Retaining Walls: Arlington Heights vs Orland Park
How do retaining walls rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Orland Park, IL?
Arlington Heights and Orland Park have similar restriction levels.
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
Arlington Heights requires permits for retaining walls above a certain height. Walls over 4 feet typically require engineered plans. Retaining walls must be designed to handle drainage and soil loads without affecting neighboring properties.
View full Arlington Heights rules →Orland Park, IL
Cook County
Orland Park requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from base footing). Walls over 4 feet require engineered drawings stamped by a licensed Illinois structural engineer.
View full Orland Park rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Required | Walls over 4 feet | - |
| Engineering | Required for walls over 4 feet | - |
| Drainage | Must be included in design | - |
| Inspection | Required before backfilling | - |
| Contact | Community Dev (847) 368-5200 | Building (708) 403-6200 |
| Permit Threshold | - | Most walls require permit |
| Engineering Required | - | Walls over 4 ft or w/ surcharge |
| Guard Rail | - | Often required if 30+ in drop |
| JULIE Locate | - | Required (call 811) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Arlington Heights?
Yes, if the wall exceeds 4 feet in height from the footing to the top. Walls supporting surcharge loads may also need permits regardless of height.
Do I need an engineer for a retaining wall?
Walls over 4 feet require structural plans stamped by a licensed Illinois professional engineer. Shorter walls with surcharge loads may also need engineering.
What about drainage behind the retaining wall?
All retaining walls must include proper drainage such as weep holes or drain tile to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup and must not redirect water onto neighboring properties.
Orland Park FAQ
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Orland Park?
Yes for most walls. Walls over 4 feet or supporting a slope/structure require engineered plans and a full permit.
Who can design a tall retaining wall in Orland Park?
Walls over 4 feet or with surcharge require drawings stamped by a licensed Illinois structural or professional engineer.
Do I need a railing on top of my retaining wall?
If the drop on the high side exceeds 30 inches and the wall is in a walking area, a guard rail is typically required by the building code.
Compare other topics
See how Arlington Heights and Orland Park compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool