Richmond, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

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.