Apply for a Wall permit

Step 1. A wall permit is required for the following:

• Site walls (screen/patio walls) taller than 7' (measured from finished grade)
• Retaining walls taller than 4’ (measured from bottom of footing)
• Retaining walls with site walls with a combined height taller than 7’ (measured from bottom of footing)
• Retaining walls with an applied surcharge load (driveways, slopes, etc.)

Construction plans are reviewed for compliance with the current International Building Codes and Amendments. 

Step 2.Zoning Code standards for wall heights and locations:

Walls and Fences Walls and fences shall be located in accordance with the following standards:

a. Setbacks

i. Front

a) Walls equal to or less than four (4) feet six (6) inches in height may be located on the property line.

a) Walls taller than four (4) feet six (6) inches in height must meet the front setback of the applicable zoning district.**

b) The supporting columns, posts and door frames for pedestrian entry features associated with courtyard walls, that do not provide usable interior space, may be built in the same location as the front yard wall and shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.

c) The supporting columns, posts and frames for vehicular entry gates located at the main access to the lot may be built up to five (5) feet from the front lot line and shall not exceed nine (9) feet in height.

d) **Walls built as a required pool and/or spa barrier may be 5' feet tall within the front yard setback.

ii. Side: Walls equal to or less than seven (7) feet in height may be located on the property line. Walls taller than seven (7) feet must meet the side setback of the applicable zoning district.

iii. Rear: Walls equal to or less than seven (7) feet in height may be located on the property line. Walls taller than seven (7) feet must meet the rear setbacks of the applicable zoning district.

b. Walls abutting an arterial or collector street, either in the front, side or rear yard, may be up to two (2) feet taller than subsections A.3.a.i through A.3.a.iii of this section.

c. Wall placement shall consider drainage, easements, topography and abutting properties.

d. Refer to Section 23.5.A.2 for special requirements regarding corner lots.

Walls that do not require a permit, must still meet the Oro Valley Zoning Code location requirements. Contact the Planner-on-Duty at 520-229-4800 or Planning@orovalleyaz.gov for lot specific information. 

Step 3.Plan requirements:

Arizona Registrant designed plans are required for walls that require a permit.

Step 4.Provide the following information on the plans

• Show the entire lot
• Provide a north arrow and the street location and name
• Identify the location of the wall
• Indicate the height and thickness of the wall
• Provide wall details such as:
  • Footing depth and width
  • Reinforcement bar, strength, size and spacing
  • Grout specifications
  • Imposed Surcharge Wall design calculations
    • Distance from toe to key
    • Height of soil over toe (per Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure requirements)
    • Justify size and spacing of weep holes
    • Justify material used around weep pipe as free draining
  • Special Inspection specifications

• Soils report

• Exposure Category: Oro Valley is 115 mph, 3 second gust
• Over turning ratio ≥ 1.5 : 1 (min. requirement)
• Sliding ratio ≥ 1.5 : 1 (min. requirement)
• Allowable soil bearing pressure (reference Soils Report)
• Active pressure (reference Soils Report)
• Passive pressure (reference Soils Report)
• Soil friction factor (reference Soils Report) 

Prepare your project for electronic submittal by doing the following:

• Ensure all documents are in PDF format.
• The security level in the PDF must allow the Town to apply stamps, markups and ultimately approvals on the document.
• Do not mix portrait and landscape pages in the same document. Rotate all pages the same direction.

Notice: It is the applicant/owner's responsibility to ensure all private rules and regulations of the development are met. Contact the property owner or manager to determine if your sign will be allowed.

Step 5.Plans are now accepted online through the customer portal. 

You will receive an email confirming the submittal has been received. If you do not receive an email response call 520-229-4800.

Step 6.Plan review is 10 business days for the first and second reviews

Step 7.Permit fees are based on the linear footage of the wall

Step 8.Permit Issuance

• Permits are issued electronically

• The person responsible for the permit (applicant, contractor or homeowner), must print one full size set of:

• Stamped approved construction plans

• Inspection card (white paper is acceptable)

• Supporting documents such as Calculations, Soils Reports, Special Inspector Reports, etc.

• All of the above listed documents must be on the construction site in paper format and available for the building inspectors.

• Failure to provide the approved paper documents on the job site for the inspector may result in a failure of inspections.