Retaining Wall Permit in Bountiful, Utah
Required for retaining walls over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) in Bountiful.
Verified 2026-06-27 · Source
When you need this permit
- Retaining walls over 4 feet in total height
- Any retaining wall supporting a surcharge (driveway, structure, slope above)
- Retaining walls in a drainage or flood path
- Tiered walls where total retained height exceeds 4 feet
Required documents
- Req
Engineered Wall Plans
Stamped structural drawings from a licensed Utah PE
- Req
Geotechnical Report
Soil bearing capacity and lateral pressure analysis
- Req
Site Plan
Wall location relative to property lines, structures, and utilities
- Req
Drainage Plan
Behind-wall drainage, weep holes, and surface water management
Fee schedule
| Fee type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Building Permit | Valuation-based per current ICC data | — |
| Plan Review (Residential SFD) | 29% of permit fee | — |
| Street Damage Cash Deposit (Retaining >500 sqft) | $1,500 | — |
| State Surcharge | 1% of permit fee | — |
Review timeline
~10–21 business days
Typical estimate — confirm current times with the Bountiful building department
Inspection process
- 1
Footing
Footing excavation, rebar, and forms before concrete pour
- 2
Backfill/Drainage
Drainage gravel, pipe, and filter fabric before backfill
- 3
Final
Wall complete, drainage functional, site graded
Tips
- Retaining walls over 4 feet in Bountiful require engineered plans stamped by a Utah-licensed PE.
- Tiered walls must be separated by a distance equal to the height of the lower wall — otherwise they are treated as one wall.
- Drainage behind the wall is critical in Bountiful — most wall failures are caused by water pressure.
- Retaining walls near property lines may have setback requirements — verify with Bountiful planning.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Bountiful?
- Yes, if the wall is over 4 feet tall (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall), supports a surcharge, or is in a drainage path. Bountiful requires engineered plans for walls over 4 feet.
- Do I need an engineer for a retaining wall in Bountiful?
- Yes, for walls over 4 feet. Bountiful requires structural drawings stamped by a Utah-licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Many wall contractors have engineers they work with regularly.
Sources & verification
Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-27.
- Bountiful City Building Department — official building department
- Bountiful City Consolidated Fee Schedule (Ord. 2023-01)
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 Bountiful building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.
Other permits in Bountiful
Related guides
Get the AI compliance checklist
Upload your project scope, get a jurisdiction-specific checklist of everything you need. Coming soon.
We only use your email to send permit updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.