Retaining Walls: Delano vs Ridgecrest
How do retaining walls rules compare between Delano, CA and Ridgecrest, CA?
Delano and Ridgecrest have similar restriction levels.
Delano, 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 Delano 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 | Delano | Ridgecrest |
|---|---|---|
| Permit threshold | Over 4 ft measured from bottom of footing to top of wall (KCC Section 17.08.060, amending CBC 105.2) | 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 | 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 | 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)) | 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) | Kern County Public Works Building and Development; Accela online permitting (accela.kerncounty.com) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Delano 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.
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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