Chesterfield County, VA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential permit fee
- $114.00 flat fee
- Commercial permit fee
- $119.00 flat fee
- Grouped with
- Decks, carports, gazebos, boat docks
- Issuing authority
- County building official
- Fee exemption
- Construction under $500 needing no other permit
- Unpermitted penalty
- Up to $2,500 fine, 30 days jail
Summary
A retaining wall built in Chesterfield County needs a building permit under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. County Code § 5-5(b)(2)(c)(5) sets a $114.00 residential permit fee for retaining walls, grouped with decks, carports and gazebos, while § 5-5(b)(4)(d)(3) charges $119.00 for a commercial retaining wall permit. No permit fee applies only if total construction costs less than $500.00.
c.Additions and other accessory structures .....399.00 1.Florida rooms, attached garages, detached garages with occupiable space .....392.00 2.Detached garages (no second floor occupiable space), double-door car shed, and finished pool house .....285.00 3.Alterations, and converting deck/porch/garage to finished space .....171.00 4.Porch and chimney additions .....171.00 5.Deck, carport, gazebo, dormers, greenhouse, unheated pool house, retaining wall, and boat dock with roof .....114.00 ... d.Flat fees: ... 3.Retaining walls .....119.00
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Chesterfield's building official administers the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for 'all buildings and structures which are constructed, altered, repaired or converted in use' (§ 5-1), and a retaining wall counts as a permitted accessory structure under the county's fee schedule. 00; sheds under 150 square feet need no permit). 00 in § 5-5(b)(4)(a). Every applicant must pay the applicable fee to the county treasurer when filing the permit application with the building official, and the fee covers the state levy the Commonwealth imposes to fund its building-inspector training program.
If the scope of the retaining wall project changes after the permit issues, § 5-5(a) requires a permit amendment and may add further fees. 00 and the work would not otherwise need any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing permit.
Violations & Fines
Because chapter 5 sets no dedicated fine for building without a permit, an unpermitted retaining wall falls under the Code's general penalty, § 1-5: a fine of up to $2,500.00 and up to 30 days in jail, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. The building official can also require the property owner to remove, repair or secure a wall that endangers public health or safety under § 5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a retaining wall in Chesterfield County?
How much does a commercial retaining wall permit cost?
What happens if I build a retaining wall without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chesterfield County
Compare Chesterfield County to another location·View the Virginia fence regulations overview
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