St. Petersburg, FL Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Two St. Petersburg City Code provisions govern retaining walls. ' On a waterfront lot, a retaining wall may go to the property line or seawall, but its height cannot exceed the top of the existing seawall, and the table notes federal and state regulations may be more restrictive. Separately, chapter 7 of the Code, Boats, Beaches and Waterways, requires an actual construction permit: § 7-38 states that before the construction or alteration of any seawall, bulkhead, retaining wall or rock revetment, or before the placement of rip-rap, a permit must be obtained from the POD.

The applicant must submit detailed specifications showing the structure's location relative to adjoining land, water and channels, plus any plans the POD reasonably requires; the POD issues the permit on a finding that the work will not violate any law or endanger public health and safety, and every seawall, bulkhead, retaining wall, rock revetment or rip-rap must meet the minimum engineering standards and specifications the City engineering department keeps on file. Section 7-39 separately makes it unlawful to maintain a retaining wall that impedes boat traffic, creates a swimming hazard, or endangers adjacent structures.