Calvert County, MD Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Chapter 104's § 104-66 treats retaining walls as infrastructure the county's Department of Public Works has to sign off on wherever they touch a road right-of-way. Under § 104-66A(1), any retaining wall three feet or greater in height needs a building permit for construction or replacement, obtained from Inspections and Permits per § 104-66B(1). The county strongly discourages walls of any height inside or next to a right-of-way where a wall failure could compromise the roadway, unless the Director approves in writing, and an existing wall in a right-of-way or easement can be ordered removed or modified if the Director finds it creates a safety hazard, obstructs vision, alters stormwater or storm drainage function, or hinders maintenance work under § 104-66A(2)-(3).

Design submittals under § 104-66C must include design drawings, specifications, an engineer's report, and a geotechnical report, all signed and sealed by a licensed structural engineer registered in Maryland, covering wall stationing, layout, elevations, and a step-by-step construction sequence. When the wall permit is not tied to building a residence, § 104-66B(3) requires a bond equal to 125% of the construction cost, set by the Director. Additional siting rules in § 104-66D keep walls at least six feet back from the edge of the travel way or paved shoulder, require fence or railing systems on walls inside a right-of-way, and require corrosion-resistant design for any wall within 12 feet of the curbline or pavement edge. As-built plans are required once a road-related wall is finished.