Lakeville, MN Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Lakeville does not include a stand-alone retaining-wall height standard in its fence ordinance (11-21). Instead, retaining walls fall under the Minnesota State Building Code, which the city administers through its building division. Under the building code, a retaining wall that is not over four feet (4') in height — measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall — does not require a building permit, unless the wall supports a surcharge (such as a slope, driveway, or structure above it) or impounds flammable liquids. A wall over four feet, or any wall with a surcharge, requires a building permit and engineered design. Separately, Lakeville's land-disturbance and grading rules in Chapter 16 may apply: Section 11-16-7 requires erosion control and, for larger projects, a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) before disturbing land or creating impervious surface, and foundation/garage floors must sit at least eighteen inches (18') above the street crown grade unless the city engineer approves otherwise. Walls within drainage and utility easements or in shoreland buffers (e.g., the South Creek 50-foot buffer in 11-16-11) may face added restrictions. Confirm permit thresholds and easement impacts with Lakeville's Building Inspections division before construction.