Metro Nashville requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, or any height with surcharge. Engineered plans required over 4 feet.
Per the 2018 International Residential Code as adopted by Metro Nashville, retaining walls are exempt from permit requirements only when they are 4 feet or less in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) AND not supporting a surcharge such as a slope, driveway, or structure. Walls exceeding 4 feet or supporting surcharge require a building permit and engineered plans stamped by a Tennessee-licensed professional engineer. Drainage (typically gravel backfill with perforated drainpipe) must be shown on plans. Walls must meet zoning setbacks: typically 5 feet from rear/side property lines in R-zones unless the wall is the property line structure by agreement. Hillside Design Standards (Metro §17.28) may apply in hillside overlay districts.
Unpermitted walls: stop-work order, required engineering certification or removal. Metro penalty up to $50/day for continuing violations. Failure ordered to be corrected to avoid liability.
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