Excavation permits and rules in Louisiana

Anyone digging in Louisiana has to notify Louisiana 811 before work starts. Call 811 at least 48 hours, and no more than 120 hours, before digging, not counting weekends and holidays.^1-2

Text of the law

The notice period under La. Rev. Stat. 40:1749.11 to 40:1749.27 (Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law): at least forty-eight hours, but not more than one hundred twenty hours, excluding weekends and holidays, in advance of the commencement of any excavation or demolition activity.^1-2

Louisiana licenses contractors through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. A license is needed for commercial jobs of $50,000 or more, counting labor and materials, and for home construction over $50,000. Earthwork, drainage and levees, a subclassification of highway, street and bridge construction, covers excavation, grading, trenching and land clearing.^3-4

Text of the law

$50,000 or more (including labor and materials) for commercial projects; residential construction exceeding $50,000.^3-4

A stormwater permit is needed at 1 acre, or less if part of a larger common plan of development or sale. Coverage is under the LPDES small construction general permit LAR200000 (1 to under 5 acres) and large construction general permit LAR100000 (5 acres or more).⁵