Minnetonka, MN Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Retaining walls in the City of Minnetonka (Hennepin County, Minnesota) are addressed in two places in the zoning chapter. The most specific numeric limit is in Section 300.23, the wetlands protection section. Subdivision 8 sets standards for wetlands, buffer areas and neighboring lands, and subdivision 8(b) covers setbacks. Under subdivision 8(b)(5), retaining walls cannot be within 25 feet of a wetland unless needed to control existing conditions of erosion as field verified by city staff. In that case the location of the retaining wall must be approved by city staff.

A second rule applies to walls built as part of access and parking improvements. Under subdivision 8(b)(2), parking areas, roadways, driveway areas and trails, and any retaining wall structurally integral to building those items, must not be located within 20 feet of a wetland and must be outside any required buffer area. Fences are treated differently: subdivision 8(b)(4) says no setback is required from the wetland for fences. Structures other than those permitted in the wetland overlay districts must be set back at least 35 feet from a wetland and at least 10 feet from a required wetland buffer, whichever is greater.

Construction standards come from section 300.27, the site and building plan review section. Subdivision 18, titled Retaining Walls, states that retaining walls must be reviewed and constructed as required by the building code, so a wall is reviewed through the building permit process rather than by a separate height table in the zoning chapter. Section 300.02 defines a retaining wall as a wall that separates and retains two areas of earth that have different elevations.

Before grading or construction near a wetland overlay district, the owner or contractor must place erosion control fencing on the upland side of the perimeter, and it must stay in place until the work is finished and adequate vegetative cover is established.