San Jacinto, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Section 17.315.050 sets three retaining wall rules in the City of San Jacinto. First, stepping: an embankment to be retained that is over 48 inches in height must be stepped so that no individual exposed retaining wall exceeds 48 inches, and each intervening step is a minimum of 36 inches wide. The section also states that slopes are discouraged.

Second, front setbacks: a retaining wall not exceeding 48 inches in total height can be allowed in a required front setback area, provided the coverage does not exceed 5% of that area. On corner lots a retaining wall cannot sit within the traffic visibility area of § 17.305.150, which at a street intersection is a triangle measured 25 feet along each street property line and at a driveway runs 15 feet along the driveway and 15 feet along the street line.

Third, hillsides: for a parcel on a hillside, the location and height standards for retaining walls can be modified under § 17.305.070 (Hillside Development).

When a retaining wall carries a fence, § 17.315.040(B) lets a solid fence of six feet be measured from the up-slope property so long as the total height, inclusive of any retaining wall, does not exceed 10 feet as measured from the down-slope property. Section 17.315.030(C) sends retaining walls back to § 17.315.050, and the residential accessory structure table in § 17.405.050 refers retaining walls to Chapter 17.315. The permit section of the same chapter, § 17.315.080(B), requires a building permit before a fence or wall is constructed. Landscape plans for projects in the Water Efficient Landscape chapter must also identify compliance with § 15.04.020 for graded slopes in excess of 15 feet in vertical height.