Retaining walls over 4 ft tall (from bottom of footing to top) require a building permit and engineered drawings in Yonkers. Walls with surcharge loads require engineering at any height.
Under NY State Building Code, retaining walls exceeding 4 ft in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) require a building permit, and walls supporting a surcharge (driveway, structure) require engineered drawings regardless of height. Yonkers' hilly topography makes retaining walls common. The Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings reviews plans. Walls affecting drainage patterns may also require DPW review.
Unpermitted retaining walls: stop-work order, fines, possible required removal/reconstruction.
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