Lane County treats retaining walls as structures subject to setback and Visual Clear Zone rules. Under the Oregon building code, retaining walls over 4 feet (measured bottom of footing to top) generally require a structural building permit.
A retaining wall used as visual screening within a setback follows the same 3.5-foot rule as a fence, and a taller screen requires an Oregon Registered Professional Engineer certification processed as a Type I procedure under LC Chapter 14. Structurally, Oregon adopts the state building code, under which retaining walls exceeding 4 feet from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall (or any wall supporting a surcharge such as a slope or driveway) require a building permit and engineered design. Walls must comply with the Visual Clear Zone at intersections and driveways, and cannot obstruct drainage in the right-of-way.
Building an over-height or surcharge-loaded retaining wall without a required structural permit can result in stop-work orders, correction requirements and Lane Code enforcement.
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