Retaining Wall Permits on the Palos Verdes Peninsula: RPV, PVE, Rolling Hills, and RHE

Retaining walls are everywhere on the Peninsula, and permits for them are widely misunderstood. "Under four feet doesn't need a permit" is a half-truth here. Slope, what the wall holds up, and which city you're in can all trigger engineering, geology review, or design approval, even for a short wall.

Here's a city-by-city overview. Rules change and every lot is different, so confirm with the city before you design.

Why Short Walls on Slopes Get Extra Scrutiny

On a slope, the soil above a wall pushes harder, and if the wall can't drain, water pressure builds behind it. That's why cities look at what's above the wall, not just its height, and why drainage shows up on every set of plans.

Rancho Palos Verdes

RPV's Building & Safety Division requires a building permit and engineering calculations when:

• The wall is more than 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall.
• The wall supports a surcharge, such as a slope steeper than 6:1, a driveway, or nearby footings, at any height.
• The wall supports a structure, driveway, pool, or street.
• The wall is more than 30 inches tall and sits on or within 10 feet of a slope of 5:1 (20%) or steeper.

Every permitted wall also needs a geology site visit, where the city decides whether a soils report is required. Plans must be based on soils data and prepared by a licensed civil or structural engineer for walls over 4 feet, walls with a surcharge, walls near a bluff or slope, and shoring walls.

The city lists its process in this order: Planning approval, geology/soils approval, Building & Safety approval, Public Works approval, permit issuance, then inspections at the footing, the steel/block, the drains before backfill, and final.

Its handout says to contact Planning first, at (310) 544-5287 or planning@rpvca.gov. Planning measures wall height differently than Building & Safety and has its own requirements.

On drainage, RPV calls for a 4-inch perforated sub-drain in a 12-inch gravel pocket behind the wall, plus weep holes or solid outlet pipes. Water can't be drained onto neighboring properties or walkways.

Inside the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, wall and fence permits are allowed only as exceptions that don't involve grading or retaining walls.

Palos Verdes Estates

PVE has two layers of review. The Palos Verdes Homes Association Art Jury reviews the exterior appearance of nearly everything, and its handbook specifically lists fencing, retaining walls, garden walls, and raised planters.

The Art Jury's position is that no structure can be built or altered without its approval, and working-drawing approval from the Art Jury is required before the City will issue a building permit.

The City of Palos Verdes Estates handles construction: plan check, permits, and grading.

Under PVE's grading ordinance, a grading permit (decided by the Planning Commission or City Council) is needed when the building official requires an engineering geology report, when cut or fill exceeds 10 feet, when total cut and fill exceeds 250 cubic yards, or when it exceeds 100 cubic yards outside the house foundation, garage, and driveway.

Earlier grading within 24 months counts toward those limits.

Rolling Hills

Rolling Hills is a gated city with its own Planning Department at City Hall (2 Portuguese Bend Road) and a Planning Commission. According to the city:

• Walls 3 feet or less are allowed as an accessory structure, outside the front yard and setbacks.
• Walls over 3 feet require Site Plan Review, the city's discretionary review.
• A grading permit is needed for cut or fill of 3 feet or more, or disturbance over 2,000 square feet. Soil generally has to be balanced on site.

Rolling Hills has separate planning and building review requirements. Confirm the current routing for permits and any association review before submitting plans.

Rolling Hills Estates

Rolling Hills Estates uses grading thresholds and may require Planning Director or Planning Commission review based on the height and volume of earthwork and site slope.

Verify the thresholds with the city's Planning and Building staff before work begins. Grading plans must be signed by a civil engineer and show drainage and any retaining walls.

Driveway retaining walls are limited to 2 feet in the front setback and 5 feet behind it. The code names LA County Building & Safety's engineer as building official.

When You Need an Engineer

Assume you'll need an engineer when a wall is over 4 feet, holds up a slope, driveway, pool, or structure, sits near a slope, or is part of a slope repair.

A geotechnical engineer provides soil data, a civil or structural engineer designs the wall, and the city reviews both. Rosewood builds engineered hillside walls and coordinates with the engineer and city so the wall is built to approved plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Permit for a 3-Foot Retaining Wall in Rancho Palos Verdes?

Possibly. Under 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing, a wall usually doesn't need a building permit. That changes if it holds back a slope, driveway, or footing, or if it's over 30 inches and within 10 feet of a 20% slope. Check with Planning first.

How Is Retaining Wall Height Measured for Permits?

For RPV Building & Safety, height runs from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, not from visible grade. RPV Planning measures differently, so check both.

Does the Art Jury Need to Approve a Retaining Wall in Palos Verdes Estates?

Yes. The PVHA lists retaining walls, garden walls, fencing, and raised planters among the items it reviews, and Art Jury approval of working drawings is required before the City issues a building permit.

When Does a Retaining Wall Need an Engineer?

Generally when it's over 4 feet, supports a surcharge (slope, driveway, structure, or pool), sits near a slope or bluff, or when the city requires a soils report. In RPV, those walls need plans and calculations from a licensed civil or structural engineer.

Why Do Retaining Walls Fail on Hillsides?

Usually water pressure behind a wall that can't drain, which is why permitted RPV walls need a sub-drain, gravel, and weep holes or outlets. Undersized footings and unplanned loads above the wall are other common causes.

Plan the Wall Before You Build It

If you're planning a retaining wall, or worried about one that's leaning, call Rosewood Landscape at (424) 533-3600.

We're based in Palos Verdes Estates and build hillside walls across the Peninsula. We'll help you sort out what review your wall needs, bring in the right engineer, and build it to approved plans.

Contact Rosewood Landscape to discuss your retaining wall project →