Retaining Wall Cost in San Diego (2025): Pricing, Permits & Engineering
Updated August 2025 — San Diego County
Planning a retaining wall in San Diego? This guide covers installed pricing, engineering, permits, drainage, geogrid, and spec tiers—so you can budget confidently and build once, the right way.
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TL;DR — 2025 San Diego Ranges
- Segmental Retaining Walls (SRW blocks): typically $70–$140 per face sq ft installed (height, geogrid, access, curves, drainage drive price).
- CMU + stucco/stone veneer: typically $120–$220 per face sq ft installed (footings, steel, grout, veneer).
- Poured-in-place concrete (architectural): typically $150–$260 per face sq ft installed (forms, waterproofing, finishes).
- Key adders: engineering, permits, soils reports, export/haul, tight access, guardrails/fencing.
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Retaining Wall Cost (San Diego)
Budget by face square footage (height × length). Choose a column that matches your target spec. Engineering/permits not included in base columns.
| Wall Size (H × L) | Face Area | At $70/FSF SRW — economy |
At $100/FSF SRW — engineered |
At $140/FSF SRW premium / CMU entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3′ × 20′ | 60 fsf | $4,200 | $6,000 | $8,400 |
| 4′ × 30′ | 120 fsf | $8,400 | $12,000 | $16,800 |
| 6′ × 20′ | 120 fsf | $8,400 | $12,000 | $16,800 |
| 6′ × 40′ | 240 fsf | $16,800 | $24,000 | $33,600 |
| 8′ × 20′ | 160 fsf | $11,200 | $16,000 | $22,400 |
| 8′ × 40′ | 320 fsf | $22,400 | $32,000 | $44,800 |
Typical Adders (Line‑Item)
| Item | Typical 2025 San Diego Range | When/Why |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering & stamped calcs (SRW) | $1,500–$4,500 | Walls ≥~4′, surcharge loads, terraced, curves, or poor soils. |
| Engineering & stamped calcs (CMU / poured) | $3,000–$8,000 | Footings, steel, grout, waterproofing details. |
| Building permit & plan check | $400–$2,000+ | City/County fees vary; Coastal/ESL/historic reviews add time/fees. |
| Soils / geotech report (if required) | $2,500–$6,500 | Hillside, expansive/weak soils, tall walls. |
| Property survey / staking | $800–$2,200 | For property line proximity, easements, alcoves. |
| Export/haul off (spoils) | $40–$85 per cubic yd | Depth, access, and disposal site distance affect totals. |
| Tight access (no bobcat) | + $10–$25 per face sq ft | Hand‑carry or small equipment only. |
| Guardrail/fence at top | $90–$180 per linear ft | Required where drop exceeds ~30″ adjacent to walking surfaces. |
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Wall Types Compared
| Type | Pros | Considerations | Typical Range (Installed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRW (Segmental Retaining Wall) — block + geogrid | Flexible; excellent for curves/terraces; replaceable units; fast build; no visible cracks like concrete. | Needs granular backfill + drain + geogrid; requires embedment and level base; design for surcharge. | $70–$140/face sq ft |
| CMU + stucco/stone veneer | Monolithic; easy to finish to match house; great for seat‑walls + caps. | Footing excavation, rebar, grout, waterproofing; control joints; veneer adds cost. | $120–$220/face sq ft |
| Poured‑in‑place concrete | Sleek, modern; architectural finishes; can be cored for rail posts. | Formwork, complex waterproofing; cracks need control/relief; often veneered. | $150–$260/face sq ft |
| Natural stone (gravity/dry‑stack) | Timeless aesthetics; blends with landscape. | Labor intensive; engineering still applies at height; material variability. | $140–$260/face sq ft |
Spec Tiers (Good / Better / Best)
| Tier | Typical Spec | Use‑Case | San Diego Price Tendencies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good | SRW up to ~3–4′ tall; embed 6–12″; 4–6″ compacted base; 12–18″ drainage zone with perforated pipe; granular backfill; geotextile separation from native soils. | Flat lots, light surcharge, normal access. | $70–$100/FSF |
| Better | SRW ~4–6’+; engineered; multiple geogrid layers (length per design); expanded drainage to daylight or sump; terraced returns; caps; curves. | Moderate slopes, driveways above, planter loads, tight radii. | $95–$140/FSF |
| Best | CMU or poured structural wall with waterproofing + veneer; guardrail posts; complex drainage/step‑downs; Coastal/ESL overlays; geotechnical report. | Hillside, structures near crest, luxury finishes. | $150–$260/FSF |
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Build Specs & Best Practices (What We Deliver)
SRW Core Details
- Base: 4–8″ compacted aggregate (≈95% compaction), perfectly level; first course buried (typ. 1″ per ft of wall height).
