Sub-sections in this division:
Masonry Fences and Retaining Walls — Permit Required
Separate building permit required per parcel for fences, walls, and retaining walls. Retaining walls retaining more than 24 inches require engineering by a registered design professional. Footings must be designed by a registered Civil or Structural Engineer for all imposed loads including soil pressure, surcharge, seismic, and hydrostatic forces per IBC Chapter 18. Default design parameters where no soils report: assume 60 psf/ft lateral soil pressure, Exposure Class S2 (severe sulfate exposure) — concrete minimum f'c 4,000 psi for footings in sulfate soils. No fence or wall may block a natural flow path. Prohibited materials: pointed pickets, electrocution components, embedded glass, barbed/razor wire.
IBC 2024 Appendix Q / Henderson Development Code Section 19.10.6
Retaining Wall — Footing and Structural Design Requirements
Retaining walls over 24 inches (top of footing to top of wall) require a building permit and engineering by a registered Civil or Structural Engineer. Footing design must account for: lateral soil pressure (minimum 60 psf/ft unless geotechnical report specifies otherwise), surcharge loads, seismic forces (Seismic Design Category D), and hydrostatic pressure where applicable. Concrete minimum compressive strength f'c = 3,000 psi general; f'c = 4,000 psi where soils report indicates Exposure Class S2 (severe sulfate) conditions, which is common in Southern Nevada soils. Footings must extend below frost depth (minimum 12 inches below finish grade in the Las Vegas Valley). Required inspections: footing excavation, reinforcing steel placement, drainage/dampproofing before backfill.
IBC 2024 Appendix Q / IBC Chapter 18 / Henderson Municipal Code Section 15.08
Masonry Fence Standard Detail
Masonry fences must be constructed per SNBO Regional Standard Detail B-100-1. Fences with wrought iron must follow B-101. Wrought iron fences follow B-114. Chain link fences follow B-115. Walls shown on civil plans are for grading review only — a separate building permit is required.
CLV General Notes §16; SNBO B-100-1
Masonry Retaining Walls
Retaining walls must follow SNBO Regional Standard Detail B-100-2. Wall heights may not exceed 14 feet above adjacent property in any case. Walls shown on civil plans are for grading review only — a separate building permit and building department inspection is required for all walls.
CLV General Notes §16; SNBO B-100-2
Fence and Wall Heights — NLV Zoning Standards
Maximum fence/wall height in rear and side yards: 8 feet. Front yard: no fence or wall exceeding 48 inches (4 feet). Front yard fence above 36 inches must be minimum 25% open (decorative transparency requirement). Retaining walls over 24 in require building permit and engineering.
NLV Municipal Code Chapter 17.24.070