Civic Centre
61 Broun Avenue
Morley WA 6062
RETAINING WALL
INFORMATION SHEET
This information sheet relating to Retaining
Walls has been created using the Building
Act 2011 and the City of Bayswater policies
and should be used as a guide only.
WHAT IS A RETAINING WALL?
A retaining wall is a wall or structure designed
and constructed to support soil at a slope
steeper than can naturally be supported.
Whilst retaining walls are primarily designed to
support soil, they may also be impacted by
other factors such as building footings, vehicle
surcharges and/or wind loads on dividing
fencing.
Some pre-manufactured retaining
walls are designed to support only soil and not
other contributing factors.
WHEN IS A RETAINING WALL REQUIRED?
Retaining walls may be required during the
construction of dwellings, subdivision of land,
erection of dividing fences and/or for
landscaping purposes.
Whilst the City may require that retaining walls be
constructed as part of building works, other
retaining walls may be necessary depending on
contributing factors as mentioned above. Any soil
level difference is required to be retained, or
battered back, so that the ground level at the
boundary is supported or at the same level.
COST SHARING FOR COMMON BOUNDARY
RETAINING WALLS
Each land owner has an obligation to retain soil
where necessary resulting from earth works on
their property, (see diagram below). Adjoining
owners who have both undertaken earthworks and
the ground levels have been altered are advised to
attempt to negotiate a proportional based
agreement when retaining walls are required along
the common boundary for support of a dividing
fence, landscaping or other works.
When
agreement cannot be reached through arbitration
and mediation, then legal action may be instigated
by either adjoining owner and can be costly.
The Garden City – Quality Lifestyle
Postal Address:
PO Box 467
Morley WA 6943
Telephone: (08) 9272 0622
Facsimile: (08) 9272 0665
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bayswater.wa.gov.au
Civic Centre
61 Broun Avenue
Morley WA 6062
POSITIONING OF DIVIDING FENCES
NEAR RETAINING WALLS & TOTAL
HEIGHT OF WALL
Dividing fences should be positioned on
top of a retaining wall which abuts a
common boundary where the retaining wall
is greater than 500mm in height. The
height of 500mm for retaining is measured
overall and includes terracing.
Upper ground level
500mm
Retaining Wall
Lower ground level
Upper ground level
H
Height of fence
(H) measured
from higher level
500mm
Upper ground level
Lower ground level
Retaining Wall
Retaining
Wall
Retaining
Wall
Terracing
Retaining
Lower ground level
MAINTENANCE OF RETAINING WALLS
When the City is of the opinion that a retaining
wall is structurally inadequate, then the owner
may be required to consult a practising Structural
Engineer to determine what action, if any, is
required to restore the structural integrity of the
wall. The cost for the Structural Engineer’s
services is the responsibility of the owner.
CITY APPROVAL
Except where exempted by the Building
Regulations 2012, a Building Permit is required
where retaining is 500mm or greater in height or
being used to support a building. Retaining
500mm or greater is to be designed by a
Structural Engineer. Certified drawings are to be
submitted with the Building permit application.
ENCROACHMENTS
Where a retaining wall is proposed to encroach
over a boundary, then written consent from all
affected adjoining land owners is required to be
provided to the City on a Form BA20. Should a
Form BA20 not be able to be obtained, a Court
Order permitting the encroachment is to be
submitted to the City with any application.
ADVERSELY AFFECTING LAND
Any retaining wall that is associated with the
protection of land adjoining the land on which the
retaining wall is located may be considered to
have an adverse affect on the adjoining land.
This will require consent from the affected
adjoining land owners on a Form BA20. Should a
Form BA20 not be able to be obtained, a Court
Order permitting the adverse affect is to be
provided to the City with any application.
BUILDING PERMIT SUBMISSION
REQUIREMENTS FOR RETAINING WALLS
• Application form
• Site Plan – Two copies to a scale not less
than 1:200 indicating site boundaries, existing
and proposed levels and the proposed wall
location.
• Two original signed copies of Engineer’s
Structural details of the proposed retaining
wall (where applicable).
BUILDING APPLICATION FEE STRUCTURE
• Permit Fee
As per the prescribed fees for a Certified or
Uncertified application based on the value of
work.
• Building Services Levy
As per the prescribed fees based on the value
of work.
• CTF Levy: (Only applicable to works
valued over $20,000)
As per the prescribed fees based on the value
of work.
DISCLAIMER
This information sheet is correct as at December 2015 and may be subject to alteration without notice
The Garden City – Quality Lifestyle
Postal Address:
PO Box 467
Morley WA 6943
Telephone: (08) 9272 0622
Facsimile: (08) 9272 0665
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bayswater.wa.gov.au