Retaining walls in Carmichael require a Sacramento County Building Permit under SCC §16.04 when they retain more than 4 feet of soil measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or when they support a surcharge (driveway, structure, slope).
Per California Building Code §105.2 and Sacramento County's adoption in SCC Title 16, retaining walls 4 feet or less in height (bottom of footing to top of wall) WITHOUT surcharge are permit exempt. Walls over 4 feet, or any wall supporting a load above (driveway, structure, sloped backfill), require structural engineering plans signed by a licensed California civil/structural engineer and a Building Permit. Walls on or near property lines must also clear easements. Hillside or geotechnically complex sites may need a soils report. Permit application through Sacramento County Building Permits Division.
Building without a required permit: stop-work order plus double permit fees on the after-the-fact permit. Engineered wall failures causing slope failure can carry civil and criminal exposure under CA Bus & Prof Code §6735 (engineering practice without license).
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