Retaining Wall Permit Drawings and Engineering
Stamped design for retaining walls, including soil pressure calculations, drainage and reinforcement. Most jurisdictions require engineering above a set height.
civil and structural design, starting fee. Final pricing is confirmed in writing before work begins.
Drawings your jurisdiction will ask for
- ✓ Wall section showing reinforcement, footing and backfill
- ✓ Soil pressure and overturning calculations
- ✓ Drainage design behind the wall
- ✓ Surcharge analysis where a driveway, slope or structure sits above
- ✓ Site plan with wall location, heights and grades
- ✓ Global stability check where the wall sits on or near a slope
Frequently asked questions about Retaining Wall Plans
When does a retaining wall need engineering?
Commonly above four feet measured from the bottom of the footing, but several jurisdictions set it lower, and any wall carrying a surcharge usually needs engineering regardless of height.
What is surcharge and why does it matter?
Surcharge is extra load behind the wall from a driveway, slope, pool or structure. It increases the pressure the wall must resist, often significantly, and has to be designed for explicitly.
Do you design the drainage too?
Yes. Water pressure behind a wall is what fails most of them, so drainage is part of the design, not an afterthought.
Not sure what your jurisdiction requires?