Gautier, MS Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Jackson County regulates retaining walls under its adopted International Residential Code (IRC) Section R404 and R105. Walls 4 feet or less in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and not supporting a surcharge (driveway, structure, slope above), do not require a permit. Walls exceeding 4 feet, or any wall supporting a surcharge regardless of height, require a building permit from Jackson County Planning and Zoning and must be designed by a Mississippi-licensed professional engineer with plans stamped. Drainage behind the wall is critical given Jackson County's heavy rainfall (65+ inches annually, with tropical system surges adding significant load); walls must include weep holes, gravel backfill, and perimeter drains. Soil conditions in coastal Jackson County, including sandy loams near the beaches and expansive clays inland, affect design. Setbacks from property lines generally match zoning district fence setbacks, typically 0 to 5 feet. Walls within the Coastal Preserve boundary, near tidal wetlands, or in MDEQ-regulated areas near the Pascagoula River, Grand Bayou, or Bayou Cumbest require MDEQ coordination and potentially USACE §404 permits for fill near jurisdictional waters. FEMA floodplain rules apply to walls in AE and VE zones.