- Drainage: 12–18″ clean angular stone behind wall with perforated, socked pipe to daylight or approved outlet + cleanouts.
- Geogrid: Placed at engineered elevations; length often 50–80% of wall height depending on design (site‑specific).
- Separation fabric: Geotextile between drain rock and native soils to prevent fines migration (not between blocks).
- Embedment & setback: Bury first course; maintain wall batter per system; respect property line setbacks for geogrid zone.
CMU / Poured Concrete Details
- Footings: Engineered width/depth; steel and grout per calcs; step footings on slopes.
- Waterproofing: Dampproof/waterproof + protection board; drainage mat + perf pipe to outlet.
- Control/expansion joints: Per engineering and finish schedule; weeps or drain paths provided.
- Finishes: Stucco/stone caps and veneers detailed for movement & drainage.
Safety & Code
Guardrails or fences are required where walking surfaces are within ~36″ of a drop exceeding ~30″. We coordinate compatible post details for SRW (surface‑mounted stanchions) and structural walls (cored/embedded per engineer).
Permits & Engineering — San Diego Snapshot
- Permit triggers (common): Walls about ≥3′ tall (measured from bottom of footing/leveling pad) and any wall supporting surcharge (driveways, slopes, structures) typically require a building permit and stamped engineering.
- Overlays: Coastal, ESL/steep slopes, historic, floodplain, and WUI/Fire zones can add reviews or remove exemptions.
- Stormwater: Provide lawful discharge for drains; avoid direct tie‑ins to public curb/gutter without ROW authorization.
- Property lines/easements: Keep geogrid zone and footing within your parcel or obtain recorded rights; many sites need survey staking.
- Submittals: Plan set, sections/details, stamped calcs, soils report (if requested), drain outlet details, and admin forms/fees.
San Diego Submittal Package (Typical)
- Site plan with contours, easements, utilities, and wall alignment/height callouts.
- Cross‑sections: base, embedment, geogrid elevations/lengths, drainage pipe route to daylight/approved outlet.
- Stamped structural calculations (SRW/CMU/poured), product data, and soils report when required.
- Fence/guardrail detail if applicable; finish/veneer schedule; export/haul notes.
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Timeline (What to Expect)
- Design & engineering: ~1–3 weeks depending on complexity/overlays.
- Permits & reviews: ~1–6 weeks (Coastal/ESL/historic can extend).
- Build: Small SRW (~60–160 fsf) ~2–4 days; larger engineered walls ~1–2+ weeks including export, geogrid lifts, and finishes.
Quote Comparison Checklist (Don’t Skip This)
- Wall type & height map (by segment), embedment, and face sq ft used for pricing.
- Base & backfill spec (aggregate type, compaction target, drainage zone width, pipe route, cleanouts).
- Geogrid schedule (elevations, lengths, connection detail) or CMU/poured reinforcement schedule.
- Engineering included? Stamped calcs and submittal set called out?
- Permits/fees included or allowances listed? Survey/soils allowances?
- Access & export method, yard protection, staging, cleanup, pallet fees.
- Finishes (caps, veneer/stucco, color), guardrail/fence scope, and warranty terms.
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FAQs
How much does a retaining wall cost in San Diego?
Most SRW projects land between $70–$140 per face sq ft installed; CMU/veneered and poured walls trend $120–$260+. Engineering, permits, soils, export, and access drive totals.
Do I always need engineering or a permit?
Walls around 3’+ and any wall supporting surcharge typically require engineering and permits in San Diego. Overlays (Coastal/ESL/historic) can remove exemptions even for shorter walls.
SRW vs. CMU vs. poured concrete—what’s best?
SRW is flexible, cost‑effective, and great for curves/terraces. CMU/poured is structural and suits seat‑walls, veneers, and guardrails; it costs more and needs waterproofing.
How is drainage handled?
A perforated, socked pipe runs in a wide drainage zone of clean stone to a lawful outlet, with geotextile separation to keep fines out. Many engineered SRW walls use multiple geogrid layers.
Can a wall go on the property line?
Often not without recorded rights—geogrid and footing zones must remain on your parcel. Survey staking is common before construction.
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