La Plata County, CO Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Retaining walls that fall under Section 70-17.VI (fences and walls used for buffering) in unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, carry a hard engineering trigger. Subsection VI.E says all retaining walls in excess of four (4) feet in total height, whether in a single line or in steps, shall be designed by a professional engineer. A stepped wall is measured by its total height, so terracing does not avoid the requirement.

The rest of the subsection sets design conditions that apply whatever the height. Landscaping shall be provided on any steps in the retaining wall and at the base to soften the appearance of the wall (VI.F). To the maximum extent feasible, attention shall be given to the visual impact of fences and retaining walls as viewed from off-site, and color and type of materials shall be chosen to minimize negative visual impacts (VI.G). All retaining walls shall have adequate subsurface drainage (VI.H). Fences and walls also share the cap in subsection VI.I: not more than eight (8) feet high, measured from the top of the wall to the finished grade of the lot directly under it.

A wall proposed with a development application has to show up in the paperwork. The landscaping plan required by subsection VIII must show the location, height and material of proposed berms, rock walls, fences, retaining walls or other screening, along with existing and proposed grade and the drainage facilities used for drainage control.

The building code adds a second lens. The county's amended building code section 105.2, printed in Sec. 18-35, lists "Retaining walls, except when acting as an integral part of the building or structure, or less than 4 feet above finish grade" in its work exempt from permits, so Community Development reads that exemption together with the engineering trigger in the Land Use Code when a wall is proposed.