Cayuga County, NY Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Section 132-4B(5) of the Code of Cayuga County exempts construction of retaining walls from the building permit requirement unless such walls support a surcharge or impound Class I, II or IIIA liquids. A surcharge in this context is an added load pressing on the wall beyond the retained earth itself, such as a driveway, structure or parking area built above the wall, and Class I, II and IIIA liquids are flammable and combustible liquid classifications used in the New York State Fire Code, referenced elsewhere in Chapter 132's operating-permit provisions for hazardous materials storage.

A retaining wall that falls into either exception must go through the Section 132-4A permit process: a written application to the Code Enforcement Officer describing the proposed work, including the Tax Map number and street address, and, because such a wall is structural, construction documents prepared by a New York State registered architect or licensed professional engineer where the Education Law requires it, substantiating that the wall will comply with the Uniform Code. Subsection C applies here too: even an exempt ordinary retaining wall must still be built consistent with the Uniform Code and Energy Code, so the exemption removes the paperwork, not the underlying safety standard.