Retaining wall permit checklist — Seattle, Washington
Assembled from Seattle’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?
Seattle requires a permit for a retaining wall.
A construction permit is not required when all three of the following are met: the rockery or retaining wall stands 4 feet or lower, sized from the footing base — even where that base sits below grade — up to the wall's highest point; the wall is not located on a parcel with an environmentally critical area; and no damage will occur to adjoining properties or structures during or after construction. Building a wall at the property line creates potential for damage and requires a construction permit.
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Sources
- retaining wall — permit rules ↗verified August 2026
Other permits Seattle 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 Seattle before you build.