Prince George's County, MD Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- General max height
- 6 feet
- Exception max
- 10 feet
- Over 6 ft
- Meet zone setbacks
- Ordinance
- Zoning § 27-6609
Summary
Prince George's County's Zoning Ordinance limits retaining walls to 6 feet in height from finished grade, allowing up to 10 feet only for foundations, driveways, or as expressly permitted. Walls over 6 feet must meet the zone's building setbacks and terraces need landscaping.
A retaining wall may be permitted to support steep slopes but should not exceed six feet in height from the finished grade, except for: A structure's foundation wall, or … a driveway from the street to a garage … a retaining wall shall not exceed ten feet in height.
Full Breakdown
Section 27-6609 states a retaining wall may support steep slopes but should not exceed 6 feet in height from finished grade, except for a foundation wall, a driveway from street to garage, or as otherwise allowed, where it still must not exceed 10 feet. Retaining walls over 6 feet high must comply with the building setbacks of their zone unless site grades are lower. Any terrace between two 6-foot walls should be at least 3 feet wide, walls over 6 feet must be separated by 5 horizontal feet, and terraces must be permanently landscaped. Walls must be faced with stone, brick, or earth-colored materials and meet the Building Code.
Violations & Fines
Retaining walls exceeding 6 feet outside the listed exceptions, or over-6-foot walls that ignore zone setbacks, violate the ordinance and can require redesign, a variance, or removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a retaining wall be?
Do tall retaining walls have setbacks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince George's County
Compare Prince George's County to another location·View the Maryland fence regulations overview
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