Davenport requires a building permit for retaining walls over four feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or for any wall supporting a surcharge. Walls follow the adopted 2021 International Building and Residential Codes.
Under the City of Davenport permit schedule, retaining walls over four feet require a building permit; walls not over four feet, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, are exempt unless they support a surcharge (a slope, driveway, or structure above) or impound flammable liquids. Wood and landscape-timber walls are also listed as permit-exempt. Davenport enforces the 2021 International Building Code and International Residential Code (Municipal Code Chapter 15.12), and the Building Official may require engineered designs for taller or surcharged retaining systems. Address drainage and lot-line setbacks in the design.
Building a retaining wall over four feet, or a surcharged wall, without a permit can bring a stop-work order, a required after-the-fact permit with engineered plans, and municipal-infraction fines.
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