DeKalb County requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall. Engineered plans required over 4 ft. Land disturbance permits required for significant grading.
DeKalb County Code and the Georgia State Minimum Standard Building Code require a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Walls over 4 feet must have engineered plans stamped by a Georgia-licensed professional engineer. Surcharge loads (driveways, structures, slopes above the wall) can lower the permit-free threshold — even walls under 4 ft may require engineering with surcharge. Walls near property lines must meet zoning setbacks under DeKalb Zoning Code Chapter 27. Drainage behind the wall must be addressed. Disturbing over 1 acre triggers a land disturbance permit under the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act. Tree impact review required if protected trees are within construction zone.
Unpermitted walls over 4 ft: stop-work, retroactive engineering and permit plus double fees. Failure to address drainage: correction order. Fines up to $1,000 in Recorder's Court.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Dunwoody, GA
Dunwoody regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound permits available for events. O.C.G.A. §16-11-39 applies to unreasonable disturba...
Dunwoody, GA
Barking dogs in Dunwoody are regulated under the general noise ordinance (Ch. 18) and DeKalb County animal control provisions. Persistent barking that unreas...
Dunwoody, GA
Dunwoody Chapter 18 restricts construction and landscaping noise. Landscape contractors may not operate motorized equipment before 7:30 AM or after 8:30 PM o...
Dunwoody, GA
Dunwoody's noise ordinance is codified in Chapter 18. The ordinance prohibits loud, disturbing, and unnecessary noises in the city. General quiet hours are o...
Dunwoody, GA
Parking of RVs, boats, and trailers on residential properties in Dunwoody is regulated under the Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 27). Long-term storage in front yards ...
Dunwoody, GA
Driveway construction and curb cuts in Dunwoody require permits from the Community Development Department. Vehicles parked in driveways must not block sidewa...
See how Dunwoody's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.