In the United States, you generally need a permit to dig trenches that are 5 feet deeper. One of the reasons you cannot dig a trench or a hole of more than 5 feet in the backyard is that the hole may start endangering the digger or neighbors' lives.Feb 21, 2021
How far down is safe to dig?
OSHA and CGA provide health and safety guidelines for digging trenches, holes and excavations. State building codes recommend digging 18 to 24 inches (457mm to 610mm) from the utility and its marking to avoid damage to the utility line.Apr 29, 2020