can i remove utility flags in my yard

The red flag utility marking is probably one of the most important ones that should be tampered with for any reason. They are provided for informational purposes only. Typically they will replace the pole in the exact same location of the existing pole, or within a few feet, but regardless they always seem to call in way more than they need. This will result in everyday inconveniences that can affect not only you but also other people in the community. I've yet to . Is a PhD visitor considered as a visiting scholar? According to the Pennsylvania Underground Utility Line Protection Act (Act 287): Part of their maintenance program is to mark their lines whenever someone places a "notice" or "ticket" with the Virginia 811 center. The state requires utility companies and their subcontractors to locate and mark where underground lines are buried. How do I get utility lines marked on my property? 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 . The first one is that there will be an excavation project planned in the spot where the flags are. There are a few important reasons why there are flags on your lawn. Choose wisely! A: Yes, and it doesn't matter how deep you are digging. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? (We Checked), Can You Demo a House With a Mortgage? Besides owning and operating a landscaping company, I work for the local power company in NJ. Unfortunately yes, they can. Mow around them for two weeks then they come out. You still get to retain the title and you are the owner but someone who owns easement to your property has the right to use your property. Doing so is illegal and you could pay a fine. Legal Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and shouldnotbe interpreted aslegal advice or acted upon as such. rev2023.3.3.43278. If you see plenty of white flags wrapped around an area, that should give you an idea of how big the project is. Generally, flags should not be taken off. Keep in mind that even if you have not given any approval, utility companies can dig in your yard because of easements. (Quick Answer), Will a Porch Light Keep Raccoons Away? Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. A utility company can dig in your yard without permission. Can I remove utility flags in my yard? The operator should be able to provide the name of the company or individual who requested the dig and their contact information. Placing orange flags means companies should be careful about digging this area, especially when people are expecting a big game on TV. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. (We Checked)Continue, Deciding to demolish a house may save you from some expensive renovations that seem too much to take on, Read More Can You Demo a House With a Mortgage? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. A pink utility flag indicates there is a temporary survey marking going on in the area. As you spot those flags, you may not be sure what to do or what they mean. Utility flags have been in use for as long as they can be remembered. 3. Avoid digging near buried utilities if possible. But this authority only takes place after the initial need for the flags is completed. Known as "locate flags," the person who called for their placement is responsible for removing them when the job is complete. These utility contractors are also responsible for removing locate flags and any other utility flags installed when necessary. When they dig the holes do their work and leave. Yard Blogger is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. (Roofing Ideas & Options), and they can do so legally to gain access to pipelines and cables. That way, contractors will not dig it up. Once mower is stopped, walk over and move the flags out of the way. Viewed 4k times. If you remove the flags before the plans are set in place, it could screw up the plans and the project as a whole. Usually, this involves potable water. Having a decent security system like a Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras (both on Amazon) is a smart thing to do. "The contractor needs to know the location of the lines in the area in which they are digging in order to stay . The standard utility service paint or flags colors are: Red: Electric; Orange . The color codes are as follows: Proposed excavation will be marked in white, power lines will mark in red, gas lines will mark in yellow, all communication lines will mark in orange, water marks in blue, sewer marks in green and Purple is for Reclaimed Water, Irrigation and Slurry Lines. You can speak with the operator at 811 and ask for the details about the project in your area. But just because there are flags on your lawn it doesnt always mean the utility company is going to start digging up your yard. They can also serve as safety flags to alert passersby to hazardous areas. I deal with the stupid flags all the time. In certain cases, temporary repairs will be made to avoid disruption in your mail delivery. Power, telephone, gas, and water lines are buried underground, likely on your property. You also need to prove that they have failed to repair the damages or provide compensation. While tempting, you should never remove these flags, as doing so can cause serious damage that you may be responsible for. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. How can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to undertake cannot be performed by the team? So what does this rainbow of marking flags in your yard mean? When your installation is underground a crew chosen by your fiber provider will dig a small trench on your property to bury the line that comes from the street. Utility Flag Color Code. The red flag comes with a bulb symbol in it. Question: is it my responsibility to remove the flags? I'm assuming my neighbor needed to dig and had the lines flagged. Removing Utility Flags. 1 Madison in playoff rematch, Police: Mans car shot at as he sat in driveway in far west Denton, Purple-and-Gold powerlifters to compete at regionals, Tornado damage surveys for 3/2 and 3/3/2023. Utility lines are a matter of public or state-owned facilities that are meant to serve the public. Use Marking Flags for Safety and Many Other Purposes Marking flags offer a way to clearly identify underground electric lines or mark construction borders. In most states, it is illegal to tamper with any underground utility markings that were placed in accordance with your states Call 811 dig laws. Give the utility flag company a call first to inquire about their presence, and whether or not its safe to remove them. The colors are as follows are noted in this handy chart. But the fact is, utility companies often do just that. Seeing the utility flag means some utility work is about to be done in the area. i will normally leave the flags for 1 to 2 visits, if they are still there after 2 weeks i pick them up. To put it simply, an easement gives a company or individuals the right to legally use a landowners property for a specific purpose. But, they will almost certainly remove the flags upon work completion. For this, a professional may be called upon to handle it. (Yes. Having a decent security system like a Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras (both on Amazon) is a smart thing to do. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. At the same time, the flags on private property would be removed by the property owners. For more information, visit California811. We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Mailboxes come in all shapes and, Read More Can a Mailbox Be Any Color? The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? Have you ever wondered about orange flags? If youre asking, what color will CATV flags in my yard or at&T flags in my yard be, then the answer is orange. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Am I allowed to mow my yard? 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. In general, you should not remove utility flags in your yard. The most common reason for utility flags in a yard is to mark the location of underground utility lines. Norm of an integral operator involving linear and exponential terms, Styling contours by colour and by line thickness in QGIS. Damages to your property resulting from negligence or accidents is inevitable, especially when a utility company digs in your yard. How to show that an expression of a finite type must be one of the finitely many possible values? The flag colors come in the uniform color code for general designation and use. This can include water, gas, electricity, and cable lines. 175. Have you talked to your neighbor to make sure they've had the work done already? If you have future plans to modify your yard or any area in your property, then you need to learn more about the easement. Can I Remove Utility Flags In My Yard: Is this Illegal? How are we as lawn people supposed to know how long the flags have been there?? If the tree's projected height is 12 feet tall for example, dig your hole at least 12 feet away from the utility flag. The only person who should be removing them is the one responsible for the placement of the flags. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Once you do, find out where and how you can file a complaint. 1. Seeing colorful flags in your yard can be surprising and maybe at times, frustrating, especially if you like to maintain a beautiful, pristine yard. It will be about 2 weeks before I can get the landscaping work done. You may be wondering at this point: Can a utility company dig in my yard without permission? 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? Low around 50F. At the same time, you have to know where you should stand and when to comply to avoid embarrassing situations, such as calling the police for no valid reason.