Stratford, CT Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

The Stratford Zoning Regulations, adopted by the Zoning Commission and effective 1-1-2025, define a retaining wall in Section 2.3 as "a structure built for the purpose of stabilizing soil or similar materials, mitigating erosion, or terracing, 36 inches or taller and not used to support, provide a foundation for, or provide a wall for a building or structure." A wall under 36 inches does not meet that definition.

Section 6.1.5(2) then addresses the wall in the yard rules. The yard requirements of the Regulations are not deemed to prohibit any retaining wall, fence, or wall, which means a retaining wall can stand inside a required yard. The condition attached is a height cap: no fence or wall shall exceed six feet in height above the finished grade for rear and side yards.

Section 6.1.5(7) handles hillside lots. On a property where there is significant slope or topographic change, no fence, wall, or combination thereof shall exceed eight feet in total height from the abutting property's side of the fence. A terraced yard that stacks a wall and a fence is measured as one combination against that eight foot ceiling.

In the MA, MB, MC and Airport Development Districts, Section 6.1.5(6) allows a fence or wall up to eight feet along side and rear property lines, and requires that no fence or wall create a traffic or safety hazard. Section 6.10 also bars any wall or other obstruction to vision more than three feet above top of curb within the 20 foot corner triangle at street intersections. Section 6.1.5 prints no engineering or stamped-plan requirement for a retaining wall, so ask the Building Department and the Zoning Administrator about permit steps for the specific wall.