Create a Site Plan for Retaining Wall Permits

Draw Wall Placement to Scale and Export a Permit-Ready PDF. Show your retaining wall location on a professional site plan with accurate measurements and property line distances.

Draw Wall Placement to Scale and Export a Permit-Ready PDF

Show your retaining wall location on a professional site plan with accurate measurements, property line distances, and a north arrow.

When Is a Retaining Wall Site Plan Required?

Many jurisdictions require a site plan when building retaining walls.

  • Walls Above Certain Heights

    Most cities require permits for retaining walls over 4 feet tall, though requirements vary by location.

  • Near Property Lines

    Walls close to property boundaries often require a site plan showing setback distances.

  • Hardscape Permits

    Landscaping and hardscape permits typically require showing all structures including retaining walls.

Show Wall Location at Scale

Our editor includes everything you need to create a professional retaining wall site plan.

  • Draw to Scale - Place your retaining wall accurately on your property using aerial imagery
  • Label Wall Length - Add dimension labels to show the length of your retaining wall
  • Measure Distances - Show setbacks from property lines, buildings, and other structures
  • North Arrow Included - Automatic north arrow orientation for permit compliance
  • Topography Contours - View elevation contour lines to understand grade changes and slopes

How to Create Your Retaining Wall Site Plan

  • Enter your address

    Start by entering the property address. We load your property with aerial imagery and boundary lines automatically.

  • Draw your retaining wall

    Use our drawing tools to place your retaining wall location and show the wall length.

  • Add measurements and setbacks

    Label distances from property lines, structures, and add any grade change information.

  • Export your site plan

    Download a professional, permit-ready PDF with scale indicator and north arrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a retaining wall site plan?
A retaining wall site plan is a scaled, overhead drawing of your property that shows the proposed location and layout of your retaining wall. It includes property boundaries, existing structures, the wall location with dimensions, setback distances from property lines, and grade change information.
When do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
Most jurisdictions require permits for retaining walls over 4 feet in height, though some areas set the threshold at 3 feet or even lower. Walls that support a surcharge, walls near property lines, or walls that affect drainage typically require permits regardless of height.
What information should be on a retaining wall site plan?
A complete retaining wall site plan should include property boundaries with dimensions, the wall location and length, setback distances from property lines and structures, existing and proposed grades, drainage provisions, and a north arrow and scale indicator.
How long does it take to create a retaining wall site plan?
With Site Plan Creator, you can complete your retaining wall site plan in approximately 20-30 minutes.
Can I create my own retaining wall site plan?
Yes, you can create the site plan for your retaining wall permit using Site Plan Creator. However, retaining walls over a certain height (typically 4 feet) often require engineered structural drawings in addition to a site plan.
What happens if my retaining wall permit is rejected?
The building department will provide feedback on what needs to be corrected. With Site Plan Creator, you can easily revise your site plan based on their feedback and download an updated PDF to resubmit at no additional cost.
How much does Site Plan Creator cost?
Site Plan Creator offers affordable pricing for creating permit-ready site plans. View pricing details.
What are common retaining wall setback and height requirements?
Your property's specific requirements depend on its zoning district. Our tool instantly shows you the setback and height limits for your address. Common requirements include setbacks of 2-5 feet from property lines for walls under 4 feet.

A retaining wall permit requires more documentation than most homeowners expect. Unlike a simple fence or shed, retaining walls interact directly with soil pressure, groundwater, and gravity — making accurate site plan documentation essential for both permit approval and long-term structural safety. Permit applications typically require a site plan showing the wall's location relative to property lines, structures, and utility easements, along with grade elevations on both the retained and exposed faces. Anyone planning a wall over a certain height — commonly 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing — will likely face additional engineering scrutiny. If you're new to this process, it helps to first understand what a site plan is and what information it needs to convey to a building department reviewer.

Permit Requirements for Retaining Walls

Most jurisdictions follow the International Building Code (IBC) or its residential counterpart, the IRC, which triggers engineered design requirements for walls exceeding 4 feet in height from footing bottom to top of wall. Some municipalities lower this threshold to 3 feet, particularly in areas with expansive soils or seismic activity. Your site plan should clearly document:

  • Top-of-wall and bottom-of-footing elevations at regular intervals along the wall's length
  • Setbacks from property lines, structures, and recorded easements
  • Drainage provisions, including weep holes, gravel backfill zones, or perforated drain pipe locations
  • Surcharge loading — any structure, driveway, or vehicle load within a horizontal distance equal to the wall height must be disclosed, as it increases lateral soil pressure calculations
  • Existing and proposed contour lines showing how the wall modifies site drainage patterns

Walls built in series — sometimes called terraced walls — are often regulated as a single tall wall if the horizontal spacing between tiers is less than twice the height of the lower wall. Check your local amendments carefully, as this rule varies. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center is also worth consulting if your wall is near a floodplain, since retaining structures can affect base flood elevations and may require additional review.

Practical Tips for Retaining Wall Site Plans

One of the most common mistakes applicants make is omitting existing topography from their site plan. Reviewers need to see both existing and proposed grades to evaluate drainage impact and verify the wall height calculation. Use spot elevations at the top and toe of the wall at every corner and at intervals no greater than 10 feet along curved sections.

  • Always show the drainage outlet location — reviewers want to confirm water isn't being directed toward a neighbor's property or a foundation
  • If a driveway or parking area sits within the surcharge zone, note the expected vehicle load (typically 250–300 lbs/sq ft for standard passenger vehicles)
  • For walls requiring a structural engineer's stamp, the site plan and the engineer's calculations are usually submitted together — confirm this with your building department before applying
  • Tiered wall systems should be dimensioned showing horizontal offset between each tier, not just individual heights

Contractors handling grading and hardscape projects frequently encounter retaining wall permit requirements alongside other site improvements — the fence and deck site plan documentation process shares several overlapping requirements worth reviewing. For authoritative guidance on soil lateral pressure standards referenced by engineers, the ICC's technical resources on lateral earth pressure provide a solid foundation for understanding what your engineer's calculations must address.