Daly City, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Daly City's official Fences and Retaining Walls handout sets out the City's retaining-wall rules. The height of a retaining wall is measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unlike fences, which are measured from adjoining grade. A retaining wall supports the horizontal force of adjoining soil, structures, or hillsides, and in most cases must be designed by a licensed professional engineer. Walls less than 48 inches in height may be constructed of wood only if they sustain no loads other than landscaping backfill soil and use pressure-treated lumber or naturally decay-resistant species. Walls greater than 48 inches - or under 48 inches but supporting a surcharge or an excavated uphill slope - require a building permit, professional engineering design, and submission of construction documents for structural review by the Building Division ((650) 991-8061). A retaining wall built over a City easement or in the public right-of-way also requires advance clearance from the Public Works/Engineering Division and possibly an encroachment permit; a permanent retaining wall that blocks access to a utility easement is subject to removal at the owner's expense.