Fence and Retaining Wall Permit in Fernley, Nevada
VerifiedFences and retaining walls in Fernley are exempt from a building permit below specific height thresholds under the adopted IRC/IBC Section 105.2 (R105.2 residential); a building permit is required only above those thresholds.
Verified 2026-07-03 · Source
When you need this permit
- Fences not over 7 feet (2,134 mm) high: EXEMPT from a building permit, both residential and commercial (adopted IRC/IBC Section 105.2, item 2)
- Fences over 7 feet high: a building permit IS required (not separately exempted by the code section published by the City)
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet (1,219 mm) in height, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and NOT supporting a surcharge: EXEMPT from a building permit (residential and commercial)
- Commercial retaining walls not over 4 feet are also exempt unless supporting a surcharge OR impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids (per the commercial exemption list, a stricter standard than residential)
- Retaining walls over 4 feet, or any wall supporting a surcharge regardless of height, require a building permit
Required documents
- Required
Building Permit Application - EZ (Commercial and Residential) or Residential Building Permit Application
Used for fences/retaining walls exceeding the exempt thresholds; no fence- or wall-specific dedicated application form was found on the City's Applications page
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fence/retaining wall permit (above exempt threshold) — valuation-based | Based on ICC BVD valuation tables and/or contract value applied to the City's Building Permit Fee Schedule, plus 65% plan review fee | City of Fernley Resolution 20-009, Exhibit A; no dedicated flat fence/wall fee line was found — falls under the general valuation-based provision |
Review timeline
Not published
Fernley does not publish a plan-review timeline — contact the building department for current turnaround.
Inspection process
- 1
Footing
Required for permitted retaining walls before backfill, to verify footing depth and reinforcement
- 2
Final
Completed fence/wall verified against approved plans
Tips
- Most residential fences in Fernley (7 feet and under) never need a permit at all.
- The 4-foot retaining-wall exemption is measured from the BOTTOM of the footing to the TOP of the wall, not just exposed height — a wall with a deep footing may exceed 4 feet total and require a permit even if it looks short above grade.
- Any retaining wall that supports a surcharge (e.g., a slope, driveway, or additional load behind it) requires a permit regardless of height.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to build a retaining wall in Fernley?
- Only if the wall is over 4 feet high (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) or if it supports a surcharge of any kind. Source: City of Fernley 'Work Exempt from Building Permits' handouts (adopted IRC/IBC Section 105.2).
Sources & verification
Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
- City of Fernley Building Division (Building & Safety Division) — official building department
- Work Exempt from Building Permits - Residential (PDF) | City of Fernley
- Work Exempt from Building Permits - Commercial (PDF) | City of Fernley
- Resolution 20-009, Building Permit & Development Services Fee Schedule (PDF) | City of Fernley
Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Fernley building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
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