Imperial County, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Imperial County's Land Use Ordinance (Title 9, Division 4, Chapter 3) addresses masonry and fence walls but does not set a separate, standalone retaining-wall height ordinance; structural retaining walls are governed by the California Building Code that the County has adopted (the fence chapter references the 2013 edition) and administered by the Building Division. For masonry walls generally, the ordinance draws its line at four feet: a masonry wall four (4) feet or less in height is exempt from a building permit but must comply with the County's masonry-fences handout and pass foundation, reinforcement and final inspections; a masonry wall more than four (4) feet must be built to the specifications of the adopted California Building Code and designed by a California-licensed registered civil engineer or architect. As a practical matter, retaining walls are commonly treated similarly to other building-code structures: under the statewide California Building Code, retaining walls retaining more than four feet of fill measured from the bottom of the footing typically require a permit and engineering, while shorter walls not supporting a surcharge may be exempt. Because Imperial County is largely flat agricultural land, tall engineered retaining walls are less common than in hillside counties, but where grade differences exist, an engineered design and permit are needed. Anyone building a retaining wall should confirm the exact height threshold, permit requirement and engineering standard with Imperial County Planning & Development Services, Building Division, because the controlling standard is the adopted Building Code rather than a unique County retaining-wall section.