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.