Does a retaining wall need a resource consent?

A retaining wall needs a resource consent if the following applies:

• your retaining wall is greater than 2 metres in height above ground level and does not meet the zone rules for Major Structures.
• you want to build a fence on top of your retaining wall (or alongside, within 1 metre of it) and the height above ground level in combination with that of your retaining wall exceeds 2 metres, and the zone rules for Major Structures are not met.
• your property is within a Coastal Area Landscape, High Natural Character Area or Outstanding Natural Character Area, and earthworks to build your retaining wall exceed a cut face height of 2 metres (unless you are in the Coastal Area Landscape of the Business 4 zone or Strategic Rural Industries zone).  These rules can be found in the Coastal Area Chapter of the District Plan under Part 2 District Wide Matters. 

District Plan

Finding your property zone

There may be other site-specific circumstances where works associated with building a retaining wall require a resource consent.

Your retaining wall may also require a building consent.