Retaining Walls: Corona vs Palm Springs

Retaining walls in Corona over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) require a building permit. Walls supporting any surcharge load — sloped soil, driveways, pools, or structures — require permits and engineered design at any height. Hillside areas have additional requirements for terracing and drainage.

Palm Springs requires a building permit and engineered plans for any retaining wall over 4 feet in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) or for any wall supporting a surcharge such as a driveway, pool, or structure. Hillside properties on the Mesa, Araby Cove, and Southridge face additional geotechnical and slope-stability review.