Salem requires a building permit for any retaining wall taller than 4 feet (measured footing-to-top). Walls 4 feet or under are generally exempt from permits. Walls over 4 feet must include engineer-stamped drawings from an Oregon-licensed structural engineer under SRC Chapter 56.
SRC Chapter 56 (Building Code) adopts the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC), which exempts retaining walls 4 feet or less in height — measured from bottom of footing to top of wall — from permit requirements, unless the wall supports a surcharge or ascending slope exceeding 3:1. Walls exceeding 4 feet require a City of Salem building permit, engineered drawings stamped by an Oregon-licensed structural or civil engineer, and inspection. Fence-retaining wall combinations are treated separately under SRC Ch. 800 (General Development Standards), which also governs fence heights: 8 ft at interior rear/side lines, 6 ft at rear/side lines bordering a street, and 4 ft within 10 ft of a front property line adjacent to a street.
Unpermitted retaining walls over 4 feet may trigger stop-work orders, mandatory removal, and civil penalties under SRC § 56.990. Fines up to $500 per day for continued non-compliance.
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