Retaining wall guardrail requirement questions& answers.

This article series describes types of privacy walls, retaining walls and retaining wall guard railing requirements, guard railing construction and building codes, and critical safe-construction details for retaining wall guardrails.

Q&A about Retaining Wall Railing Code & Design Requirements

These questions & answers about when a guardrail is appropriate, useful, or actually required by building codes for areas along the top of retaining walls were posted originally at x - please be sure your review that discussion.

On 2020-06-28 - by (mod) -

is a guardrailing always required at the top of every retaining wall?

Barry

Most building code compliance inspectors and codes expect us to provide a guardrail when the retaining wall is along a public walkway and/or when one can reasonably expect that people may walk or otherwise move along or near the top of the retaining wall.

An example that could include your situation is if the retaining wall is in an area where children or even adults might be expected to run or play a ball-sport.

But ultimately it's the local code compliance inspector who is called on to make a judgment and a code interpretation in the field. For that reason, the local building inspector is the final legal authority.

Your inspector might accept the omission of a guardrail at the top of your retaining wall if you provide sufficient documentation from a qualified expert whom she or he will accept.

But: Worse, for you (wishing perhaps to avoid the cost of a guardrail), if you took the step of hiring an independent, qualified engineer or architect to write a letter certifying that you don't need a guardrail, you and that person will be in a sore spot if, heaven forbid, sometime later there is an injury blamed on that decision.

In this article series you'll read my report of a fellow whose riding mower ran off of the top of a retaining wall; he was badly and permanently disabled. That raised the question of whether or not all such walls need protection.

The photo above of our little red jeep was taken from the top of a public area: a highway retaining wall near Beaver River in Lake County in northern Minnesota. Certainly we don't find guardrailings required along the top of these walls.

I agree that not all retaining walls merit a guardrail along the top of the wall; requiring one in absolutely every instance could be an example of the "OPM" problem: spending other people's money (yours) to reduce the inspector's or consultant's risk.

But if activity and walking or playing near the top of your retaining wall could be anticipated, then frankly, I agree with your code inspector.

Also see

OTHER PEOPLE's MONEY

I welcome your further comments and would like to see a photo of your situation.

On 2020-06-28 by Barry Burnell

Hello, question, I have retaining walls higher then 36 " that are located further then 20 ' of any intended walkway,

I can not find anything in the 2009 IRC code that clarifies if this requires a guard rail,

my inspector is insisting that it does no matter where it is on the property it needs a rail, even if its not close to any walking or driving path
any help would be great
thanks

On 2019-03-30 by (mod) - codes don't name explicit fall hazards

I don't think you'll find an explicit code that names every possible drop-off hazard, Robert, as a place where a guardrail is required.

There are thousands of such conditions.

However in my OPINION, a guardrail is clearly necessary along walkways - passages intended for walkers - where there is a drop-off of (varying by local jurisdictional stair-rail codes) the equivalent of 3 feet.

If a driveway is expected to be a walkway and passes over a culvert where there is a 4 ft. dropoff, one could make that argument. I'm unsure that it'd prevail in a legal proceeding, as there are millions of drives that pass over culverts without walking guards along those areas.

Perhaps that's because typically a home with a driveway approach over a culvert most-often also has a front walk that passes over the same; there would surely be no difficulty insisting that the walkway be protected against falls.

As the walkway offers a path intended for pedestrians, the nearby drive might then be excepted.

On 2019-03-30 by Robert

My driveway has a concrete culvert under it for storm water run off in a ditch.

The elevation of the driveway's side both entering and exiting this flat topped box culvert is easily over a four foot drop off to the concrete flume in the bottom of the ditch.

My seventy year old neighbor fell backwards off of the side of a similar driveway as mine.

Is there an IRC or other code that states what height a drop off must be in order to require some kind of protection against falling off the edge of the driveway/culvert construction?

The city of Wylie TX has indicated that they do not have any code addressing this matter. So if there is an IBC or other code I can refer to that would help. Thank you for your assistance

On 2018-10-31 by (mod) -

Excellent question, Karl, thank you.

What is the

Allowable horizontal distance between a walkway and a low retaining wall with no guardrail at the wall?
Or
When is a guardrail required along a low retaining wall of 4 ft. or less in height?

A typical requirement is two feet of horizontal distance - at least for lower retaining walls.

In my OPINION if one can anticipate high risk such as an area where children play, a guardrail should be installed even at greater distances.

Local building codes vary, and you didn't state your country and city, so I can give only a general example such as this one from U.S. code in Virginia:

This policy is being issued in accordance with the

Prince William County Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSM),

Section 710.06 D. Retaining Wall Safety Devices.

Safety devices are required at the top of the retaining wall or retaining wall system (i.e. tiered retaining walls) when:

1. The difference in grade level on either side of the wall is in excess of 4 feet; and

2. The retaining wall or retaining wall system is located closer than 2 feet to a walk, path, residential yard, public common area, parking lot or driveway.

The retaining wall safety device shall be designed and constructed structurally in accordance with the provisions of the International Building Code for guards (i.e. strength, opening limitations and height of the guard).

- Source: Building Development Policies and Procedures, General, 12.12, Retaining Wall Safety Devices, Prince William County VA. (2006), retrieved 2018/10/31, original source: http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/development/bd/Documents/005772.pdf

On 2018-10-31 by Karl

How close can you place a walkway to a retaining wall with them more than 30 inch drop without needing a railing?

On 2017-09-09 by John

Forgot to mention that once you go up the steps it is a concrete walkway leading to the residential house about 50 feet away, if this helps or matters.

The mailbox is 6 feet from the top of the steps. I am just pointing this info out due to the fact that i want to show that it is THE ONLY public access to the house. i;e UPS delivery, Mail delivery, friends and family etc. what do ya think?
thanks

John From Hamilton
Just want some thoughts here, I know it's up to bldg dept. Thank You for any replies in advance

I live in Hamilton Township,NJ. I would like to know if a hand rail would be needed in the following description.
A retaining wall is connectected with the sidewalk.

It has 6 risers and the wall height is about 4-5 feet. coming down the steps, i have to go down3-4 steps before even being able to touch the top of the wall with my hand. Does this require a hand rail???

On 2017-08-29 by (mod) -

Jeff,

The legal authority to answer your question is your local building department. I paragraph however I can tell you that if you have an elevated walkway along the edge of a retaining wall it is simply unsafe if there is no guardrail in that area. You might notify people who think you should not put up a guardrail if there is a safety hazard and a liability involved. That notification will be more effective if it is done in writing when.

On 2017-08-29 by Jeff

I live in michigan

On 2017-08-29 by Jeff

I have a question, what is the law on a retaining wall that is over 6ft high and less then 4ft of walkway in some spots around the house. I want to put a fence in for safety reason as it was in my plot plan. But the association I live in says no. What is the law and what should I do. It doesn't seem safe without a fence.

On 2015-04-15 by (mod) -

Thanks for the question Nancy, I'll add that link to the above article

see GUARDRAIL CODES & STANDARDS

for the codes on guardrailings.

On 2015-04-10 by Nancy Sue

what is the minimum height of a retaining wall for guardrail to be required by building code?

On 2015-02-27 by (mod) -

Richard,

"was told" doesn't say by whom. If the local building department wants a guardrail, their word is law.

On 2015-02-26 by Richard

my home was built in 2005 & has a wooden 48 " retaining wall in the backyard. I am in the procees of selling my house & was told that I have to install a guard railing on top of this wall. Is that correct ?

...

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