Macomb County does not zone private land, so retaining-wall permits and height rules come from your township, city, or village and the Michigan Building Code they enforce. Confirm requirements with your local building department before you build.
There is no countywide Macomb retaining-wall ordinance because zoning and building enforcement occur at the municipal level under Michigan's Zoning Enabling Act (MCL 125.3101 et seq.). Michigan communities administer the state-adopted Michigan Residential Code, which typically requires a permit and engineered design for retaining walls that hold back more than about four feet of soil, or for any wall carrying a surcharge such as a driveway or slope. Lower landscape walls are often exempt. Because each municipality adds its own setbacks and drainage rules, a wall that is permit-exempt in one community may need review in another. A boundary wall can also count toward the local fence-height limit, so check both building and zoning rules locally.
An unpermitted or undersized retaining wall can bring a municipal stop-work order, after-the-fact permit and engineering costs, civil-infraction fines, and an order to rebuild or remove the wall.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Warren, MI
Warren's noise ordinance (Chapter 21, Article II) prohibits unreasonably loud sounds that disturb peace. After 11:45 PM, police actively enforce disturbing t...
Warren, MI
Barking dogs that disturb the peace and comfort of neighbors are prohibited under Warren's nuisance ordinance (Chapter 21). Complaints handled through code e...
Warren, MI
Warren Code §21-29 prohibits construction, demolition, and excavation work between 7:30 PM–7:00 AM on weekdays, and 7:30 PM–8:00 AM on weekends and holidays....
Warren, MI
No local aircraft noise ordinance in Warren. Aircraft noise is regulated at the federal level by the FAA and subject to flight path agreements. Warren is in ...
Warren, MI
Warren Zoning Ordinance (Article V-A) regulates recreational vehicles. RVs may not be stored within the building setback (front yard) and must be at least 5 ...
Warren, MI
Warren regulates street parking under Chapter 34 and Chapter 37 of its Code of Ordinances (Traffic and Motor Vehicles). General MI Vehicle Code §257.674 appl...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Macomb County.
See how Warren's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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