Aurora requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet tall (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) or any wall supporting a surcharge. Engineered drawings are required for walls over 4 feet.
Under the International Residential Code as adopted by Aurora, retaining walls that exceed 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge (driveway, pool, slope loading), require a building permit and stamped engineered drawings from a Colorado-licensed engineer. Walls under 4 feet without surcharge generally do not need a permit but must still comply with UDO setback, drainage, and sight-distance rules. Tiered walls with less than 2 times the wall height between them may be evaluated as a single wall. Proper drainage (weep holes, drain rock backfill, geogrid reinforcement where needed) is required. Walls cannot redirect stormwater onto adjacent properties.
Unpermitted tall retaining walls can be ordered removed or re-engineered. Drainage that damages neighbors can create civil liability in addition to code violations.
Aurora, CO
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Aurora, CO
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Aurora, CO
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Aurora, CO
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Aurora, CO
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