Oklahoma City, OK Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- City Code § 2-113
- Permit issuer
- City Engineer
- Base fee
- $100 + $151.50 per wall
- Engineered-drawing fee
- 6.9% down to 3.5% of cost
- Scope
- Right-of-way walls only, not private lots
Summary
Oklahoma City requires a revocable permit from the City Engineer before a retaining wall sits on or across public land or right-of-way, with a base fee of $151.50 when no engineered drawings are needed.
No private structure shall be situated on or across public lands or improvements unless a revocable permit is first obtained from the City Engineer. There shall be a fee for such a permit. The amount of such fee shall be as established in Chapter 60, the General Schedule of Fees.
(Code 1980, § 2-98; Ord. No. 18788, § 1, 6-30-87)
Cross reference— Engineering and construction, fee for revocable permit, § 60-2-17.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code Section 2-113 bars any private structure, retaining walls included, from sitting on or across public land or a City right-of-way without a revocable permit issued first by the City Engineer. Section 60-2-17 sets the fee: a $100 application charge plus $151.50 per structure when construction drawings aren't required, or a sliding percentage of estimated cost, from 6.9 percent down to 3.5 percent, when engineered drawings are needed. Retaining walls built entirely on private property fall outside this permit and are instead regulated under the City's adopted International Building Code.
Violations & Fines
Building or maintaining an unpermitted retaining wall on public land or right-of-way violates Section 2-113; the City Engineer can revoke encroachments, order removal, and permit fees under Section 60-2-17 still apply retroactively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this permit cover a retaining wall entirely in my backyard?
What does the Oklahoma City retaining wall permit cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
Compare Oklahoma City to another location·View the Oklahoma fence regulations overview
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Retaining Walls in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle retaining walls.