Irondequoit, NY Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Town of Irondequoit Code § 235-69L is the wall subsection of the fencing section. Walls or retaining walls under 18 inches in height are exempt from the requirements of the section. All retaining walls exceeding 18 inches in height that are designed to retain earth require a building permit and must meet the subsection's requirements.

The paperwork depends on the wall type. For manufactured walls, the property owner must give the Town's Building Department written proof that the installer will construct the wall according to the manufacturer's specifications and accepts all liability in the event of failure. For nonmanufactured walls, a professional engineer's or registered architect's original seal and signature is required on the drawings submitted for the building permit.

Retaining walls get relief from fence height caps. Walls, regardless of location, are exempt from the height restrictions of fences as long as they are designed to retain earth on property slopes. That relief has limits: the grade cannot be changed to accommodate the wall, and drainage courses must be considered in the design so adjoining property is not affected.

A wall that affects the toe of a slope in a steep slope EPOD area and is greater than four feet in height needs an EPOD permit approval by the Planning Board before the building permit issues. Separately, subsection M requires fences, walls and similar construction to be maintained in good and substantial condition, with dilapidated, rotted, rusted and broken walls repaired, replaced or removed.

The Building Inspector enforces the zoning chapter under § 235-95 and will not grant a building permit except in compliance with it.