Retaining walls and block walls in St. George, UT
Block walls, engineered retaining walls and repairs for hillside lots, older neighborhoods and new subdivisions across the city.
St. George has grown to roughly 109,000 people, and much of that growth has climbed onto ridges, benches and lava hills around the old town center. That means a lot of cut-and-fill lots, grade changes between neighbors, and block walls on nearly every property line. Calls here range from a new backyard block wall to rebuilding a retaining wall that's leaning under a pool deck.
What wall rules apply inside the city?
- Permit: retaining walls 4 feet or taller need a permit unless they're on an approved site plan. Concrete and block walls are measured from the top of the footing.
- Front setback: any fence or retaining wall there needs a permit. Retaining walls are limited to 4 feet in the front setback and aren't allowed in the first 10 feet behind the sidewalk.
- Maximum height: a single residential retaining wall can be up to 10 feet. Taller grade changes must be terraced with landscaped benches.
- Wall plus fence: a retaining wall with a solid fence on top can't show more than 15 feet of face on side, rear or interior lot lines.
- Near buildings: any retaining wall within 10 feet of a building needs a site-specific geotechnical report.
Why does soil matter so much here?
The Utah Geological Survey has mapped collapsible soils, expansive clays and gypsum-bearing soils across the St. George area. Collapsible soils can settle when they're wetted for the first time, often by new irrigation. Gypsum can dissolve and leave voids, and the sulfate in it attacks ordinary concrete, which is why sulfate-resistant cement is common in local footings. A builder who works here regularly will know which neighborhoods need extra care.
What do St. George wall projects usually involve?
- Block privacy walls around new backyards
- Retaining walls between lots at different grades, with a privacy wall on top
- Walls for pools, RV pads and side-yard parking
- Repairing older block walls with cracks, lean or mineral buildup
Common questions
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in St. George?
Retaining walls 4 feet or taller need a permit unless they're shown on an approved site plan, and any fence or retaining wall in a front setback needs one at any height.
How tall can a retaining wall be in St. George?
A single residential retaining wall can be up to 10 feet. Taller grade changes have to be terraced into landscaped benches.
Services in St. George
- 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.