Woodbury, MN Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

Chapter 7, the Land Disturbance and Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance, generally requires a land disturbance permit for excavation work in Woodbury. Section 7-5 lists exemptions from that permit, and subsection (2) covers excavation below finished grade for a retaining wall (or basement or footing) authorized by a valid building permit. That exemption is narrow: it does not excuse the excavated material itself from separate permitting requirements, and it does not apply at all once the retaining wall's unsupported height exceeds five feet after construction is complete.

In practice, a homeowner or contractor with a valid building permit for a retaining wall five feet tall or shorter can proceed without a separate land disturbance permit, but any taller wall pulls the project back under the full chapter 7 permit process, including the application, plans and specifications, and financial security requirements described in sections 7-6 through 7-8. Section 7-12 also requires cut and fill slopes near a retaining wall to observe setback distances from site boundaries, and the city can require additional setbacks, retaining walls, or erosion controls under 7-12(c) where a fill slope sits near an adjoining developed property.