Denver requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) per DBC 105.2. Engineered drawings required. Lower walls with surcharge also need permits.
Denver Building Code (2018 IRC/IBC with Denver amendments) Section 105.2 requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Walls 4 feet and under that do not support a surcharge (driveway, structure, or sloped fill above) are permit-exempt. Any wall supporting a surcharge requires a permit regardless of height. Permitted walls over 4 feet must be designed and stamped by a Colorado-licensed Professional Engineer. Drainage (weep holes, gravel backfill, drain tile) must be shown on plans. Walls at property lines require owner signature from both parties or a recorded easement. Denver's expansive clay soils (Pierre Shale) make proper drainage critical — saturated soil doubles lateral pressure. Setback requirements apply to tall walls.
Unpermitted retaining wall: stop-work order, engineering review required, potential demolition. Fines $150 to $999. Collapsed wall with damage: civil liability.
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