Spring Hill, FL Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Hernando County Code Section 10-55 (Standards) applies to walls just as it does to fences: front-yard max 4 ft, side/rear max 8 ft, waterfront/golf course/common area 4 ft (with at least 25% openness for non-structural fence sections). Engineered structural retaining walls are separately regulated by the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code, Building Chapter 18 (Soils and Foundations) and Residential Chapter 4 (Foundations). A Hernando County building permit is required when the height from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall exceeds 4 feet, OR for any height that supports a surcharge (sloped earth, driveway, pool deck, vehicle load, structure). Engineered walls require drawings signed and sealed by a Florida-registered professional engineer. The Hernando County Building Division (789 Providence Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601, (352) 754-4050) issues the permit. Section 10-56 prohibitions apply to walls as well (no barbed wire, razor wire, broken glass, spikes on top). Wind-load review under FBC Section 1609 applies to taller masonry walls; Hernando County sits in the ~140 mph Vult zone per ASCE 7-22. The 2024 fence-permit amendment (Ord. 2024-07) covers fences and walls 'under 7 feet' for the Section 10-54 permit; the FBC structural retaining-wall permit requirement (over 4 ft from footing or any height with surcharge) is separate and continues to apply. Spring Hill is largely flat coastal plain, but properties near the Weeki Wachee springs, the Spring Hill Drive ridge, and the Suncoast Parkway berms may have grade changes that trigger engineered retaining-wall permits.