Tulare County, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Tulare County has not enacted a separate retaining-wall ordinance; it regulates them through the 2022 California Building Code, which Ordinance Code Section 7-15-1066 adopts for the unincorporated areas. CBC Section 105.2 ('Work exempt from permit') exempts, at item 4, 'Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or IIIA liquids.' This means walls 4 feet or shorter (footing-to-top) and not retaining an added load such as a slope, driveway, or structure above usually need no building permit, while walls over 4 feet, or any wall supporting a surcharge regardless of height, require a permit and engineered plans submitted to the Tulare County RMA Building Division. When a retaining wall also has a fence on top, the fence height portion is judged on its own against the Zoning Ordinance limits (6 feet along side/rear lot lines). Grading associated with a wall may trigger separate grading-permit requirements under Ordinance Code Section 7-15-1375 and CBC Appendix J. Because soil and slope conditions vary across the County, confirm engineering and permit needs with RMA before building.