Retaining walls and block walls in Santa Clara, UT
Walls and drainage for Santa Clara's hillside homes and the neighborhoods along the Santa Clara River.
Santa Clara is a smaller city of about 8,700 people between St. George and Ivins, with older neighborhoods near the Santa Clara River and newer homes climbing the hills above it. Wall projects range from replacing older block walls to retaining walls on hillside lots and drainage fixes.
Why does drainage matter so much near the river?
In January 2005, roughly a foot of rain fell in 48 hours and the Santa Clara River tore through Santa Clara and St. George. The National Weather Service reported more than 28 homes destroyed, many by bank erosion rather than standing water. Homeowners near washes and the river have good reason to think about where runoff goes, how a wall drains, and what's below the footing. Walls near drainage channels may also involve city or county review.
Who handles permits?
Santa Clara has its own building department. Ask them about permit and engineering thresholds before building retaining walls near 4 feet tall, walls near a wash, or walls supporting a driveway or structure.
What do Santa Clara wall projects usually involve?
- Replacing older block walls in established neighborhoods
- Retaining walls on hillside lots
- Drainage and grading fixes near washes
- Walls and terraces for patios and pools
Common questions
Is my Santa Clara home at risk from flooding?
Homes near the Santa Clara River and washes can be. The 2005 flood destroyed homes mainly through bank erosion. Ask the city about floodplain and erosion-hazard maps for your lot.
Who issues wall permits in Santa Clara?
The City of Santa Clara's building department. Ask before building retaining walls near 4 feet, walls near a wash, or walls supporting a load.
Services in Santa Clara
- Block walls & privacy wallsNew concrete block walls for backyards, side yards and property lines.
- Retaining wallsEngineered walls that level sloped lots and hold grade changes between yards.
- Wall repair & replacementFixes for block and retaining walls that are leaning, cracking or falling over.
- Wall drainage & runoff fixesWeep holes, drain rock and grading that keep storm water from pushing walls over.
- Terraces, pool & RV pad wallsTiered walls, pool-area walls and RV pad walls that turn slopes into usable space.
Nearby areas
Block wall leaning or cracking?
A wall that's moving can fall without much warning. Keep kids, pets and cars clear and call to get it looked at.