Longview, WA Retaining Wall 4-Foot No-Permit Limit & 2:1 Tiered Wall Rule

Meets Base WA IRC R105.2 Dimensional Exemption (Subject to Local Setbacks & Site Overlays)

City of Longview Base WA IRC R105.2 Dimensional Rule:
≤ 4.0 feet (48 inches) measured from the BOTTOM of the buried footing to the top of the wall (~3 ft visible above grass), with zero slope/driveway surcharge and ≥ 2x height horizontal spacing on terraced walls.

Local Setback & Municipal Note (City of Longview):
Exempt ≤ 4.0 ft from bottom of footing to top of wall without surcharge. Columbia Heights hillside cuts or tiered walls closer than 2x lower wall height require engineered permits.

⚠️ Informational Code Reference Only — Not an Official City Determination: Even when a deck, wall, shed, or fence meets the base WA IRC R105.2 dimensional threshold, local property-line setbacks, critical-area/wetland buffers, shoreline overlays (e.g., Kalama/Columbia/Lewis rivers), steep-slope geohazard zones, utility easements, separate electrical/plumbing permits, and HOA rules still apply. The property owner and contractor of record are solely responsible for verifying parcel rules with the local permit counter before work begins.

Check Your Exact Dimensions in the Interactive Checker → Run 2026 Cost Estimator (Direct Quotes: Cowlitz & Clark Co., WA Only)

Frequently Asked Questions (Longview, WA)

1. How tall can a retaining wall be without a permit in Longview, WA?

In City of Longview (WA IRC R105.2), a retaining wall up to 4.0 feet (48 inches) tall measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall does not need a building permit, provided it does not support a sloped bank, driveway, or structure surcharge.

2. Can I build two 3.5-foot tiered retaining walls without a permit in Longview, WA?

Only if the upper wall is set back horizontally at least 2 times the height of the lower wall (the 2H:1V rule, e.g., 7+ feet back). If terraced walls are placed closer together, City of Longview treats them as one combined structural wall requiring engineering and a permit.

More City of Longview Permit & Cost Lookup Guides

Longview, WA Deck Rules Longview, WA Retaining Wall Rules Longview, WA 200 Sq Ft Shed Rules Longview, WA Fence Height Rules