According to Scott Maben at Spokane’s Spokesman Review, penalties for buried utilities will be rising from $1000 for an initial violation to $5000!

Digging up buried utility lines may give you the shock of a lifetime. But it will zap your wallet as well.

Anyone who fails to use Washington’s free “Call Before You Dig” service and who unearths gas or electric lines faces stiffer penalties this year.

As homeowners, landscapers and excavators get busy outdoors each spring, utilities and state regulators ramp up their reminders to call 811 at least two business days before digging. It’s required by state law and is intended to prevent injuries, property damage and outages.

Read the rest of Scott’s article.

Remember, real estate law isn’t just about property lines and title disputes.  If you’ve got questions about any kind of property law give us a call.