How do I move dirt from 150 foot long bar ditch to fence line?

[halliwellc]

City ordinance says a privacy fence can't be over 4 feet tall, but my lawn is low. People walking in the street can see over the fence too easy. Solution is to raise the dirt under the fence. What's the proper tool to scrape a strip of earth out of my existing bar ditch and move it 10 feet to my fence line to create a berm on which I can build a higher fence? I think a berm 2-3 feet tall would be sufficient. What machine do I need, how long would it take, is this a DIY thing, or what would a contractor charge, or what would a moonlighting guy charge? Thanks. Also, please don't be confused by my neighbor's 6 foot fence in the picture...he gets to have 6 feet, I don't, long story.

 

[mitch504]

If by bar ditch you mean the roadside ditch, it would be quick and cheap except that it's probably not worth it. if it was out in the open on a farm somewhere a backhoe or mini-ex could do for the minimum few hundred dollars just to move in, but...

You have buried utilities, overhead utilities, DOT, city engineer, and you've already proven building and zoning or code enforcement is looking at you. If you could gain all those approvals, (which you probably couldn't) you'd have thousands to lawyers and engineers.

You might get away with buying a load or two of dirt for a few hundred dollars and putting your fence on that.

Now you see why I live in the country where my place isn't visible from the road, but the bureaucrats are encroaching more every year.

 

[td25c]

Mitch summed it up well .


Be expensive but if the city would allow you to build a raised terrace out of two rows of landscaping pavers then fill with dirt between them & build fence on top of the terrace . Might look cool ?


http://www.homedepot.com/s/Retaining%20wall%20blocks?NCNI-5

 

[JNB]

I'd stay away from hogging dirt out of the bar ditch. There's a lot more to worry about than just the utiities. Don't forget...that bar ditch has to drain and lowering the elevation may create a nice pond that the city will no doubt hold you accountable for. If you create a berm below the fence, where will the water in your front yard flow?

Just because a DYIer can rent a piece of equipment doesn't mean the project will be performed correctly. For your project, I think you'll be better off consulting and hiring a professional.

Have you considered trying to get the city to go for lattice on top of your 4' fence? It still wouldn't be a "solid" fence but would offer quite a bit more privacy on your side.

 

[CM1995]

For all the reason the others have posted - the dirt in that ditch is the most expensive dirt you'll buy for this project, period.:cool2

Call around and have a couple of loads delivered for the berm, finish your fence and forget about that ditch.

 

[Buckethead]

I agree with everybody, I would stay away from that ditch. Borrowing dirt from there will most likely screw up the drainage. It's pitched in a certain direction to collect the water from the road and keep it moving. Because it's along the road it may be under the control of the town or county anyway, and they won't appreciate you creating a pool of stagnant water that will possibly back up on to the road. And if you put a berm under the fence, is it going to stop positive drainage away from the house? Maybe ask some landscaping contractors in your area for an estimate, they deal with these situations all the time.

 

[old-iron-habit]

That's the great thing about roads. You pay taxes to the center of the road, but have no control or literally no use of the part of your property that is on the right of way.

 

[FSERVICE]

set your post put the fence where you want it then just have a truck load of top soil delivered & install it under the fence just stay away from digging in that right of way.. the code enforcement is not happy with you already by the sound of your first post, no reason to provoke them any farther!!

 

[FRISKY]

^^^ Good advice.

If your property or any uphill neighbor's property drains into the bar ditch you might consider using a few drain pipes under the dirt you have brought in.

 

[Shimmy1]

Not trying to stir the pot but why is everyone assuming he wants to lower the ditch grade to get the dirt? Looks like there is plenty of dirt in the backslope.

 

[JNB]

Not trying to stir the pot but why is everyone assuming he wants to lower the ditch grade to get the dirt? Looks like there is plenty of dirt in the backslope.

No assumption. The OP mentions it in his first post.

 

[Shimmy1]

I guess it does say "out of". Hopefully they will come back and clarify for everyone.

 

[Buckethead]

Not trying to stir the pot but why is everyone assuming he wants to lower the ditch grade to get the dirt? Looks like there is plenty of dirt in the backslope.

Yeah, you're right. Maybe we just misunderstood because he was talking about borrowing it from the ditch.

 

[halliwellc]

Mitch summed it up well .


Be expensive but if the city would allow you to build a raised terrace out of two rows of landscaping pavers then fill with dirt between them & build fence on top of the terrace . Might look cool ?


http://www.homedepot.com/s/Retaining%20wall%20blocks?NCNI-5

This would violate ordinance and would cost more than a pile of dirt.

 

[halliwellc]

I already have good legal advice on this; no permits or engineers are needed. I was looking for advice on the actual moving of dirt.

 

[halliwellc]

Mitch summed it up well .


Be expensive but if the city would allow you to build a raised terrace out of two rows of landscaping pavers then fill with dirt between them & build fence on top of the terrace . Might look cool ?


http://www.homedepot.com/s/Retaining%20wall%20blocks?NCNI-5

The city considers a stack of pavers a fence, so the combined height would violate ordinance.

 

[clintm]

that figures

 

[halliwellc]

Yeah, you're right. Maybe we just misunderstood because he was talking about borrowing it from the ditch.

I intend to take it from the sideslope of the ditch, which would widen it without making it deeper.

 

[halliwellc]

I'd stay away from hogging dirt out of the bar ditch. There's a lot more to worry about than just the utiities. Don't forget...that bar ditch has to drain and lowering the elevation may create a nice pond that the city will no doubt hold you accountable for. If you create a berm below the fence, where will the water in your front yard flow?

Just because a DYIer can rent a piece of equipment doesn't mean the project will be performed correctly. For your project, I think you'll be better off consulting and hiring a professional.

Have you considered trying to get the city to go for lattice on top of your 4' fence? It still wouldn't be a "solid" fence but would offer quite a bit more privacy on your side.

I do not intend to lower the elevation. I intend to take the dirt from the side slope of the ditch, widening it slightly. Regarding lattice, the zoning code does not make exceptions for transparent fences. I am not concerned drainage on the inside of the fence line...just looking for advice on the hands-on use of heavy equipment...heavy equipment forum here...

 

[JNB]

I do not intend to lower the elevation. I intend to take the dirt from the side slope of the ditch, widening it slightly. Regarding lattice, the zoning code does not make exceptions for transparent fences. I am not concerned drainage on the inside of the fence line...just looking for advice on the hands-on use of heavy equipment...heavy equipment forum here...

Removing soil from the side of the ditch is still a modification you can't perform without permission from the city. And not to be rude....but drainage, elevation and worrying about utilities and ton of other things is part of operating. I still suggest consulting a professional on your project.