Skip to content
SetbackIQ

Retaining walls in Arlington County, VA

A wall holding back less than 3 ft of soil needs no building permit. Retaining walls count as obstructions in the corner triangle, and in an RPA any new or replaced wall needs county review.

A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Arlington County before you build.

The details

  • Building permit at 3 ft or more of unbalanced fill, or with a surcharge.High confidence
  • More than 2,500 sq ft of disturbance needs an LDA permit with stormwater review.High confidence

Check a project at your address

SetbackIQ reads the zoning, flood zone, historic district, and environmental maps for your lot. Then it applies these rules.

What are you building?

Open the checker

Common questions

When does a retaining wall need a permit or an engineer in Arlington County?
A wall holding back less than 3 ft of soil needs no building permit. Retaining walls count as obstructions in the corner triangle, and in an RPA any new or replaced wall needs county review.

Sources

  1. Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2, Exemptions from application for permit. Checked 2026-10-23
    2. One story detached structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses, provided the building area does not exceed 256 square feet... 5. Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety as provided for by Section 3306 or used…
  2. Arlington County, Resource Protection Area (RPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance. Checked 2026-10-21
    [RPA review is required for] new or replaced fences and retaining walls; new paved surfaces, including gravel; decks, sheds, and pergolas; removing trees 3 inches or more in diameter... [A CBORC exception is required for] increasing impervious cover in the …

Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.