Bergen County does not directly regulate retaining walls. Municipal building departments enforce New Jersey's Uniform Construction Code, requiring permits for retaining walls typically over 4 feet tall and engineered drawings for taller structures.
Retaining walls in Bergen County are governed by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) and enforced by municipal building departments. State code generally requires permits for walls over 4 feet in height measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, or for any wall supporting a surcharge. Walls over 4 feet typically require sealed engineering plans from a licensed professional engineer. Setback requirements vary by municipality. Walls along county roads or near county drainage infrastructure require additional review by the Bergen County Department of Public Works to avoid impacts on stormwater management.
Unpermitted retaining walls may face stop-work orders, fines up to $2,000, mandatory engineering review, or required removal.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle retaining walls.
See how Garfield's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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