Council sets rules for retaining walls
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 7 months AGO
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | March 11, 2020 2:00 AM
City Council last week approved changes to the city zoning code regarding retaining walls.
Council previously directed staff to bring forward amendments to the code to prevent large retaining walls built in setback from impacting adjacent property owners.
Walls up to 2 feet high aren’t regulated, which are often used for landscaping.
Walls above 2 feet and up to 4 feet in height would require to meet a 6-foot setback standard.
Taller walls, up to the 8-foot maximum, would still be allowed for primary vehicle or pedestrian egress, but pedestrian access retaining walls would need to meet full building setbacks if they exceed 4 feet in height. Egress for secondary access would not qualify for the exemption.
Special exemptions would be approved by the zoning administrator for extreme topography, but only for wall height, not setbacks.
For exemptions to the setback requirement, an applicant would have to go before the Board of Adjustments.
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