Who do I contact?
Ontario Dig Authority. In its own words: Ontario One Call is now operating as Ontario Dig Authority.
It describes the service as It's Free. It's Easy. It's the Law.
(Ontario Dig Authority, read November 5, 2026) It does not mark anything itself: it passes the request to every owner of buried lines in the area, and each one sends a locator.
How far ahead?
At least 5 business days. Ontario Dig Authority's steps: At least 5 business days before you dig, submit a locate request.
Then each utility marks its lines, and you dig respecting the marks and the locator's instructions. If the project changes, You MUST request a new locate if your project changes.
(Ontario Dig Authority, read November 5, 2026)
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Request | At least 5 business days ahead, online or by phone; it notifies every owner of buried lines |
| 2. Locates | Each utility sends a locator to mark its lines with paint, flags or stakes, free |
| 3. Dig | Respect the marks and the locator's instructions; a changed project needs a new request |
Does a small job need one?
Yes. Locates are required for any project that breaks ground, no matter the size or depth of the excavation.
(Ontario Dig Authority, read November 5, 2026) Deck footings, fence posts, a porch, a garage slab and the footings of an addition all break ground. The free public locates cover the utilities' lines; lines you own yourself, like a feed to a detached garage, are not theirs to mark.
Where does this fit in a build?
Before the footings, which is also the first inspection the City makes on most permits: the City's footing inspection comes Prior to pouring footings
(City of Hamilton, Building Inspections, read November 5, 2026). The order is: permit issued, locates done, footings dug, footing inspection, pour. The stages that follow are in the inspections on a build. On a JDT Construction Inc. job the locate request is part of getting the site ready, for decks, covered porches, garages and additions alike.