Plumas County, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Plumas County's fence provisions in Title 9, Article 4 (General Requirements) set heights and setbacks for fences and walls, but the county code does not publish a stand-alone retaining-wall height schedule the way some jurisdictions do. Retaining walls are primarily a building-code matter handled by the Plumas County Building Division, which administers the California Building Code adopted in the county's building regulations (Title 8). Under the statewide model code that California counties adopt, a building permit is typically required for a retaining wall that retains more than a few feet of soil or that supports a surcharge (such as a slope, driveway, or structure above), while very short, non-loaded garden walls are often exempt. Engineered design and drainage may be required for taller or loaded walls, especially given Plumas County's mountainous terrain and slopes. A retaining wall that also functions as a fence, or that has a fence on top, must still respect the zoning height and front-setback rules in Article 4. Because the exact permit threshold depends on wall height, retained height, and surcharge, owners should confirm the current requirement and any engineering or drainage standards with the Plumas County Building Division before construction.