Kern County, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit threshold
- Over 4 ft measured from bottom of footing to top of wall (KCC Section 17.08.060, amending CBC 105.2)
- Always needs a permit
- Any wall supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids
- Property-line walls
- Walls retaining soils within a 2:1 slope of the lowest finished grade at the property line must be 6-inch minimum masonry or concrete
- Zoning height measurement
- Retaining portion of a wall not counted toward fence/wall height limits (KCZO Section 19.08.210(C))
- Where to apply
- Kern County Public Works Building and Development; Accela online permitting (accela.kerncounty.com)
Summary
In unincorporated Kern County, a retaining wall needs a building permit if it is over 4 feet tall measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or if it supports a surcharge or impounds Class I, II, or III-A liquids at any height. The retaining portion of a wall does not count toward the county's zoning height limits for fences and walls.
17.08.060 Section 105.2 amended - Work exempt from permit.
A. Section 105.2 is amended by replacing building items 1, 2, 3 and 4 to read as follows:
Building [...]
4. Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.
EXCEPTIONS:
a. Supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.
b. Walls retaining soils within a 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) slope of the lowest finished grade at property line shall be constructed from 6-inch minimum nominal thickness masonry or concrete, unless a permitted retaining wall or otherwise exempt retaining wall is protecting the property line. Other construction materials may be approved on a case by case basis by the building official.
Unless otherwise exempted, separate plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits will be required for any exempted items.
Full Breakdown
2 so that retaining walls not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, are exempt from a building permit. The exemption does not apply to walls supporting a surcharge (such as a sloped backfill, driveway, or structure above) or impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids. Walls retaining soils within a 2:1 (horizontal to vertical) slope of the lowest finished grade at the property line must be built from masonry or concrete at least 6 inches in nominal thickness unless a permitted or otherwise exempt retaining wall protects the property line; the building official may approve other materials case by case.
2). 210(C) measures fence and wall height from the finished interior grade and excludes the portion of a wall functioning as a retaining wall from the overall fence or wall height. Permits are issued by Kern County Public Works, Building and Development, through the county's Accela online permitting system.
Violations & Fines
Building a retaining wall that requires a permit without one is a violation of the Kern County Building Code and can result in a stop-work order and code-enforcement action; the owner may have to obtain a permit retroactively (typically with engineering for the as-built wall) or remove the wall. A non-exempt wall along a property line that does not meet the 6-inch masonry or concrete standard can also be required to be corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in unincorporated Kern County?
How is the 4-foot retaining wall height measured in Kern County?
Does a retaining wall count against Kern County's 6-foot fence height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California fence regulations overview
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