Dublin, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

The City of Dublin treats retaining walls differently from ordinary fences. According to the City's Community Development Department handout 'Residential Fence, Wall, and Hedge Regulations' (2/2023), retaining wall construction and height are regulated by the Building Division, and residents are directed to contact the Building Division at (925) 833-6620 for information on the height and structural construction requirements of a retaining wall. This means a retaining wall is reviewed as a structural element under the building code rather than under the Zoning Ordinance's fence-height table. An important interaction rule applies when a fence is placed on top of a retaining wall: the handout states that the height of a fence, wall, or hedge is normally measured upward from the finished ground level beneath it, but where a fence is being built upon a retaining wall, the height shall be measured from the highest adjacent finished ground level. This prevents an owner from stacking a tall fence on a tall wall to exceed the allowed combined height. Because retaining wall standards depend on wall height, soil, and surcharge, and may require engineering and a building permit, confirm the exact requirements for your project with the Building Division before construction. This page does not state a specific Dublin retaining-wall height threshold because that is set by the Building Division.