Building a Retaining Wall? Here’s the Survey Your Permit Needs.

Retaining wall permits usually need existing grades plus property-line and setback information — especially on slopes. We provide the survey your LA building department and engineer need.

Tell us what the city, county, architect, or engineer requested — we’ll help determine whether you need boundary, topo, setback, hillside, or permit survey support. Call now to discuss your project.

Grades and property lines for a retaining wall permit.

Why wall permits need a survey

A retaining wall holds back earth, so the building department and your structural engineer need to know the existing grades and where the wall sits relative to the property lines. That usually means a topographic survey plus property-line/setback information — and on a slope, more detail still.

Topo + property line: what each covers

Walls near the property line

Walls close to a boundary draw extra scrutiny — and disputes. We verify the true line so the wall is placed correctly and your setbacks are documented before you build. See setback verification.

Hillside walls & slope

Hillside walls combine steep grades and stricter review. We capture denser terrain data and can pair the survey with hillside and grading-plan work so your engineer has what they need.

Deliverables

Related help

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a survey for a retaining wall permit?

Usually yes — the building department and your structural engineer need existing grades and, when the wall is near a boundary, property-line/setback information.

Topo or boundary — which do I need?

Often both: a topo for grades and drainage, plus property-line/setback work if the wall is near a line. We’ll scope it for your wall and lot.

What about a wall on the property line?

Walls near a boundary get extra scrutiny. We verify the true line so the wall is placed correctly and the setbacks are documented before you build.

Do you handle steep / hillside walls?

Yes — we capture denser terrain data on slopes and can pair the survey with hillside and grading-plan work.

How fast can you do it?

We quote quickly and schedule promptly; timing depends on site size, terrain, and access.

Does this guarantee the permit?

No. It provides the survey your permit and engineer need; the city makes the final decision.

A survey supports plan check, design, and code review. It does not guarantee permit approval — the city or county building and planning departments make the final decision. Our job is to make your project survey-ready.

Licensed Surveyor Oversight

Survey work is completed by, or under the responsible charge of, California-licensed Professional Land Surveyors. When a stamped survey is required, the final deliverable will identify the responsible licensee for that project.

Permitting a retaining wall?

Tell us about your wall and your lot — we’ll quote the topo and property-line survey your permit and engineer need.

Call Now: (213) 787-3342 Free Quote