Irving, TX Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, separate from combination permit
- Governing section
- Land Development Code § 8B-27(e)
- No permit penalty
- Investigation fee = full permit fee
- Contractor registration
- Required, renews annually
- Appeal body
- Construction Board of Appeals, 30-day window
- Max fine
- $500 (up to $2,000 if zoning/fire/health)
Summary
Irving requires a separate building permit before a retaining wall goes in. Land Development Code Section 8B-27(e) lists retaining walls among the structures that need their own permit even when built alongside a combination building permit for a larger project.
Separate permits are required for drive approaches (excluding new construction of single-family, townhouse, duplex, or triplex structures), fences, signs, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, fire mains and hydrants, on-site utilities, irrigation systems, retaining walls, construction trailers, pools, fuel tanks, electric door locks, electric gate controllers, and solar energy systems.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4988517; v32 updated 2026-07-30).
Full Breakdown
' Anyone who starts retaining wall construction before pulling that permit is subject to an investigation fee equal to the regular permit fee under subsection (b), on top of the permit fee itself. Contractors performing the work must be registered with the city under subsection (c) unless the work is done by a homesteaded homeowner on their own residence; registration is renewed annually. If the building official denies or rejects the proposed method of construction for a wall, the owner or contractor can appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals under Section 8B-29, a seven-member board that includes a licensed architect or engineer and a home builder; an appeal must be filed in writing with a fee within 30 days of the decision, and the board meets within 30 days of receiving the appeal.
Fee schedules for all permits under this chapter, including retaining walls, are set and adopted by city council resolution rather than fixed in the code text itself, so the current fee has to be checked against that resolution.
Violations & Fines
Section 8B-28(a) makes a violation of this permitting chapter a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00, rising to a fine not to exceed $2,000.00 if the violation involves fire safety, zoning, or public health and sanitation. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the offense is strict liability under subsection (b), meaning the city does not have to prove intent to convict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a retaining wall in Irving?
What happens if I build a retaining wall without a permit in Irving?
Can I appeal if Irving rejects my retaining wall permit or design?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Irving
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Irving to another location·View the Texas fence regulations overview
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Retaining Walls in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle retaining walls.