Retaining Walls: Bakersfield vs Ridgecrest
How do retaining walls rules compare between Bakersfield, CA and Ridgecrest, CA?
Ridgecrest has fewer restrictions than Bakersfield.
Bakersfield, CA
Kern County
Bakersfield requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and for any retaining wall supporting a surcharge (such as a driveway, pool, or structure) regardless of height. Engineered plans stamped by a California-licensed civil or structural engineer are required for walls over 4 feet. Walls within property setbacks and near slopes have additional requirements.
View full Bakersfield rules →Ridgecrest, CA
Kern County
In unincorporated Kern County, a retaining wall needs a building permit if it is over 4 feet tall measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or if it supports a surcharge or impounds Class I, II, or III-A liquids at any height. The retaining portion of a wall does not count toward the county's zoning height limits for fences and walls.
View full Ridgecrest rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bakersfield | Ridgecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Trigger | Over 4 feet or any surcharge | - |
| Engineering | Required for walls over 4 feet | - |
| Measurement | Bottom of footing to top of wall | - |
| Drainage | Required behind all walls | - |
| Authority | Development Services, (661) 326-3733 | - |
| Permit threshold | - | Over 4 ft measured from bottom of footing to top of wall (KCC Section 17.08.060, amending CBC 105.2) |
| Always needs a permit | - | Any wall supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids |
| Property-line walls | - | Walls retaining soils within a 2:1 slope of the lowest finished grade at the property line must be 6-inch minimum masonry or concrete |
| Zoning height measurement | - | Retaining portion of a wall not counted toward fence/wall height limits (KCZO Section 19.08.210(C)) |
| Where to apply | - | Kern County Public Works Building and Development; Accela online permitting (accela.kerncounty.com) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bakersfield FAQ
Do I need a permit for a 3-foot retaining wall?
Usually no, if the wall is 4 feet or less measured from the bottom of the footing and does not support a surcharge like a driveway or pool. It must still meet property setbacks. Check with Development Services if there's any surcharge.
Does my retaining wall need engineered plans?
Yes if it exceeds 4 feet in height or supports any load. Bakersfield requires stamped plans from a California-licensed civil or structural engineer, along with drainage provisions, for walls over 4 feet.
Ridgecrest FAQ
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in unincorporated Kern County?
Not if the wall is 4 feet or less measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, does not support a surcharge, and does not impound Class I, II, or III-A liquids. Anything taller, or any wall carrying a surcharge such as sloped backfill or a structure above it, requires a building permit from Kern County Public Works (Kern County Ordinance Code Section 17.08.060).
How is the 4-foot retaining wall height measured in Kern County?
From the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, not from the finished grade. A wall that looks 3 feet tall above grade can still require a permit if the footing depth pushes the total over 4 feet.
Does a retaining wall count against Kern County's 6-foot fence height limit?
No. Kern County Zoning Ordinance Section 19.08.210(C) measures fence and wall height from the finished interior grade, and the portion of a wall or fence functioning as a retaining wall is not counted in determining overall fence or wall height. A fence built on top of a retaining wall is measured from the interior grade, not from the bottom of the retaining wall.
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