San Bernardino vs Victorville
How do retaining walls rules compare between San Bernardino, CA and Victorville, CA?
San Bernardino and Victorville have similar restriction levels.
San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
Retaining walls over four feet from the bottom of the footing, or any wall supporting a surcharge, require a building permit and engineered plans under the California Building Code.
View full San Bernardino rules →Victorville, CA
San Bernardino County
Retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing require a building permit with engineered plans in Victorville. Lower walls need no permit but must meet setback and drainage rules.
View full Victorville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Bernardino | Victorville |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Threshold | Over 4 feet or with surcharge | Over 4 ft or surcharge |
| Engineer | Licensed CA engineer stamp | CA licensed plans required |
| Seismic Concern | Near San Andreas and San Jacinto faults | - |
| Building and Safety | 909-384-5065 | - |
| Measure | - | Bottom of footing to top |
| Drainage | - | Weep holes and backfill |
| Combined Height | - | Wall plus fence counts |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Bernardino FAQ
Do I need an engineer for a three-foot wall?
Generally no if it is less than four feet from the footing and carries no surcharge; taller or loaded walls require engineered plans.
What is a surcharge?
Any load above the wall such as a sloped yard, driveway, or structure that adds pressure; walls with a surcharge need a permit regardless of height.
Victorville FAQ
Do I need a permit for a 3-foot retaining wall?
Not if it is under 4 feet and has no surcharge. Anything over 4 feet or supporting a driveway or slope requires engineered permit plans.
Does a fence on a wall count toward height?
Yes. The combined height of the retaining wall plus the fence on top is used to determine Development Code fence-height compliance.
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