Santa Cruz, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

SCCC 13.10.525 regulates retaining walls together with fences within required yards, and the maximum-height table and corner sight clearance triangle limit (3 feet) apply to both. Wall height is measured from finished grade at the base to the top; on parcels sloping down from a right-of-way, from the curb or edge of shoulder nearest the wall. Separately, the County's 'When is a Building Permit NOT Required?' page explains a building permit is NOT required for retaining walls that retain no more than 3 feet of material, unless the wall supports a surcharge or impounds liquids. A surcharge exists where the wall retains over 1 foot of material and either the retained soil slopes steeper than 2:1 within twice the wall height, or a road or structure sits on the retained material within twice the wall height. Walls above these thresholds require a building permit (and, where they exceed the zoning yard height limits, an over-height certification under SCCC 13.10.525). In the Coastal Zone, retaining-wall development needs a coastal development permit unless exempt under SCCC 13.20.060 or 13.20.070. Combined fence-on-wall installations are evaluated against the same height limits.