Retaining walls up to 4 feet in exposed height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) do not require a building permit in Richmond unless they support a surcharge. Walls over 4 feet, or any height if supporting a surcharge, require engineered design and a permit. Drainage is required behind all walls.
Retaining walls in Richmond are regulated under the California Building Code as adopted locally in RMC Title 6. Walls with an unbalanced fill height of 4 feet or less, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, are typically permit-exempt if they do not support a surcharge load (such as a slope above, a vehicle driveway, a pool, or a structure). Walls over 4 feet, or any wall supporting a surcharge regardless of height, require a building permit with engineered structural calculations by a California-licensed civil or structural engineer. Drainage provisions behind the wall (gravel backfill, weep holes, or perforated pipe) are required by code to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup. Walls on or near property lines may require setback consideration and geotechnical review on sloped lots. Stacked terraced walls are evaluated as a single wall if spaced closer than twice the height of the lower wall. Failure to permit a required wall can result in stop-work orders, fines, and removal requirements. Richmond's hillside and shoreline areas warrant particular care due to expansive soils and seismic risk.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Richmond, CA
Amplified sound in Richmond requires consideration of time, place, and audibility. Outdoor amplified music audible beyond the property line during quiet hour...
Richmond, CA
Construction and demolition activity in Richmond is generally permitted Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Constructio...
Richmond, CA
Richmond's nighttime quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on weekdays and Saturdays, and until 8:00 AM on Sundays and holidays. During these hours, ampli...
Richmond, CA
Richmond enforces the California Vehicle Code 72-hour continuous parking limit, permit-only zones in dense neighborhoods, and street sweeping restrictions po...
Richmond, CA
California bans private possession of most exotic animals under CA Fish & Game Code Β§2118 and 14 CCR Β§671. Prohibited animals include monkeys, ferrets, most ...
Richmond, CA
Wildlife in Richmond is protected under California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regulations. Feeding wildlife (raccoons, skunks, deer, coyotes) is ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle retaining walls.
See how Richmond's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.