember, you cannot start digging until all utility operators have responded to your request and marked the positions of all . As part of the construction process, Midco or our contractor will call 811 for your address to notify all utility companies serving your area. Then, plan accordingly when you're ready to plant so that there's ample space between the plant and utility line. If a utility does not mark its underground utility facilities or contact the excavator within that time, the utility is deemed to have given notice that it does not have any facilities at the excavation site. Each utility type corresponds to a specific color of paint or a flag - for examples, gas lines are marked with yellow paint or flags. Q: Can I move the flags in my yard? Click to see full answer. If the tree's projected height is 12 feet tall for example, dig your hole at least 12 feet away from the utility flag. Re: Utility Company- Unannounced, Property Damage, Oklahoma. Discussions and advice for anyone looking for an alternative to the boring grassy lawn. During your call you will be asked for your phone number, email address, the . It is possible they will be doing underground boring. Unfortunately, if the neighbor is acting like this, they have no respect for you. Pink is also used to mark mysteries. Since then, I have spent 10-15 minutes on three occasions trying to wade through the website to find a number to call for details. State law ( Wisconsin Statute 182.0175) requires notifying Diggers Hotline before you excavate, grade, trench, dig, drill, augur, tunnel, scrape, plow cable or pipe. Have in mind that you are not allowed to place signs within limited access rights-of-way either. 2 yr. ago Pull them up if you are not having any work done in your landscaping. This means that you can only remove flags 30 days after placing them with no work done. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost and a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch. The markings are regarded as valid for about one month after they are marked since the water-soluble paint can wash off over time. Low-cut or "scalped" lawns invite crabgrass, while a higher cut discourages weed growth. Raise/lower the 24 board until the leveler indicates the board is level. Add a light, 1-inch layer of compost. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. Just press 8-1-1 and follow the instructions. We'll come out and mark the underground lines for free. Your electric power company, for example, usually has an easement to use the portion of your land on which its towers and lines sit. Get answers to commonly asked questions about unburied wire, cable installation, and repairs. Message. With an emphasis on native planting, conservation and pollination. Question: is it my responsibility to remove the flags? The American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Codes for temporary [] If they're marked with a logo and the name of the utility, feel free to give them a call to inquire about their placement . I'm in Ottawa, we bought a house last year (it's from the 70s though) and not until after we moved in did we notice that right behind the shed in our backyard there's a green utility box. . Yes, there are special circumstances that may include: (1) the proper ANSI cut is not a specified distance from the centerline, (2) the trunk of a mature tree is established within rights of way, (3) the tree is inhabited by an endangered species, (4) the tree is a slow-growing species or (5) there is a Department of Transportation encroachment. You need to be assertive, and they won't like it. If you see flags or colored paint on your property and are not sure who requested the markings or why they are there, you can call 811 to find out who submitted the request and what is scheduled or planned in your area. We're here to help. The APWA color code guide can tell you which colors indicate which type of utility. If the ground measures two-inches below the 24 board, you've got a 2% grade! Water the area thoroughly the day before you wish to remove the grass. Once your request is processed, the utility operators will send out their inspectors to come and mark the positions of underground services in your yard.. Owner Rights If so, when can I remove them? Utilities will send out locators who will come and mark the approximate location of buried utilities with paint or flags so that whoever is doing the diffing can avoid them. The flags are placed by utility companies by request when work is being planned in any particular area. MetroNet is legally required to have utilities locate their underground transmission line, such as gas, water, and electric lines prior to construction. Answer (1 of 6): If the sign is on YOUR property, and not on the state or local right-of-way (you know, the 10-20 feet at each side of the road, etc.) A Virginia man who thought he could boost morale during the pandemic was ordered to remove American flags he put on utility poles. 5. Next lay a 13 cut to width of each shutter panel. If flags are in your yard, please do not remove them, they . Use your shovel/spade to cut the outline of a sod pad. You can also make requests by calling 8-1-1 or 800-922-1987.