Sahuarita, AZ Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Retaining walls in Sahuarita are regulated under the Town's adopted building code, which follows International Building Code (IBC) standards. Walls retaining four feet or less of unbalanced fill generally do not require a building permit, though they must still meet code requirements for materials, drainage, and stability. Retaining walls exceeding four feet require a permit from the Sahuarita Building Safety Division, and the application must include engineered construction drawings stamped by a licensed Arizona professional engineer. Walls that support a surcharge (such as a driveway, structure, or slope above the wall) may require engineering regardless of height because the additional loading changes the structural requirements. The Sonoran Desert terrain around Sahuarita, particularly in hillside areas near the Santa Rita Mountains and along wash corridors, often necessitates retaining walls to manage drainage, prevent erosion, and create buildable pad areas. The Town's grading and drainage regulations work in conjunction with retaining wall requirements to ensure that walls do not redirect stormwater onto adjacent properties or into public rights-of-way. Retaining walls along property boundaries should be set back from the property line unless an easement agreement exists with the neighbor. Materials commonly used in Sahuarita include reinforced concrete masonry block, poured concrete, and segmental retaining wall systems. Natural stone walls are also used for aesthetic purposes in desert landscaping but must meet structural requirements if they retain significant grade changes.