Bellevue requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing; walls in critical areas need geotechnical review regardless of height.
Bellevue Building Code (based on IRC with local amendments) requires a building permit for any retaining wall exceeding 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge load. Walls in critical areas such as steep slopes (15 percent or greater), landslide hazard zones, or wetland buffers require geotechnical engineering review regardless of height under Bellevue Critical Areas Ordinance LUC 20.25H. Bellevue has extensive steep slope terrain especially in Somerset, Lakemont, and west Bellevue neighborhoods where engineered walls with drainage systems are common. Rockeries (stacked rock walls without mortar) over 4 feet also require permits and engineered design. Walls must not be placed in public rights-of-way without a right-of-way use permit from Transportation. Drainage must be directed to approved stormwater systems, not across neighboring properties.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle retaining walls.
See how Bellevue's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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