Concrete Retaining Walls in Kirkland, WA

Retaining walls in Kirkland: what to know

Kirkland’s guidance sets the permit line for a rockery or retaining wall at four feet, and walls above that height need a permit. A wall on a steep, wet, or shoreline site can need review even when it is shorter, because permit exemptions do not apply in critical areas. We measure each wall from the footing to the top and note any slope or load above it, since the permit decision starts with those measurements.

The drain behind the wall needs an outlet that stays on the property. The city’s code bars non-stormwater discharges into the municipal storm drain system, with listed exceptions, so a wall drain that ties into a public line needs city review. Altering an existing drainage facility also needs city approval and a permit (KMC 15.52.120), which matters when a wall changes how water moves across the lot.

Permits and rules in Kirkland

We confirm the wall height and any critical area status for your address before we quote, because exemptions do not apply in flood hazard, wetland, steep slope, shoreline, or other critical areas. A wall that changes a drainage facility or reaches the public right-of-way goes through Public Works as well. We check the drain outlet against the city’s discharge rules before the footing is set.

Kirkland’s permit guidance requires a permit for rockeries and retaining walls over four feet. Driveway replacement and any work in the public right-of-way need a Public Works permit. Sidewalks 30 inches or less above grade may not need a building permit when they are not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route. Permit exemptions do not apply in areas of flood hazard, wetland, steep slope, shoreline, or other land use critical areas. Rules change, so we confirm the current requirements with the city before we start.

How we approach it

Measure each wall from the footing to the top and record the slope above
Check the lot for a critical area before choosing the permit track
Route the wall drain to an outlet that stays on the property
Keep the wall and its drain out of the public right-of-way

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 Kirkland

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

Questions from Kirkland homeowners

How tall can a Kirkland rockery be without a permit?

Kirkland’s guidance requires a permit for a rockery or retaining wall over four feet. Walls four feet or shorter still need a check when they sit in a critical area, because permit exemptions do not apply there.

Does a critical area change the rockery rule in Kirkland?

It does. Permit exemptions do not apply in flood hazard, wetland, steep slope, shoreline, or other critical areas, so a short wall on a steep or wet site can still need review. We confirm that before the design starts.

Can a Kirkland wall drain tie into the public storm system?

The city’s code bars non-stormwater discharges into the municipal storm drain system, with listed exceptions, so a wall drain that ties in needs city review. We settle the outlet on your property before the footing is set.