Concrete Retaining Walls in Edmonds, WA

Retaining walls in Edmonds: what to know

The load behind the wall sets the design. We measure the height above grade, the slope and any cut bank above the wall, and any vehicle, structure, or other load that sits behind it. Those measurements decide the footing and the backfill, so they are taken before a drawing is made. We do not state a height rule from memory: the city’s retaining walls handout (B62) is read against the address first.

The drain outlet gets the same care. Drainage behind a wall needs an outlet that cannot undermine the slope below it, so we pick a discharge point on your parcel, keep it away from the street and neighboring lots, and fix it on the drawings. We confirm the outlet with the city before the footing is excavated, and any work that reaches the street edge is reviewed with the public works office before we dig.

Permits and rules in Edmonds

We confirm the wall’s permit path against the retaining walls handout (B62) and the current city code before we quote. The drain outlet is confirmed with the city, and any work that reaches the street edge is reviewed with the public works office. Our quote names each answer that is still open, so you know which items are settled.

Rules change and vary by parcel, so we confirm the current requirements with the city before we start.

How we approach it

Measure the height, the cut bank, and any load behind the wall
Read the city’s retaining walls handout against the address
Plan the drain outlet on the parcel and confirm it with the city
Check the property line and street edge before the footing is set

For the full process, see our Retaining Walls page.

Building in the cold months? See our guide to winter concrete pours.

Our retaining walls work, serving Edmonds

Examples of our work. We build retaining walls in Edmonds and the cities around it. See all of our work

Questions from Edmonds homeowners

Does an Edmonds retaining wall need a permit?

The city’s retaining walls handout (B62) is the starting point, and we read it against your wall, its load, and its height before we answer. We confirm the permit path for your address before the price is final.

At what height does an Edmonds wall need a permit?

We do not state a height from memory. The retaining walls handout sets the rule we read for each address, and we give you the height limit that applies to your lot once it is confirmed.

Does soil pressing from above an Edmonds wall alter the design?

It can, because the bank pushes on the wall as well as the visible height. We measure the bank and its slope, then size the footing and the backfill for that load before drawings are made.