Marana, AZ Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Retaining walls in Marana are regulated under the Land Development Code Title 17 and the International Building Code as adopted by the town. A building permit from Marana Building Safety is required for retaining walls exceeding 4 feet in exposed height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Walls that retain a surcharge (such as a driveway, structure, or slope above) may require engineering calculations and stamped structural plans regardless of height. Grading permits are required through the town engineering department for significant grade changes that affect drainage patterns. In hillside development areas, particularly the Dove Mountain and Tortolita Highlands communities, retaining walls must comply with hillside development overlay standards that limit cut-and-fill, require terracing over continuous tall walls, and mandate natural stone or colored split-face block finishes that blend with the Sonoran Desert landscape. Marana drainage regulations require that retaining walls not redirect stormwater onto neighboring properties. Setback requirements for retaining walls vary by zone; walls in required setback areas may need additional engineering review. HOAs in master-planned communities frequently specify approved retaining wall materials and maximum heights beyond code minimums.