Charlotte, NC Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

i(N) governs retaining walls built inside the required common open space of a conservation residential development, an alternative lot-reduction option available only in the N1-A, N1-B, and N1-C zoning districts on sites of at least five acres: those retaining walls are limited to five feet in height and are prohibited within 10 feet of a green area, protecting the tree canopy and water quality that the conservation option is designed to preserve. Outside that specific setting, a retaining wall on a residential lot is treated as a wall for purposes of Article 17's citywide fence-and-wall standard: in the Neighborhood 1, Neighborhood 2, and MHP zoning districts a wall in the established front setback is capped at 5 feet, a wall in the side setback at 6 feet, and a wall in the rear setback at 8 feet, all measured above grade.

d requires the fence's height to be measured from the fill, or high, side of the wall, so the retaining wall's own height is not counted separately from the fence above it. 3 requires a storm drainage plan and permit from Storm Water Services before installing, modifying, or connecting a retaining wall or privacy/screening wall within a stormwater-related easement recorded with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds or within the right-of-way of a publicly maintained street. 5 feet of the centerline of a storm drainage pipe carrying runoff from a public street unless the Stormwater Administrator approves an exception.