Baldwin Park, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Retaining walls in Baldwin Park are governed by the city's own zoning code at Section 153.130.060(D) and by the Building and Safety Division for structural permits. Under subsection (D), a retaining wall containing fill must comply with the general fence and wall height requirements (3 feet front yard, 6 feet side/rear in residential zones), except that the height of the wall used to retain the fill shall not contribute to the height of the wall. However, the overall height of the wall, including the retaining portion, shall not exceed 10 feet. In practice this means the freestanding fence or guardrail portion atop a retaining wall is measured against the normal limits, while the buried/retaining portion is excluded - but the total assembly is capped at 10 feet. Separately, the city's Fence and Wall handout confirms that a building permit is required for retaining walls over 3 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Walls retaining surcharge or built to greater heights require engineered plans reviewed by Building and Safety, applying the California Building Code adopted in Chapter 150. Contact Building and Safety at (626) 813-5265.