Santa Fe, NM Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Max retaining wall height
- 6 feet, base grade to top grade
- Taller grade changes
- Must be stepped/terraced
- Terrace separation
- Equal to height of higher wall
- Fence-on-wall combined cap
- Fence height limit plus 4 feet
- Overlapping rules
- Historic districts, corridor overlay, driveway visibility
- First-offense civil fine
- $100, rising to $500 by third offense
Summary
Santa Fe caps every retaining wall in the city at six feet, measured from the finished grade at the base to the finished grade at the top. Taller grade changes must be stepped or terraced, with each tier set back a distance equal to the height of the wall above it.
(1)The retaining wall height standards in this Section 14.8.5 apply to the portion of a wall, fence or similar structure that supports a higher finished grade on one side than on the other. The height of the retaining wall is measured from the finished grade at the base of the wall to the finished grade at the top of the wall...(B)Maximum Height of Retaining Walls and Fences (1)Maximum Height of Retaining Walls(a)No retaining wall shall exceed six (6) feet in height.(b)Retaining walls shall be stepped or terraced so that they are separated by a distance equal to the height of the higher wall.
Full Breakdown
5(A)(1) as the portion of a wall, fence or similar structure that holds back a higher finished grade on one side than the other; height is measured from finished grade at the base of the wall to finished grade at its top. A site that needs more than six feet of grade change can't simply build a taller single wall: it must be stepped or terraced into multiple tiers, and each tier has to be separated from the next by a horizontal distance at least equal to the height of the higher wall, so a hillside can't be walled off in one continuous face.
5(B)(3) caps the combined height too: the fence-on-wall combination cannot exceed the maximum allowable fence height plus four feet, measured from finished grade on the downslope side. 7.
Violations & Fines
Building a retaining wall over six feet without stepping it, or stacking a fence on top that pushes the combined height past the cap, is a Chapter 14 violation. The enforcement officer can order the excess portion removed or the wall reconstructed to comply under Article 14-11, and continued noncompliance carries civil fines of $100, $250 and $500 for repeat offenses within 36 months, plus the Section 1-3.1 general penalty of up to $500 or 90 days in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a retaining wall be in Santa Fe?
What if my lot needs more than six feet of retaining wall?
Can I put a fence on top of my retaining wall?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Fe
Compare Santa Fe to another location·View the New Mexico fence regulations overview
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