Clark County allows retaining walls four feet or less (and fences seven feet or less) within easements. Walls over four feet, or fences over seven feet, must meet the underlying zone's setbacks, with specific exceptions. Walls over four feet need a permit and engineering.
Under CCC 40.320.010(F)(3)-(4), retaining walls four feet or less and fences seven feet or less may be built within easements; taller walls and fences must meet the underlying zone's setback requirements. Fence height on top of a retaining wall is measured to the grade at the bottom of the wall. Exceptions include stepped walls four feet or less separated by at least eight feet (total height in a setback not exceeding eight feet), exposed faces directed toward the lot interior, and non-sight-obscuring fences (chain link or wrought iron) seven feet or less atop walls no greater than four feet. Walls over four feet require a permit and Washington-engineer design.
Unpermitted or over-height retaining walls face stop-work orders and after-the-fact permitting; walls carrying a surcharge or over four feet without engineering must be corrected.
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