Manitou Springs, CO Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Max single wall height
- 10 ft.
- Min. gap between tiers
- 4 ft., vegetated
- Safety railing trigger
- drop of more than 30 in.
- Required railing height
- 42 in.
- Prohibited materials
- non-pressure-treated wood, vinyl, plastic
Summary
Manitou Springs caps retaining walls at 10 feet in height and requires a minimum 4-foot vegetated gap between stacked tiers. Any wall next to a trail, parking area, or sidewalk with a drop of more than 30 inches needs a 42-inch safety railing, and walls cannot be built from non-pressure treated wood, vinyl, or plastic.
A.The height of a retaining wall shall be measured from the top of the wall to the finished grade of the lot at the base of the wall. Any berm, wall, or similar feature that is constructed for the purpose of increasing the height of a wall shall be considered to be a part of the wall.B.Retaining wall shall be:1.No more than ten (10) feet in height.2.Areas between retaining wall tiers shall be a minimum of four (4) feet in width and shall contain living vegetation.C.Where a retaining wall located adjacent to a pedestrian walkway such as a trail, parking area, or sidewalk, results in a downward vertical drop of more than thirty inches, a railing at least forty-two inches in height shall be placed along the top edge of the retaining wall to prevent pedestrians from falling over the edge of the retaining wall. ... 18.03.5.8Prohibited Retaining Wall Materials.A.Retaining wall shall not be constructed of non-pressure treated wood, vinyl, plastic, or other materials that are not customarily sold for retaining walls.
Full Breakdown
2. Height is measured from the top of the wall down to the finished grade at the wall's base, and, as with fences, any berm or similar feature built to increase a wall's effective height counts as part of the wall for that measurement. The maximum height for a single retaining wall is 10 feet. Where a site needs more retained grade than one wall can handle, the code requires terracing rather than a taller single wall: areas between retaining wall tiers must be at least 4 feet wide and planted with living vegetation, a rule aimed at both stabilizing the slope and softening the visual impact of stacked walls on Manitou Springs' steep canyon lots.
A separate safety trigger applies wherever a retaining wall sits next to a pedestrian walkway, such as a trail, parking area, or sidewalk: if the wall creates a downward vertical drop of more than 30 inches, the property must install a railing at least 42 inches high along the top edge to keep pedestrians from falling. 4: walls cannot be built from non-pressure treated wood, vinyl, plastic, or other materials not customarily sold for retaining wall construction, pushing property owners toward materials engineered for sustained soil pressure.
Violations & Fines
A retaining wall built over height, without required tier spacing, or without the mandatory safety railing is enforced through the Neighborhood Services Officer's Section 18.06.4.29 complaint and inspection process, which can result in a written order requiring correction or removal. Conviction carries the Section 1.01.100 penalty of a fine up to $2,650, imprisonment up to 90 days, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, and the city may pursue civil abatement of an unsafe wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a retaining wall be in Manitou Springs?
Is there a rule for stacked or terraced retaining walls?
When is a safety railing required on a retaining wall?
Can a retaining wall be built out of wood or plastic?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manitou Springs
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