Retaining wall permit checklist — Buffalo, New York
Assembled from Buffalo’s own published permit rules. Every line below is quoted from a city document and linked to it. Nothing here is generated, estimated, or inferred from another jurisdiction.
Do you need a permit?
Buffalo requires a permit for a retaining wall.
Section 103-2.3B(15) of the City Code lists precast concrete, masonry, or masonry or stone units used in assemblies and systems less than two feet in height for incidental retention of landscaping beds among the landscaping work that homeowners and appropriately licensed handymen, contractors, and construction managers may repair, renovate, or install at existing one- and two-family dwelling sites without applying for and obtaining a building permit and without paying building permit fees. That listing is unavailable where the work would adversely alter drainage patterns to the detriment of adjoining properties, obstruct exiting or egress, violate local ordinances or codes, create a nuisance, create a fire or other hazard, or create a dangerous condition. The Department of Permit & Inspection Services page titled City of Buffalo Charter Building Permits, which attributes its list to 19 NYCRR Part 1203, states more broadly that construction of retaining walls does not require a building permit unless such walls support a surcharge or impound Class I, II or IIIA liquids.
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Sources
- retaining wall — fee schedule ↗verified August 2026
Other permits Buffalo publishes rules for
Listed because the city publishes a separate rule for each type — not because this project necessarily triggers one. Whether it does depends on your scope of work.
- Deck permit checklist
- Fence permit checklist
- Shed permit checklist
- Water heater permit checklist
- Re-roof permit checklist
- Electrical work permit checklist
- General building work permit checklist
BuildSpec is a reference, not the authority having jurisdiction. Confirm requirements with Buffalo before you build.