Brick, NJ Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- Over 8 inches tall
- Safety barrier required
- Walls over 30 inches tall
- Barrier height minimum
- At least 4 feet high
- Application requires
- Sealed engineering drawings, calculations
- Max penalty
- $2,500 fine or 90 days
Summary
Brick Township requires an engineering permit and sealed drawings for any retaining wall over eight inches tall, plus a four-foot safety barrier once a wall exceeds 30 inches in height.
A permit is required prior to the start of construction on any retaining wall over eight inches tall at its highest point which was not specifically shown on an approved subdivision plan, site plan or plot plan. Each such retaining wall application shall include sealed engineering drawings, including plans, cross sections and design calculations.
(b) As per N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14(g), a permit is also needed from the Construction Department for the construction, reconstruction, alteration or demolition, of any retaining wall or walls which will have an impact on the foundation of a structure.
(c) An approved safety barrier shall be required in all cases where the wall is more than 30 inches tall (at the highest point), subject to the Engineer's review. Furthermore, an approved safety barrier shall be required in wall systems containing a series of two or more walls as determined in the course of the Engineer's safety review. A "safety barrier" shall be defined for the purposes of this section as an artificial barrier, not to include landscaping, which will prevent a child from penetrating through to the other side of the barrier. Specifications for safety barriers shall be as follows: [1] A safety barrier shall be at least four feet high. [2] A safety barrier shall be constructed of approved materials in a manner that will prevent a child from penetrating it. [3] A safety barrier shall be located at the outer edge at the top of the wall along its entire length.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4577344; v53 updated 2025-12-09; through 12-09-2025).
Full Breakdown
Any retaining wall over eight inches tall in Brick Township needs an Engineering Department permit before construction begins, unless the wall already appears on an approved subdivision, site, or plot plan. The application must include sealed engineering drawings: plans, cross sections, and design calculations. Walls over 30 inches tall also need an approved safety barrier at least four feet high, and walls affecting a building's foundation additionally require a Construction Department permit under N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.14(g). The Township Engineer administers and inspects the work.
Violations & Fines
Building without a permit or ignoring engineering requirements violates § 168-3, punishable by up to a $2,500 fine, 90 days' imprisonment, or both, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small retaining wall in Brick Township?
How tall can a retaining wall be before a safety barrier is required?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brick
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Retaining Walls in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle retaining walls.