California § 4216 - As used in this article, the following definitions apply: (a)
Full text of California Public Contract Code - PCC § 4216 — As used in this article, the following definitions apply: (a), with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 4216. As used in this article, the following definitions apply: (a)
As used in this article, the following definitions apply: (a) âActive subsurface installationâ means a subsurface installation currently in use or currently carrying service. (b) âBoardâ means the California Underground Facilities Safe Excavation Board, also known as the âDig Safe Board.â (c) âArea of continual excavationâ means a location where excavation is part of the normal business activities of agricultural operations and flood control facilities. (d) âDelineateâ means to mark in white the location or path of the proposed excavation using the guidelines in Appendix B of the âGuidelines for Excavation Delineationâ published in the most recent version of the Best Practices guide of the Common Ground Alliance. If there is a conflict between the marking practices in those guidelines and other provisions of this article, this article shall control. âDelineationâ also includes physical identification of the area to be excavated using alternative marking methods, including, but not limited to, flags, stakes, whiskers, or a combination of these methods, if an excavator makes a determination that standard delineation may be misleading to those persons using affected streets and highways, or be misinterpreted as a traffic or pedestrian control, and the excavator has contacted the regional notification center to advise the operators that the excavator will physically identify the area to be excavated using alternative marking methods. (e) âElectronic positive responseâ means an electronic response from an operator to the regional notification center providing the status of an operatorâs obligations under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4216.3. (f) (1) âEmergencyâ means a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services. (2) âUnexpected occurrenceâ includes, but is not limited to, a fire, flood, earthquake or other soil or geologic movement, riot, accident, damage to a subsurface installation requiring immediate repair, or sabotage. (g) âExcavationâ means any operation in which earth, rock, or other material in the ground is moved, removed, or otherwise displaced by means of tools, equipment, or explosives in any of the following ways: grading, trenching, digging, ditching, drilling, augering, tunneling, scraping, cable or pipe plowing and driving, or any other way. (h) Except as provided in Section 4216.8, âexcavatorâ means any person, firm, contractor or subcontractor, owner, operator, utility, association, corporation, partnership, business trust, public agency, or other entity that, with their own employees or equipment, performs any excavation. (i) âHand toolâ means a piece of equipment used for excavating that uses human power and is not powered by any motor, engine, hydraulic, or pneumatic device. (j) âHigh priority subsurface installationâ means high-pressure natural gas pipelines with normal operating pressures greater than 415kPA gauge (60psig), petroleum pipelines, pressurized sewage pipelines, high-voltage electric supply lines, conductors, or cables that have a potential to ground of greater than or equal to 60kv, or hazardous materials pipelines that are potentially hazardous to workers or the public if damaged. (k) âInactive subsurface installationâ means either of the following: (1) The portion of an underground subsurface installation that is not active but is still connected to the subsurface installation, or to any other subsurface installation, that is active or still carries service. (2) A new underground subsurface installation that has not been connected to any portion of an existing subsurface installation. (l) âLegal excavation start date and timeâ means two working days, not including the date of notification, unless the excavator specifies a later date and time, which shall not be more than 14 calendar days from the date of notification. For excavation in an area of continual excavation, âlegal excavation start date and timeâ means two working days, not including the date of notification, unless the excavator specifies a later date and time, which shall not be more than six months from the date of notification. (m) âLocal agencyâ means a city, county, city and county, school district, or special district. (n) (1) âLocate and field markâ means to indicate the existence of any owned or maintained subsurface installations by using the guidelines in Appendix B of the âGuidelines for Operator Facility Field Delineationâ published in the most recent version of the Best Practices guide of the Common Ground Alliance and in conformance with the uniform color code of the American Public Works Association. If there is a conflict between the marking practices in the guidelines and this article, this article shall control. (2) âLocate and field markâ does not require an indication of the depth. (o) âOperatorâ means any person, corporation, partnership, business trust, public agency, or other entity that owns, operates, or maintains a subsurface installation. For purposes of Section 4216.1, an âoperatorâ does not include an owner of real property where subsurface installations are exclusively located if they are used exclusively to furnish services on that property and the subsurface facilities are under the operation and control of that owner. (p) âQualified personâ means a person who completes a training program in accordance with the requirements of Section 1509 of Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations Injury and Illness Prevention Program, that meets the minimum locators training guidelines and practices published in the most recent version of the Best Practices guide of the Common Ground Alliance. (q) âRegional notification centerâ means a nonprofit association or other organization of operators of subsurface installations that provides advance warning of excavations or other work close to existing subsurface installations, for the purpose of protecting those installations from damage, removal, relocation, or repair. (r) âState agencyâ means every state agency, department, division, bureau, board, or commission. (s) âSubsurface installationâ means any underground pipeline, conduit, duct, wire, or other structure, except nonpressurized sewerlines, nonpressurized storm drains, or other nonpressurized drain lines. (t) âTicketâ means an excavation location request issued a number by the regional notification center. (u) âTolerance zoneâ means 24 inches on each side of the field marking placed by the operator in one of the following ways: (1) Twenty-four inches from each side of a single marking, assumed to be the centerline of the subsurface installation. (2) Twenty-four inches plus one-half the specified size on each side of a single marking with the size of installation specified. (3) Twenty-four inches from each outside marking that graphically shows the width of the outside surface of the subsurface installation on a horizontal plane. (v) âWorking dayâ for the purposes of determining legal excavation start date and time means a weekday Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except for federal holidays and state holidays, as defined in Section 19853, or as otherwise posted on the internet website of the regional notification center.
Source: official California text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About California § 4216
What does Public Contract Code - PCC § 4216 cover?
Section 4216 ("As used in this article, the following definitions apply: (a)") is part of the Public Contract Code - PCC, the codified statutory law of California. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite California § 4216?
A common citation format is "Public Contract Code - PCC § 4216" (California). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of California law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the California official source linked on this page or consult a licensed California attorney.
How does California § 4216 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in California can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in California.