Retaining Walls: Colorado Springs vs Manitou Springs
How do retaining walls rules compare between Colorado Springs, CO and Manitou Springs, CO?
Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs have similar restriction levels.
Colorado Springs, CO
El Paso County
Colorado Springs allows fences atop retaining walls so long as the fence material alone (excluding the wall) stays within the permitted fence height, and opaque walls and fences visible from a street are limited to 3 feet in the landscape setback.
View full Colorado Springs rules →Manitou Springs, CO
El Paso County
El Paso County requires Pikes Peak Regional Building Department permits for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall). Walls with surcharge loads or taller than 4 feet require engineered plans stamped by a Colorado PE.
View full Manitou Springs rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Colorado Springs | Manitou Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Fence-on-wall measure | Fence material only, excludes retaining wall | - |
| Street-facing opaque wall/fence | 3 ft in landscape setback | - |
| Taller retaining wall | Manager approval + plantings | - |
| Grade alteration | Prohibited to gain height | - |
| Code Section | UDC 7.4.910B.7; 7.6.204B; 7.4.905 | - |
| Exempt Height | - | Up to 4 ft, no surcharge |
| Engineer Required | - | Over 4 ft or with surcharge |
| Authority | - | PPRBD (2021 IRC) |
| Drainage | - | Mandatory backfill/weeps |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Colorado Springs FAQ
Can I put a fence on top of my retaining wall?
Yes. UDC 7.4.910B.7 and 7.6.204B.2 allow it as long as the fence material alone (not counting the retaining wall) stays within the permitted fence height for that location.
How tall can a street-facing wall be?
UDC 7.4.905 limits opaque fences and walls visible from a street to 3 feet above grade in the landscape setback, unless the Manager approves a taller retaining wall for special grading conditions with added plantings.
Can I raise the dirt to make my fence taller?
No. UDC 7.6.204B.3 prohibits altering existing grade to artificially comply with the fence-height regulations.
Manitou Springs FAQ
Who enforces retaining walls rules in El Paso County?
El Paso County's code enforcement division is responsible for fences ordinances. You can report violations or request information through the El Paso County government website or by calling the main municipal line.
What are typical penalties for violating retaining walls rules?
Most El Paso County fences violations start with a written warning followed by escalating civil fines for repeat offenses. Specific dollar amounts and any criminal-misdemeanor exposure depend on the section of code; consult El Paso County's municipal code or staff for the current penalty schedule.
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