Retaining Walls

Overview:

Retaining wall inspections were created to protect structures and the public from retaining wall collapses.

Requirements:

• Document review
• General Visual Inspection
• Assessment of Conditions
• Third Party testing (if applicable)
• Filing of report
• Deadline for Repairs

Owners of properties with a retaining wall that faces a public right-of-way and has any portion of the wall extending ten feet or higher must have their retaining wall inspected every five years by a Qualified Retaining Wall Inspector (QRWI) and a condition assessment report of the inspection must be submitted to the Department by the QRWI within 60 days of completing the inspection. The current inspection cycle (Cycle 2) runs from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023.

Cycles are staggered into five (5) sub-cycles. For retaining walls in the:

Filing Fees:

 Civil Penalties:

HLZAE Contacts:

• Ilya Shtulberg, P.E. – Senior Structural Associate
• Bryan Chester, P.E. – Senior Project Manager
• Stephanie Bush, R.A. – Executive Director, Operations