Skip to main content
PermitBase

Retaining Wall Permit in Highland, Utah

Required for all retaining walls in Highland from Planning/Zoning; walls exceeding 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing) or carrying a surcharge additionally require a building permit, per the city's official Notice to All Builders and Owners.

Verified 2026-07-07 · Source

When you need this permit

  • ALL retaining walls require a Planning/Zoning permit, regardless of height
  • Retaining walls exceeding 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing) OR carrying a surcharge require a building permit in addition to the Planning/Zoning permit

Required documents

Check off what you have — your progress is saved on this device.

Not ready yet — 0 of 1 required documents checked.

This checker covers one permit. A full project usually triggers several — our paid checklist will assemble all of them, from $29 →

Fee schedule

Retaining Wall Application FeeHighland City Comprehensive Fee Schedule, FY2025 and FY2026, § Planning & Zoning / Miscellaneous Fees: 'Retaining Wall Application ... $25.00.'
$25.00

Review timeline

Plan review
Not published — contact the department

How long did your Retaining Wall Permit permit actually take in Highland?

Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

Inspection process

    See the full Highland inspection guide — scheduling & re-inspection fees →

    Tips

    • Even a short retaining wall needs a Planning/Zoning permit in Highland — the building-permit trigger only kicks in above 4 feet (from bottom of footing) or when a surcharge load is carried.
    • If a retaining wall is being built alongside a fence, indicate it on the Fence Permit Application drawing as well, per the official form's checklist.

    Frequently asked questions

    Highland requires a retaining wall permit for: ALL retaining walls require a Planning/Zoning permit, regardless of height; Retaining walls exceeding 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing) OR carrying a surcharge require a building permit in addition to the Planning/Zoning permit. If your project isn't listed, confirm with Highland City Building Division (Community Development Department) at (801) 772-4516 before starting work.

    In Highland, the published Retaining Wall Application Fee is: $25.00. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

    Highland does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact Highland City Building Division (Community Development Department) at (801) 772-4516 for current turnaround.

    You'll need: Retaining Wall Application. See the required-documents checklist on this page for details on each.

    Apply through Highland City Building Division (Community Development Department) at 5400 W Civic Center Drive, Suite 1, Highland, UT 84003. Phone: (801) 772-4516, email: jnelson@highlandut.gov. Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed Friday; inspections available Mon–Thu 8:00 AM–6:00 PM by appointment via My City Inspector or (801) 772-4516, scheduled at least 24 hours in advance). Official information: https://www.highlandut.gov/96/Building.

    Highland, Utah has adopted: 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) — adopted, effective July 1, 2026 per Highland City's official Building Division page; the city states 'any submittals after July 1, 2026' must be designed to these standards.; 2024 International Building Code (IBC) — adopted, effective July 1, 2026 per Highland City's official Building Division page.; 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) — adopted, effective July 1, 2026 per Highland City's official Building Division page.; Other 2024 International Codes (IPC, IMC, IEBC, IECC) — Highland's Building Division page references adoption of 'other 2024 codes' alongside the 2024 IBC and 2023 NEC effective July 1, 2026, consistent with the statewide framework under Utah Code § 15A-1-204/Title 15A, but does not itemize each code title individually by name on the page; only the IRC, IBC, and NEC editions are explicitly named.. Local amendments apply — see the Highland overview page for the full list.

    Yes. Per the city's official Notice to All Builders and Owners, ALL retaining walls require a Planning/Zoning permit. Walls that exceed 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing) or that carry a surcharge additionally require a building permit.

    Sources & verification

    Verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-07-07.

    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 Highland building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

    Other permits in Highland

    Residential Building Permit (New Home)EV Charger / EVSE PermitResidential Addition / Remodel / Basement Finish PermitFence PermitSwimming Pool PermitSolar Panel (PV) PermitAccessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Registration/ApprovalCommercial Building PermitCommercial Tenant Improvement / Tenant Finish PermitSign PermitFire Sprinkler System Permit / Plan ReviewFire Alarm System Permit / Plan ReviewChange of Use / Change of Occupancy

    Retaining Wall Permit in other cities

    Alpine, UtahDraper, UtahEagle Mountain, UtahLehi, UtahMorgan County, UtahSouth Jordan, UtahSyracuse, UtahUnincorporated Cache County, Utah

    Compare retaining wall permit fees across Utah →

    Look up this fee in a different city →

    Embed this data card →

    Related guides

    Concrete / Driveway

    Now live

    Build your Highland project checklist

    Describe your project once and get every permit, document, and fee it triggers in Highland — in one checklist. Sign up and pay once to generate it, or go unlimited with Pro.

    Get started →