Portland requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet from bottom of footing to top of wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge, under PCC Title 24.
PCC Title 24 and the Oregon Residential Specialty Code require a building permit for retaining walls 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 or sloped fill. Walls under 4 feet in simple conditions may be exempt but must still meet setback and drainage rules. Walls in landslide hazard areas require geotechnical review. Portland's West Hills and bluff neighborhoods commonly trigger engineered wall design. Permits include structural, grading, and erosion control components. Working without a permit can double permit fees and require wall removal.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how Portland's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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