Monroe Township (Middlesex County), NJ Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Section 108-12.6 is titled Clearing and grading, and subsection G(5) sets the construction and height standard for retaining walls in slope control areas. The wall must be constructed of heavy treated timber of logs, reinforced concrete, other reinforced masonry or other construction acceptable to the Township Engineer. It must be adequately designed and detailed on the final plat to carry all earth pressures, including any surcharges. The height of retaining walls shall not exceed 1/3 of the horizontal distance from the foundation wall of any building to the face of the retaining wall. If the Township adopts standard details for such construction after the chapter, those details govern.

The same subsection G, Lot grading, sets the context: grading plans must be submitted with the preliminary and final plats, and any departure from them must be approved under the chapter's rules for modification of improvements. The maximum grade for lawns within five feet of a building is 5%.

Street slopes carry their own wall rule. Under § 108-12.6.E, where excavations or embankments would extend significantly beyond road rights-of-way, the reviewing agency can direct terraces, retaining walls, crib walls or other means. Any such walls must be located outside the roadway right-of-way, and maintenance is the responsibility of the owner of the property on which they are constructed.

Two neighboring provisions matter. Section 108-8.2.F says the fence restrictions shall not be applied so as to restrict the erection of a wall for the purpose of retaining earth, so the fence height caps in § 108-8.2.A do not cap a retaining wall. Section 108-12.24.G, in the storm drainage article, repeats the earth pressure design requirement but words the height ratio as 1/2 of the horizontal distance and says it should not be exceeded; the 1/3 figure in § 108-12.6.G(5) is the one worded as a requirement. In floodways, § 44-77 requires retaining walls that involve placement of fill to meet § 44-36A of the flood regulations and N.J.A.C. 7:13.