Retaining Walls: Long Beach vs Santa Monica
How do retaining walls rules compare between Long Beach, CA and Santa Monica, CA?
Long Beach and Santa Monica have similar restriction levels.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Retaining walls under 2 ft require no permit in Long Beach. Walls up to 4 ft are exempt unless supporting surcharge or sloping earth. Walls over 4 ft require a building permit and engineered drawings.
View full Long Beach rules →Santa Monica, CA
Los Angeles County
Retaining walls in Santa Monica over 4 ft in Seismic Design Category D, E, or F cannot be constructed of wood. Fence height on top of retaining walls is measured from lowest grade within 3-ft radius. Engineering required for significant walls.
View full Santa Monica rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Long Beach | Santa Monica |
|---|---|---|
| No Permit | Under 2 ft | - |
| Exempt Up To | 4 ft (with conditions) | - |
| Permit Required | Over 4 ft | - |
| Engineering | Required for over 4 ft | Required for significant walls |
| Wood Prohibited | - | SDC D/E/F over 4 ft |
| Height Measurement | - | From lowest grade within 3 ft |
| Seismic | - | AWPA U1 treatment required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Long Beach FAQ
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
In Long Beach, walls over 4 feet typically require a building permit and engineered plans. Shorter walls may be exempt.
How close to the property line can I build a retaining wall?
Setback requirements vary. Check Long Beach zoning code for specific distances from property lines.
Santa Monica FAQ
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
In Santa Monica, walls over 4 feet typically require a building permit and engineered plans. Shorter walls may be exempt.
How close to the property line can I build a retaining wall?
Setback requirements vary. Check Santa Monica zoning code for specific distances from property lines.
Compare other topics
See how Long Beach and Santa Monica compare on other ordinance categories.
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