Guilford County's UDO treats a retaining wall or berm under a fence as part of the fence's overall height. Fences may not impede the natural flow of water in any stream, creek, drainage swale or ditch.
Under UDO Section 6.4.E.4.a, where fences are located on retaining walls or man-made berms, the height of the retaining wall or berm is counted as part of the overall height of the fence, so a wall-plus-fence combination must still meet the 4-foot and 8-foot residential caps. Section 6.4.C.2 forbids fence construction that alters or impedes the natural flow of water in any stream, creek, drainage swale or ditch. Structural retaining walls above code-defined heights are also subject to the North Carolina State Building Code and may require a county building permit.
A retaining-wall fence exceeding height limits or impeding drainage is a nuisance subject to repair, replacement or removal by order of the Enforcement Officer.
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See how Guilford County's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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