Cedar Hill, TX Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Cedar Hill is one of the few DFW cities with substantial topographic relief — the Cedar Mountain escarpment rises over 200 feet above the surrounding plain — and many lots in Lake Ridge, High Pointe, Tara Plantation, and along Belt Line/Wintergreen require terraced retaining walls. Walls 4 feet or less in exposed height retaining only level soil generally do not require a permit (though HOA approval may apply). Walls over 4 feet, walls of any height supporting a 'surcharge' (driveway, pool, structure, sloped backfill above the wall), and walls within drainage easements require a building permit and stamped engineered drawings prepared by a Texas-licensed engineer. Permits review structural design, drainage (gravel backfill, weep holes, drain tile), guard rails (required if the wall faces a drop greater than 30 inches with a walking surface within 36 inches), and impact on adjacent properties' grading. Tiered walls must be separated horizontally by at least twice the lower wall's height to be considered independent. Failure to permit a wall that later collapses creates significant liability.