Concrete Retaining Walls in Gig Harbor, WA

Retaining walls in Gig Harbor: what to know

GHMC 15.10.020, the city’s residential amendment, exempts a wall of four feet or less when its height runs from the footing’s underside to the top, provided no surcharge bears on it. A wall outside that exemption is not exempt from the building permit. Grading that supports a wall is also on the city’s grading list, and the list’s 50-cubic-yard and one-foot lines apply to excavation and fill generally.

Walls that reach into the public right-of-way fall under the encroachment permit, because GHMC 12.02.010 requires a permit before excavating, grading, or paving work on improvements located over, under, or upon the right-of-way. On a waterfront lot, the city’s Shoreline Master Program defines shoreline jurisdiction as the upland area within 200 feet of the ordinary high water mark, so we check the parcel against that boundary before the wall is designed. We plan the drain outlet on the lot.

Permits and rules in Gig Harbor

We take each wall’s height from the footing’s underside to the top, record any surcharge, and check the grading list for backfill and excavation. We confirm the right-of-way line and the shoreline boundary for your address before the design is fixed, and we verify the drain outlet with the city before the footing goes in.

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 its footing underside to the crest
Record any load behind the wall before the height is fixed
Check the wall line against the right-of-way and shoreline boundary
Plan the drain outlet inside the property line before footing work

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 Gig Harbor

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

Questions from Gig Harbor homeowners

What wall height clears the building permit in Gig Harbor?

Four feet or less, with the height taken from the footing’s underside to the top, when no surcharge bears on the wall. That exemption comes from GHMC 15.10.020, the city’s residential amendment.

Where does a Gig Harbor wall meet the encroachment permit?

When a wall’s work reaches into the public right-of-way, such as excavating or placing materials that could obstruct it. GHMC 12.02.010 requires a permit before that work starts, so we check the right-of-way line before the footing is set.

Does grading for a Gig Harbor retaining wall need a permit?

It can. The grading list covers grading that supports a wall and sets thresholds at 50 cubic yards or one foot in depth, so we measure the backfill and excavation before the crew starts.