Campbell County, KY Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Retaining wall height
- Up to the higher finished grade
- Fence-on-wall height
- Governed by the zone's normal fence class limits
- Measurement method
- Measured along the fence/wall location
- Permit required
- Fees and permits under §§ 154.276, 154.277
- Penalty
- Class B misdemeanor, each day separate offense
Summary
Combination fence-and-retaining-wall structures are allowed in unincorporated Campbell County, but the retaining wall itself may only rise to the higher finished grade, with any fence on top counted separately against the applicable zone's fence-height limit.
(A) A combination fence and retaining wall may be erected. The retaining wall portion may be erected up to the level of the higher finished grade. The fence portion must be of the class and height permitted within this chapter for the applicable zone. Said measurement shall be made at and along the location of the fence and retaining wall. (B) No fence shall be erected, except as exempted or specified within this chapter, until all required fees have been paid to the proper authorities or their agents and the necessary permits have been issued for such by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with §§ 154.276 and 154.277.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-50: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. O-09-2026, passed 8-5-26; and Res. R-42-26, passed 7-15-26; and State legislation current through KRS Pamphlet 2025).
Full Breakdown
172 governs the common case of a retaining wall with a fence built on top of it. 165. The code specifies that the combined height is measured at and along the actual location of the fence and retaining wall, so a wall built into a slope is measured section by section rather than at a single point. 277. 279 and, where applicable, a plot plan showing the location, type, and height of walls and fences on the property. Because the code does not set out a separate freestanding height cap for retaining walls built without a fence on top, homeowners building a retaining wall alone should confirm grading and drainage requirements with the Planning and Zoning Commission before construction.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a fence atop a retaining wall without the required zoning and building permits, or building the fence portion taller than the applicable zone's height class allows, is a Chapter 154 violation and a class B misdemeanor under § 154.999, with each day of the violation treated as a separate offense. The Zoning Administrator's office can require an unpermitted or oversized fence-and-wall combination to be modified or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a retaining wall be if I put a fence on top of it?
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall with a fence on it?
How is the height of a fence on a retaining wall measured?
Is there a separate height limit for a retaining wall with no fence on it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Campbell County
Compare Campbell County to another location·View the Kentucky fence regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.