Medina, OH Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

03, Retaining Walls, sets Medina's design and permitting standards. Subsection (a) requires plans and permits for retaining walls over three feet in height, submitted to the City Engineer and the Chief Building Official for approval; shorter walls fall outside the permit trigger. Subsection (b) limits construction materials to approved masonry or plain or reinforced concrete for walls that permanently retain or support adjoining earth or rock, though corbeled walls of dry, solid concrete, stone or other material may be permitted at the Chief Building Official's discretion.

Subsection (c) caps soil pressure under the wall at the safe bearing capacities allowed by the Building Code, assuming 2,000 pounds per square foot unless the City Engineer or Chief Building Official requires field verification. Subsection (d) requires a durable coping to protect the top of the wall unless it is built of concrete. 01(b)(3). 02(c) requires an owner who grades a lot to a different level than an adjoining property to provide suitable slopes, retaining walls or other protection to preserve the adjacent property's natural slope, capping maximum slope at fourteen percent absent City Engineer approval. 99: a fine of up to $1,000, up to three months imprisonment, or both, with each day a separate offense.