San Antonio, TX Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Code of Ordinances Sec. 6-188 requires every retaining wall subject to Article IX to be designed, constructed and maintained to resist the maximum lateral pressure of the retained material in accordance with accepted engineering practice, sized to the maximum load the supported land can carry during its present or intended use. A new retaining wall must be erected as a structurally sound wall built to plans and specifications prepared by a registered professional engineer, and the director of public works must approve those plans before a building permit is issued for the abutting land.

Sec. 6-186 applies the same engineer-and-approval requirement to repairs of existing walls. Sec. 6-183 separately bars anyone from erecting or maintaining a retaining wall on city-owned real estate for private purposes without council-granted permission by ordinance or contract. Sec. 6-189 requires the director of public works to periodically inspect retaining walls abutting a public highway, street, road or sidewalk that could create a dangerous condition, and to inspect any wall on complaint or on the director's own belief of a violation. A wall found dangerous under Sec.

6-192, such as one that leans past the middle third of its base, has deteriorated to the point of likely collapse, or lacks sufficient lateral support, is declared a public nuisance under Sec. 6-193 and must be repaired, vacated or demolished per Sec. 6-194, entirely at the owner's expense under Sec. 6-195.