Retaining walls in Noblesville are governed by the Unified Development Ordinance and the Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4) adopted statewide under IC 22-12. Per the UDO, no retaining wall shall exceed eight (8) feet in height. Walls 48 inches or more in height may be tiered or terraced; the area between each tier must remain pervious and may not be paved or otherwise covered with impervious materials. The Noblesville Building Commissioner may require engineering on any retaining wall as deemed necessary, and walls over 4 feet (bottom of footing to top of wall) generally require a permit and engineered design under the Indiana Residential Code.
Noblesville's UDO retaining-wall provision provides: 'No retaining wall shall exceed eight feet in height,' and 'For retaining walls forty-eight (48) inches in height or more, retaining walls may be tiered or terraced. The area between each wall shall be pervious and may not be paved or otherwise covered with impervious materials.' Engineering review is discretionary with the Building Commissioner: 'The applicant shall submit such engineering on the structure as deemed necessary by the Building Commissioner.' Under the Indiana Residential Code 2020 (675 IAC 14-4.4 adopting the 2018 IRC with Indiana amendments) adopted statewide pursuant to IC 22-12, Section R404 governs foundation and retaining walls, and a building permit and engineered design by an Indiana-registered professional engineer is required for any retaining wall over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge such as a driveway, sloping backfill, or building foundation. The Noblesville Engineering Department (317-776-6330) reviews drainage impacts and the Department of Planning and Development administers the permit. Walls may not be placed within recorded easements without written consent, must respect zoning setbacks, and may not interfere with required sight-distance triangles. Article 12 of the UDO governs decorative wall materials when used for screening, requiring solid, opaque, wood or masonry construction in screening contexts.
Building a retaining wall taller than eight feet violates the UDO and may require demolition or redesign. Failing to keep the area between tiered walls pervious is a violation. Building any wall over 4 feet (bottom of footing to top of wall) without a permit and engineered drawings violates the Indiana Residential Code adopted under IC 22-12 and may result in a stop-work order, a missed-inspection fee, and a hold on future permits. Walls in recorded easements may have to be removed at the owner's expense.
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