Norfolk County has no retaining wall rule. 780 CMR (MA Building Code) requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing) or with surcharge loads. Engineered plans required.
Retaining walls in Norfolk County are regulated through the uniform MA Building Code (780 CMR 9th Edition, based on IRC/IBC). Section R105.2 exempts walls not over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall from permit, provided no surcharge. Walls with surcharge from slopes, driveways, pools, or structures above require a permit at any height. Walls over 4 feet require engineered plans stamped by a MA-registered professional engineer (PE). Brookline, Quincy, and Weymouth Building Departments issue the permits and inspect drainage. Drainage behind the wall is mandatory — weep holes or drain tile, free-draining backfill. Wetlands Protection Act (MGL c. 131 §40) may trigger Conservation Commission review if within 100 ft of wetlands or 200 ft of perennial stream (common in Norfolk County's Charles and Neponset watersheds). Stormwater bylaws in each town may add requirements.
Unpermitted wall >4 ft: stop-work order, up to $1,000 under 780 CMR. Required engineering review retroactively at owner cost. Conservation violations: up to $25,000 under MGL c. 131 §40.
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