Reno, NV Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Required before construction
- Fence-on-wall height
- Measured from top of retaining wall
- Governing code
- RMC § 18.04.809; Ch. 14.18
- Applies
- All zoning districts citywide
Summary
Reno requires a permit before building a retaining wall, and any fence stacked on top of one is measured from the retaining wall's own top, not from grade.
(b) Permit Required Construction of walls, fences, retaining walls, and vertical combinations of those items in the City of Reno shall require a permit in compliance with the provisions and standards stated in this article and in Chapter 14. ... (c)(3) Where a fence or wall is constructed on top of a retaining wall, the height of such fence or wall shall be measured from the top of the retaining wall.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Administrative Code: Supplement 64 | Land Development Code: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under Reno Municipal Code § 18.04.809, constructing a retaining wall in the city requires a permit under Title 18 and Chapter 14 standards before work starts. If a fence or wall sits on top of a retaining wall, the code measures that fence's height starting at the top of the retaining wall rather than from natural grade, so stacked combinations can't dodge the district's height limits. Some retaining walls also trigger a building permit under RMC Chapter 14.18.
Violations & Fines
Building a retaining wall without the required Title 18/Chapter 14 permit is a violation subject to city enforcement and correction orders; stacking a fence on an unpermitted or non-conforming retaining wall compounds the exposure since the combined height is measured from the retaining wall's top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Reno?
If I put a fence on top of my retaining wall, how is its height measured?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reno
Compare Reno to another location·View the Nevada fence regulations overview
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