Retaining walls in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Walls for hillside lots, lake-view homes and older neighborhoods across the city.
Coeur d'Alene's neighborhoods climb away from the lake onto hillsides, and many homes, especially newer ones on the hills and older ones near downtown and Fernan, rely on retaining walls for driveways, yards and views. Calls here range from a short garden wall to rebuilding a failing wall under a driveway.
What permit rules apply inside the city?
The City of Coeur d'Alene exempts retaining walls up to 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless the wall supports a surcharge. Walls over 4 feet and walls holding up a driveway, parking area or structure need a building permit, which usually means an engineered design.
The city's Hillside Overlay Zone adds rules for development on land with an average slope of 15 percent or more. It applies to land inside the overlay and to lands annexed after May 1, 2005. If your lot is steep, check with the planning department before any grading.
What do Coeur d'Alene wall projects usually involve?
- Walls that widen or level driveways on sloped lots
- Terraces to create usable backyard space on hillsides
- Replacing old timber walls in established neighborhoods
- Engineered walls for new construction on steep lots
- Drainage fixes behind walls that leak or lean after snowmelt
Common questions
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Coeur d'Alene?
Walls over 4 feet from the bottom of the footing, or walls supporting a surcharge like a driveway or building, need a building permit. Shorter walls without a surcharge are exempt.
Is my lot in the Hillside Overlay Zone?
The city planning department can tell you. The rules apply to land in the overlay with an average slope of 15 percent or more, and to lands annexed after May 1, 2005.
Services in Coeur d'Alene
- Retaining wall installationNew block walls to hold back slopes, level yards and create usable space.
- Boulder & rock wallsNatural stone walls and terraces that fit the North Idaho landscape.
- Retaining wall repair & replacementFixes for walls that are leaning, bulging, cracking or washing out.
- Wall drainage & French drainsDrain pipe, drain stone and French drains that keep water from pushing walls over.
- Terraces, steps & tiered wallsTiered walls, terraces and stone steps that turn a slope into usable space.
Nearby areas
Wall leaning, bulging or cracking?
A moving wall can fail suddenly. Keep people and vehicles clear and call to get it looked at.