Retaining walls in Rialto are governed by California Building Code §105.2 (adopted via Rialto Code Title 15) and zoning standards in §18.61.170. Any retaining wall over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge, requires a building permit.
Per California Building Code §105.2 Exception 3 (Title 24 CCR) as adopted in Rialto Code Title 15, retaining walls 4 feet or less in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall are exempt from building permits, UNLESS they support a surcharge (such as a driveway, vehicle load, or sloped soil above). Walls over 4 feet or supporting a surcharge require a building permit, engineered plans, and inspection by Rialto Building & Safety (150 S Palm Ave; 909-820-2505). Retaining walls along property lines are also subject to Rialto Code §18.61.170 height limits and the Cal. Civ. Code §841 boundary-fence rules if also functioning as a fence. Rialto's foothill exposure on the north side and historic perchlorate groundwater contamination make stormwater drainage compliance critical for retaining wall design.
Building retaining walls over 4 feet without a permit is a violation of Rialto Code Title 15 and California Building Code §105.2. Stop-work orders and required engineered as-built plans (at owner expense) typically result. Walls failing to meet structural standards must be removed or rebuilt.
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