Sioux Falls follows the adopted International Residential Code: retaining walls 4 feet or less in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) are exempt from a building permit unless the wall supports a surcharge or impounds liquids. Walls over 4 feet, walls supporting a driveway or other load, and walls retaining water require a building permit from Building Services.
Sioux Falls has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code and 2021 International Building Code via Title XV. Under the IRC Section R105.2 exemption list as carried into the Sioux Falls Building Code, residential retaining walls not over 4 feet in height (footing-to-top) are exempt from a building permit if they do not support a surcharge or impound liquids. Once a wall exceeds 4 feet, supports a structure or driveway above, or is part of a tiered system that effectively functions as a single taller wall, a building permit is required and engineered drawings may be requested. Frost-line considerations in Sioux Falls (42+ inches) make footing depth a routine plan-review issue. Retaining walls inside the public right-of-way or within a drainage/utility easement require additional review by Public Works. Building Services (605-367-8670) coordinates plan review and inspection. SDCL § 9-29-1 supports the city's adoption and enforcement of building codes, supplemented by home-rule authority under SDCL Chapter 6-12.
Constructing a retaining wall over 4 feet without a permit, building tiered walls designed to evade the 4-foot threshold, or placing a wall in the public right-of-way without Public Works approval can trigger a stop-work order, after-the-fact permit fees, and required engineering certification. Continuing violations are charged under the city's general penalty provisions as a municipal infraction.
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