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Do you need a permit for a retaining wall?

Permits for retaining walls are set locally: the city or county building department decides, under the code it has adopted. Below are the official rules and fees we verified, in each department's own words.

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On this page
  1. What the model code exempts (IRC R105.2)
  2. What cities charge for a retaining wall permit
  3. Before you start
  4. Sources

What the model code exempts (IRC R105.2)

The International Residential Code (IRC) is a model code. It is law only where a state or city adopts it, usually with changes, so the wording below shows how the model reads in published government copies, not the rule where you live.

  • 4. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.1 As published by Bluffdale, UT.
  • 3. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.2 As published by Warner, NH (2015 IRC).
  • 3. Retaining walls that are not higher than 3 feet (914 mm) measured from finished grade at the bottom of the wall to finished grade at the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.3 As published by Connecticut (statewide) (2022 CSBC amendments to the 2021 IRC).

What cities charge for a retaining wall permit

Fee lines as each city’s schedule states them, never added up into a total; how permit fees work explains valuation formulas and minimums.

CityFeeAs the schedule states it
Charlotte, NCCity of Charlotte - Stormwater Services Review: Additions, Deck, Pool, Retaining Wall, Shed, Detached Structure$554
Oklahoma City, OKFence permit, each (fence and retaining walls over 12" tall)Permit, each (fence and retaining walls over 12" tall) · $22.00 · $25.00 · 60-19-65
El Paso, TXBuilding Permits: building/retaining walls$115 plus applicable technology fee6
Memphis, TNPool or retaining wallPOOL OR RETAINING WALL $5.00/1,000 (NO MAX) $70.00 MIN7
Baltimore, MDRetaining walls$10 for each 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) or fraction of 100 square feet (9.29 sq. m.) of area above footing.8
Tucson, AZMasonry Walls$16.85 + $33.70 per 500 square feet of surface area + plan review fee at standard hourly rate, minimum ½ hour9
Fresno, CARetaining Wall (concrete or masonry), first 50 lfFirst 50 lf 238.02 192.9210
Tulsa, OKZoning clearance permit fee, residential (Section 303.G)$75.5011
Tampa, FLPrivacy/Retaining Wall (residential)Privacy/Retaining Wall $ 475.00 $ 589.0012
Arlington, TXResidential: Retaining WallRetaining Wall Based on Valuation - Table 113

Before you start

Find your city’s retaining wall rule with the permit checker. What to check before you buy materials (city limits, limits in the rule, zoning and HOA rules) and the order of the steps are in how to get a building permit; what an exemption does not cover is in work exempt from a permit.

Sources

  1. Exempt from permit 2023City of Bluffdale, UT, Building DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
  2. Work Exempt from Permits, 2015 IRCTown of Warner, NHChecked November 7, 2026
  3. 2022 Connecticut State Building Code (w/ Errata #1)State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services, Office of the State Building InspectorEffective October 1, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
  4. FY 2027 Individual Residential Lot Fee Schedule (PDF)City of Charlotte, CLT Development Center (Planning, Design & Development)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  5. Development Services Fee Changes (Fees Changing July 1, 2025)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterEffective July 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
  6. City of El Paso FY2026-2027 Adopted Budget, FY 2027 Schedule C Departmental Fee ListCity of El Paso, Office of Management & BudgetAdopted August 18, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  7. 2022 Fee Schedule, Building Section FeesMemphis and Shelby County Office of Construction Code EnforcementPublished 2022Checked November 8, 2026
  8. Section 109. Fees (Building Code)City of Baltimore Law Library (Department of Legislative Reference)Checked November 7, 2026
  9. Planning and Permitting Fee Schedule (Adopted Year 1 Fee Schedule, FY27)City of Tucson, Planning & Development Services Department (PDSD)Effective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  10. City of Fresno Master Fee Schedule - Planning & Development Fees (effective 07/01/2026)City of Fresno, Planning and Development DepartmentEffective July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
  11. Ordinance amending Title 49, Tulsa Revised Ordinances (council item 24-608, as submitted)City of Tulsa, Tulsa City CouncilPublished May 16, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  12. Miscellaneous Projects Permit Fee ScheduleCity of Tampa, Development & Growth Management Department, Construction Services DivisionLast updated May 31, 2020Checked November 7, 2026
  13. City of Arlington Planning and Development Services Fee Schedule, Effective October 1, 2026 (Resolution No. 26-288)City of Arlington, Planning & Development ServicesEffective October 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026