Hollywood, FL Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before building, altering or repairing
- Design requirement
- Florida-registered engineer must prepare plans
- Developed areas
- Uniform height, rot/rust-resistant material only
- Approving agency
- City Engineer approves plans
- Governing sections
- §§ 150.20-150.23 and § 155.07
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 60 days
- Continuing violation
- Each day is a separate offense
Summary
Hollywood bars anyone from building, altering or repairing a retaining wall on land next to a canal, lake or other waterway without a city-approved permit backed by plans an engineer registered in Florida has designed. In already-developed shoreline areas the wall must hold a uniform height and use permanent, rot- and rust-resistant material such as concrete, coral rock or corrosion-resisting steel.
(A) Developed areas. In previously developed areas, the retaining walls shall be of uniform height, and in order to insure proper security and safety to the public, all retaining walls shall be constructed of permanent rot and rust resistant material such as concrete, coral rock, cement, asbestos or corrosion resisting steel. New materials and methods may be used, provided that they admit to rational analysis and are approved by the city. Reasonable conformity to existing alignment and grade will be required, as determined by the city. ... All applications for permits to construct retaining walls pursuant to this subchapter shall be accompanied by a design thereof made by an engineer registered in the state and said applications and designs shall be filed with the city.
Full Breakdown
23), not the general zoning fence rules. 21(A) requires that in previously developed areas the wall be built to uniform height and constructed only of permanent, rot- and rust-resistant materials such as concrete, coral rock, cement, asbestos or corrosion-resisting steel, though the city may approve new materials and methods that admit to rational analysis. The wall must also keep reasonable conformity to the existing alignment and grade of the shoreline as the city determines it. 22 requires the permit application to be accompanied by a design prepared by an engineer registered in the State of Florida, filed with the city along with the application.
23 then bars the city from issuing a building permit for constructing, reconstructing, structurally altering or repairing any retaining wall on waterfront property until the applicant has complied with the whole subchapter. 07 of the Basic Land Improvement Code, which separately requires an application for any bulkhead or retaining wall permit to include detailed plans and specifications approved by the City Engineer. 22 and City Engineer sign-off on plans before Building Division permit issuance.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 150 carries no dedicated penalty clause for the Retaining Walls subchapter, so the code's general penalty in § 10.99 controls: a violation is punishable by a fine up to $500, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both. Under § 10.99(C), a wall built without the required permit or engineer-stamped design is treated as a public nuisance subject to city abatement, and § 10.99(D) makes each day the noncompliant wall remains a separate violation. Without the § 150.22 engineer's design on file, § 150.23 blocks permit issuance outright.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an engineer to build a retaining wall in Hollywood?
What materials can I use for a retaining wall in Hollywood?
Can the city issue my building permit before I comply with the retaining wall rules?
Does a separate city department review retaining wall plans?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hollywood
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hollywood to another location·View the Florida fence regulations overview
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Retaining Walls in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle retaining walls.