Concrete Retaining Walls in Fall City, WA

Retaining walls in Fall City: what to know

Section 16.02.240 of the King County code exempts a retaining wall not over 4 feet tall, measured from the footing’s underside up to the top, provided it carries no added surcharge and holds back none of the liquids the code names. The county’s permit page says most retaining walls 4 feet high or less need no permit unless critical areas are present. A surcharge, a liquid load, or a critical area puts a wall back into review, so each one is checked against the parcel before the drawings are final.

Earth moved for a wall counts too. Excavation of 5 feet or more in any one location, fill of 3 feet or more in any one location, or cumulative excavation or fill above 100 cubic yards can each need a clearing and grading permit. We total the cut and fill for each wall before backfill.

Permits and rules in Fall City

We check each wall’s finished height from the footing against the 4-foot line, confirm whether a surcharge, a liquid load, or a critical area applies, and look up the county’s grading lines before the cut is made. Where the county’s permit page and its clearing guidance word the depth line differently, we ask King County which one applies. Walls that carry a load go to King County in writing, and the reply is kept with the drawings.

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

How we approach it

Measure the wall from the bottom of its footing to the crest
Check every surcharge and liquid load before drawing the wall
Total the cut and fill against the county’s grading lines
Record the drain outlet on the site plan before backfill

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 Fall City

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

Questions from Fall City homeowners

Is a Fall City retaining wall under four feet exempt from a permit?

Under section 16.02.240 of the King County code, a wall that rises no more than 4 feet from its footing is exempt, but an added surcharge, or a held liquid of a class the code names, takes it out of the exemption. The county’s permit page also says critical areas can change the answer, so we check the parcel before relying on the exemption.

What loads on a Fall City wall change the answer?

A surcharge, such as a driveway, parking area, or structure above or behind the wall, removes the exemption, and so does a liquid load of the kinds the code names. We identify each load on the site survey and confirm the answer with King County in writing where the load is not clear.

Does a Fall City wall drain need the county’s approval?

A drain that stays on the parcel is traced on the site plan and kept clear of the county right-of-way. Any outlet that reaches public land or a county road becomes a right-of-way question, since private work in county right-of-way needs a right-of-way use permit.