The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code exempts retaining walls from the fence height and setback provisions of Section 4.6.7, so retaining walls in unincorporated Shelby County are not limited by the fence-height rules.
Under the Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code, Sub-Section 4.6.7A expressly states that retaining walls are exempt from the fence and wall provisions of Section 4.6.7. That means the four-foot front-yard and nine-foot side and rear fence limits do not apply to a true retaining wall in unincorporated Shelby County. A retaining wall holds back earth at a change in grade, unlike a freestanding fence or privacy wall, which remains subject to the full height and material rules. Retaining walls still must respect utility and drainage easements, and structural walls may require a building permit and engineered plans through the Develop901 portal and Construction Code Enforcement. Any combined fence-on-wall structure is regulated for the fence portion under Section 4.6.7.
Because retaining walls are exempt from Section 4.6.7 height limits, height alone is not a violation. But a wall built in an easement, causing drainage problems, or lacking a required permit can trigger enforcement by Construction Code Enforcement.
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