Henderson requires a permit and engineered drawings for any retaining wall over 4 feet tall measured from footing to top of wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge. Hillside overlays add geotechnical reports.
Henderson Municipal Code Title 15 and the International Building Code as adopted require a building permit for every retaining wall that exceeds 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or any retaining wall supporting a surcharge (pool, structure, driveway, or slope above). Permit submittal must include stamped engineered drawings prepared by a Nevada-licensed structural or civil engineer, a site plan showing setbacks and drainage, soils or geotechnical reports when located in hillside overlay zones such as Black Mountain, MacDonald Highlands, or Ascaya, and HOA architectural approval. Walls must provide weep holes, positive drainage, and approved backfill. Failure to engineer properly leads to wall failures which are common in Henderson hillside communities due to expansive soils and summer monsoon runoff. Anything under 4 feet with no surcharge generally does not need a permit but still must meet setback and drainage rules.
Unpermitted retaining wall: stop-work order, retroactive engineering fees, required removal or rebuild under HMC Title 15 and IBC adopted code.
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