Retaining walls in Memphis over 4 feet in height, or any height if supporting a surcharge, require an engineered structural permit. Drainage behind the wall must be designed to prevent hydrostatic failure, a common issue in Memphis loess soils.
Memphis adopts the International Residential Code and International Building Code with local amendments. Retaining walls 4 feet and under (measured from the bottom of the footing) without a surcharge do not require a structural permit but still need setback and grading compliance. Walls over 4 feet or any wall supporting a driveway, pool, or slope require engineered drawings stamped by a Tennessee-licensed professional engineer and a permit from Construction Code Enforcement. Memphis sits on deep loess and alluvial soils that lose strength when saturated; proper drainage (weep holes, drain tile, gravel backfill) is essential. Wall failures are common along the bluffs Downtown, in Frayser, and in Raleigh where soils are steep and poorly drained. Walls in drainage easements or floodplain areas may require additional review by the Division of Public Works. Tied-back segmental block walls over 10 feet may require geotechnical investigation.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Memphis code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how Memphis's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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