Before you dig for a deck in Georgetown, check three things, the Texas one call law for post holes, the oak wilt season near your trees and whether your lot sits on the Edwards Aquifer zone.
At a Glance
- Notify the one call center 48 hours ahead
- Avoid wounding oaks February 1 to June 30
- TCEQ rules may apply on aquifer zones
- Post holes count as digging
Every deck, pergola and porch starts with holes in the ground for footings. Here is what Texas rules say about that digging.
Utility Lines and the One Call Law
Under Texas Utilities Code Chapter 251, you must notify a notification center before you dig. The window is no earlier than the 14th day before and no later than the 48th hour before you start. Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays do not count in those 48 hours.
The law counts digging as soil disturbed 16 inches or deeper with powered or mechanized equipment. Deck footings often go that deep, so we make the call before every job.
Oak Trees and Oak Wilt
Georgetown has a lot of live oaks. Oak wilt is a disease that can kill them. The Texas Oak Wilt Partnership says to avoid pruning or wounding oaks from February 1 through June 30. Their list of wounds includes damage from construction.
So if your deck goes near oaks, we plan the work for the second half of the year when we can. We also keep footings and equipment off big roots, and we avoid cutting branches during the risky months.
The Edwards Aquifer
Parts of Williamson County sit on the Edwards Aquifer recharge and contributing zones. TCEQ says construction at private homes on those zones is covered by its Edwards Aquifer rules in 30 TAC Chapter 213. Williamson County is in its Austin region. Check the TCEQ page to see if your lot is in a zone.
How We Put It Together
- Measure and mark the deck with string and paint.
- Make the one call notice inside the legal window.
- Look at the trees and the calendar.
- Check the aquifer map for your lot.
- Send the permit with the survey, drawings and impervious cover math.
Questions About Before You Dig
Do deck post holes count as digging under Texas law?
Texas law counts digging 16 inches or deeper with powered equipment as excavation. Many post holes go that deep. Read Utilities Code Chapter 251.
How early do you call before digging?
The law says to notify the one call center no sooner than 14 days and no later than 48 hours before digging. Weekends and legal holidays do not count in those 48 hours.
Is my lot on the Edwards Aquifer zone?
Some Williamson County lots are. TCEQ covers construction at homes on the recharge and contributing zones. Check the TCEQ private residence page for your lot.