Under Utah's adopted building code, a permit and engineered design are required for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top) or any wall supporting a surcharge. Shorter walls usually need no permit but must manage drainage and respect setbacks.
Utah adopts the International Residential/Building Code statewide, which requires a building permit for retaining walls taller than 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or for any wall supporting a surcharge such as a slope or driveway. Those walls must be designed by a Utah-licensed engineer. Layton requires a building permit for walls over the code threshold; in unincorporated Davis County, apply through the county Building Permits office. Walls under 4 feet generally need no permit but must not divert drainage onto neighbors or encroach past the property line.
Unpermitted or failing retaining walls can trigger stop-work orders, required engineering, and repair or removal orders. The owner bears liability for collapse or drainage damage to neighboring property.
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See how Davis County's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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