Residential Retaining Wall Permit & Inspection Process
A permit application for a retaining wall installed on the private property line must include a letter of approval from the adjacent property owner. A separate permit will be needed for any segment of the retaining wall crossing a lot line. Occasionally, lot conditions require approvals from other agencies such as easement holders, or homeowner associations. Any Retaining Wall installed within the County right of way will not be permitted and will be required to be removed. A retaining wall is considered an accessory structure if it exceeds the height of 6' - 6.”
Retaining walls with a design wall height of over 7’-0” shall also meet the submittal criteria for Montgomery County Special Inspection Program.
Definitions:
SURCHARGE: The vertical load imposed on retained soil that may impose a lateral force in addition to lateral earth pressure of retained soil. For example: Sloping retained soil; structure footings supported by the retained soil; adjacent vehicle loads supported by retained soil.
TIERED RETAINING WALL SYSTEM: A series of two or more stacked walls, each higher wall set back from the underlying wall.
Guidelines for Residential Retaining Walls Four Feet in Height or Less 🆕
Commercial Retaining Wall Permit Submittal Requirements
Special Inspections Program Manual
Statement of Special Inspections
A permit is required to construct a retaining wall if the retained height is over 3 feet (36”) or it will be supporting any surcharge load, crosses a lot line, located in problem soils, or part of a tiered retaining wall system. Section R404 of the 2018 IRC requires Retaining Walls over 4 feet (48") in retained height or over 36 inches in retained height that resist a surcharge, shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice to ensure stability against overturning, sliding, excessive foundation pressure and water uplift
Retaining walls shall be designed for a safety factor of 1.5 against lateral sliding and overturning.
Measurement of Height: Wall height is measured from the lowest level of the grade abutting a wall.
Height and Placement: The maximum height of a retaining wall or wall is 6' 6". Except as follows:
- A wall must not be located within any required drainage, utility or similar easement, unless approved by the agency with jurisdiction over the easement.
- A retaining wall where changes in street grade, width, or alignment have made such structures necessary;
- Any other wall or retaining Wall that is 6.5 feet or less in height and is not on a property abutting a national historic park;
Applications for eligible projects will be taken in and reviewed through the intermediate track process. Other applications will be taken in and reviewed through the regular review process that may take up to 17 days.
Multiple walls or complex applications will be taken in for the regular review process. Regular review track may take up to 17 days.
Please refer to our fee schedule for information about fees associated with this permit application type.
Homeowners may apply for a Retaining Wall permit in their own name; however, if a contractor is to perform the work, DPS strongly suggests that the contractor be listed on the permit as the party responsible for the work. A contractor must have a Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) license to obtain a permit.
Any dispute as to whether a retaining wall has extended into a neighbor’s property or questions about the location of property lines is a legal matter to be resolved by the property owners.
Please see our list of required inspections associated with this permit application type.