Retaining walls in Irvine not exceeding 4 feet in height from footing to top are exempt from building permits unless supporting a surcharge. Taller walls require engineering plans and a building permit.
Under California Building Code provisions adopted by Irvine, retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall are exempt from permit requirements, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding flammable liquids. Retaining walls exceeding 4 feet require a building permit with structural engineering calculations. Walls within required zoning setback areas must comply with Irvine Zoning Ordinance. Combined retaining wall and fence height must comply with overall height limits for the zone. Drainage behind retaining walls must be addressed to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup.
Unpermitted retaining walls over 4 feet are subject to code enforcement, fines, and potential required removal or retrofitting.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle retaining walls.
See how Irvine's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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