Retaining walls over 4 feet tall in Saint Paul require a building permit and engineered plans. Only segmental block, CMU, or poured concrete walls are generally approved by the city.
Saint Paul regulates retaining walls through the building code enforced by the Department of Safety and Inspections. Retaining walls that do not exceed 4 feet in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, are generally exempt from permit requirements unless they support a surcharge or impound Class I, II, or III-A liquids. Walls exceeding 4 feet require a building permit and engineered plans stamped by a licensed professional engineer. The city and Ramsey County generally approve only segmental retaining walls (interlocking block systems) and concrete masonry unit (CMU) or poured concrete walls. Other materials may require special approval. In historic districts, retaining walls of any height require a permit and Heritage Preservation Commission review. Proper drainage behind the wall is required to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup.
Building a retaining wall over 4 feet without a permit can result in a stop-work order, mandatory engineering review, and potential requirement to remove and rebuild the wall. Administrative fines may be assessed for continued noncompliance.
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See how Saint Paul's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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