Toms River, NJ Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 1/3 of distance to building
- Governing section
- § 348-8.7H(5)
- Approved materials
- Treated timber, concrete, reinforced masonry
- Design review
- Planning Board Engineer approval required
Summary
Toms River Township caps retaining wall height at one-third the horizontal distance to the nearest building foundation and requires engineered construction in slope-control areas.
Retaining walls installed in slope control areas shall be constructed of heavy treated timber or logs, reinforced concrete, other reinforced masonry or of other construction acceptable to the Planning Board Engineer and adequately designed and detailed on the development plans to carry all earth pressures, including any surcharges. The height of retaining walls shall not exceed 1/3 of the horizontal distance from the foundation wall of any building to the face of the retaining wall. Should the Township adopt, subsequently to this chapter, standard details for such construction, the same shall govern. (See § 348-8.20M.) [Amended 12-9-2003 by Ord. No. 3843-03]
(6) The developer shall take all necessary precautions to prevent any siltation of streams during construction. The developer shall provide adequate provisions in accordance with Chapter 438, Soil Disturbance, of the Code of the Township of Toms River, as amended or supplemented, to prevent all deposition of silt or other eroded material in any stream or watercourse. Such provisions may include but are not limited to construction and maintenance of siltation basins or holding ponds and diversion berms throughout the course of construction.
§ 348-8.8. Commercial or private club swimming pools.
A.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954830; v33 updated 2026-04-22; through 04-22-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under § 348-8.7H(5) of the Land Use and Development Regulations, retaining walls built in slope-control areas of a development must be heavy treated timber or logs, reinforced concrete, reinforced masonry, or another material the Planning Board Engineer accepts, and the design must be detailed on the development plans to carry all earth pressures, including surcharges. Height is capped at one-third of the horizontal distance from a building's foundation wall to the face of the retaining wall, so a wall 30 feet from a foundation can rise no more than 10 feet.
Violations & Fines
A retaining wall that exceeds the one-third height ratio or skips Planning Board Engineer review can be rejected at plan approval or ordered modified before a certificate of occupancy issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a retaining wall be in Toms River?
Does a Toms River retaining wall need engineering review?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Toms River
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Retaining Walls in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle retaining walls.