Maple Grove, MN Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

The City of Maple Grove does not have a separate retaining-wall section in its zoning ordinance, and no city retaining-wall handout was found. Retaining walls in Maple Grove are governed by the Minnesota State Building Code, which the city's Building Department enforces. Minnesota Rules 1300.0120, subpart 4.A.(4), exempts from permit "retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids." In practice, a wall measured from the footing to the top that exceeds 4 feet requires a building permit, and a wall of any height that supports a surcharge (such as a driveway or slope load above it) or impounds regulated liquids also requires a permit. Because wall height is measured from the bottom of the footing, a wall that looks shorter above grade can still cross the 4-foot threshold. Even when no building permit is required, a retaining wall must comply with Maple Grove zoning: it cannot be placed in a drainage or utility easement, and the city's accessory-structure guidance warns that easements are often wider than the minimum setback. For walls over 4 feet or those carrying a surcharge, engineered plans are typically required. Confirm specifics with the Building Department (763-494-6060) and Community Development (763-494-6040).