Akron, OH Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Railing height
- 3 ft 6 in with intermediate rail
- Notice to neighbor
- 7 days' written notice required
- Excavation depth trigger
- Adjoining owner reinforces up to 9 ft
- Permit plans
- Engineered wall design required in application
- Governing sections
- Akron Code §§192.101, 192.102, 192.111
Summary
Akron requires a retaining wall wherever an excavation, fill, or grade change would otherwise endanger an adjoining lot, under §§ 192.101 and 192.102 of the Building Code. A wall built to support a permanent excavation must reach the established grade and carry a coping with a railing at least three feet six inches high. Permit applications for grading or excavating must include an engineered design for any retaining wall involved.
G.Retaining Walls. When a permanent excavation is made on any lot, the person causing such excavation to be made shall build a retaining wall, where required, to give lateral support to the earth, and such retaining wall shall be carried to the height of the established grade, and be properly protected by a coping and a substantial railing three feet six inches high with not less than one intermediate rail... 7.Where retaining walls or other structures are to be used to assist in the support of cuts and fills, a design of such walls or structures shall be included in the plans.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64).
Full Breakdown
Akron treats retaining walls as part of its excavation and grading rules in Chapter 192. 101 puts the cost of a retaining wall on whoever changes the grade: an owner who fills a lot above the established street grade, or grades it below that grade, must 'at his own expense, build such retaining walls as may be required to properly protect all adjoining property from damage,' after giving the adjoining owner seven days' written notice. 102 governs walls tied to excavation: when an excavation goes nine feet or less below grade, the adjoining owner must reinforce and support any affected wall or structure; below nine feet, the person doing the excavating bears that cost instead.
111(C) but not the underlying wall itself once the Division determines one is required. 104 lets the Superintendent step in, do the work, and bill the owner for labor and materials.
Violations & Fines
Failing to build a required retaining wall, or refusing to allow entry to reinforce an adjoining structure after the seven-day notice under § 192.101, exposes the responsible owner to a building code violation under § 199.999. The Superintendent can levy administrative fines up to $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third, on top of possible misdemeanor charges of up to $500 and sixty days in jail, and can recover the cost of any emergency work performed under § 192.104.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Akron
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