Help please! I have no idea what this means?

or how to read a property survey! My community handbook says I need to consult my property survey to determine setback lines (is this the same as the property lines marked out by the wooden stakes planted around the lot?) and that "fencing may NOT be erected on bermed areas of lots. i.e. no fence shall extend any higher on a berm than the 'toe' (base) of the berm". WTH? What is a berm? I am so confused!

Help please! I have no idea what this means?
A berm is a small usually long artificial hill. When house is built on a lot, the lot should be graded so that that the land slopes away from the house on all sides. The soil that is dug out is sometimes placed at the edge of a lot forming a hill if it is not actually removed from the site. Sometimes a berm is used to prevent or limit rainwater from running over a lot. If a fence is placed on top of a berm, the effective height would be obtrusive. A six foot fence on a three foot berm would be nine feet and therefore more than the neighborhood wants to see. They are saying that the fence should be put in the lower elevation part of the lot. Setback lines are the maximum line where the building can extend. Outside the setback lines are prohibited to build on.
Reply:A berm is a strip of ground along a dike or a narrow shelf, path, or ledge typically at the top or bottom of a slope or a mound or wall of earth used in landscaping.


It is important not to disturb this berm especially on a hillside as you have to consider water runoff. The stakes around the property should indicate your property line.


If you go to a lumber yard and explain your project they should be able to assist you.
Reply:the term set back relates to the townships law as to Howe close to you property line you can build,if the survey says 10foot set back that means you have to be 10 feet away from your property line with any structures.the berm is a mound of dirt like a dike along a river,can be 1foot to 100feet.they don't want you to put fencing on top of a berm, i would check on that with the local authority's.hope this helped you
Reply:Yes, the wooden stakes planted around your lot are most likely the boundary indicators. They may be painted white and have numbers on them. You should find one at each corner of your lot.