Palm Desert, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

The wall rules in the City of Palm Desert sit in Municipal Code § 25.40.080, which applies to fences and walls within the RE, R-1, R-2, R-3 and PR districts on residential lots. Retaining walls get their own rows in Table 25.40-2. A retaining wall, or a retaining wall combined with a wrought iron fence, on a rear or interior side property line associated with a cut slope is limited to 6′-0″ from the highest adjoining grade, in decorative block, stucco or wrought iron. On a fill slope the retaining wall is limited to 6′-0″ from the lowest adjoining grade, in solid wall materials. A solid retaining wall topped with wrought iron on a fill slope is limited to 9′-0″ from the lower adjacent grade, with 6′-0″ as the maximum combination height measured from the higher adjacent grade.

Two footnotes tighten the fill-slope rows. Where a fill slope retaining wall is proposed next to a vacant lot that does not meet the City grading ordinance, the City engineer sets the lower adjacent grade from the minimum grade that lot needs for drainage. The department of public works can also require additional measures to mitigate adverse impacts of fill. Subsection F.1 states that wall height is measured from the higher finished grade adjoining the wall, while the fill slope row names the lowest adjoining grade. A wall adjacent to a public street needs an approved landscape plan, undulation of at least 18 inches or a pilaster at least every 30 feet, and a desert color finish.

Two provisions sit outside the zoning chapter. Section 15.02.020(D) amends the California Building Code so that retaining walls of any type not over 3 feet 6 inches, measured from the top of the footing to the top of the wall, are exempt from a building permit unless they support a structure or landscaping surcharge or impound Class I, II, or IIIA liquids, and the Planning Division still approves the location and materials. Section 27.28.140 says the director reviews wall design, height and location, all retaining walls are designed by a civil engineer, the city engineer approves the design, and a permit is obtained from the building official. It prints no height threshold.