Utility Members
Utility Members
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Notification Area Requirements


Released: 10/28/25

Effective: 10/28/25

DigAlert’s® Mapping System processes shapefiles only & has a mapping system with Geographic Coordinate System NAD83. Therefore, all files that are submitted to the Member Services portal will be transformed into a shapefile & may be reprojected to NAD83 before importing.

Shapefile Format to include

  • .DBF (database)

  • .PRJ (projection)

  • .SHP (shapes)

  • .SHX (index)

Requirements for Notification Area

  • Notification Areas can be polygons, lines or points.

  • Polygons are pre-buffered and imported without additional buffering (must be a minimum of a 50ft buffer).

  • Line and point shape files will be buffered by a specific number of feet, which you must specify upon submission (must be a minimum of 50ft).

  • Must contain valid data and have correct data for their type (lines must contain at least two points, polygons must have at three points, etc.)

  • Must be of the actual underground facilities and not grids

Notification Area Submission

  • Must be named with your member code

  • Must be a FULL REPLACEMENT only, NO additions or deleted will be processed. A complete replacement MUST be submitted each time.

Notification Area Import/Activation Dates

Please be advised that the date and time activation question on the notification area submission form is provided as a courtesy and may be modified if issues arise with the submission, if additional follow-up is required or if file was submitted outside of business hours.

Notification Area file types

If you wish to submit another file type, other than a shapefile, for your notification area or have other questions regarding your notification area, please contact Emily (GIS Technician) by visiting the Member Help Center .

Upload the shape files

Uploading member notification areas has changed. In order to provide better service and security, members are now required to submit their notification area uploads through our new Member Services Help Center that does require an account. You can sign up for an account or login if you already have one by visiting the Member Help Center .