Fort Lee requires construction permits for retaining walls and typically demands engineered drawings for walls over four feet, given the Borough's hilly Palisades topography.
Because Fort Lee sits along the Hudson River Palisades, retaining walls are common and tightly regulated. Walls over a defined height, generally four feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top, require a construction permit and engineered design sealed by a New Jersey licensed professional engineer. Stormwater management, drainage behind the wall, and proximity to property lines and slopes are evaluated. Tiered walls may be treated as a single wall for height purposes if too closely spaced.
Failed walls or unpermitted construction may result in stop-work orders, mandatory engineering review, fines, and required reconstruction.
Fort Lee, NJ
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Fort Lee, NJ
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Fort Lee, NJ
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Fort Lee, NJ
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bergen County.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle retaining walls.
See how Fort Lee's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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