Mansfield, TX Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Mansfield Building Services regulates retaining walls through Chapter 6 of the City Code and the Unified Development Code, following the International Residential Code as amended. A retaining wall that is 4 feet or taller measured from the bottom of the footing to the top, or any wall that supports a surcharge from a fence, driveway, pool, or parking area, requires a building permit with structural plans stamped and sealed by a Texas-registered professional engineer. Shorter landscape retaining walls under 4 feet do not require a permit but must not interfere with drainage across property lines, block required swales, or be placed inside drainage easements without Engineering Division review. Under the North Central Texas rolling terrain, many Mansfield subdivisions including those around Walnut Creek and M3 Ranch include engineered retaining walls on the grading plan at time of original development; homeowner replacements must match or exceed original engineering or obtain a new stamped design. Walls in the floodplain or within a drainage easement require additional Engineering Division review and may need no-rise certifications under FEMA floodplain management standards. Railroad tie walls are discouraged due to deterioration; segmental block systems (Allan Block, Keystone, Versa-Lok) and poured reinforced concrete with geogrid reinforcement are the accepted solutions for 4 foot plus walls.