In Chula Vista a retaining wall over 3 feet needs a building permit, and so does a shorter wall that holds back extra weight.
The 3 Foot Rule
Chula Vista says a retaining wall does not need a building permit only if all three of these are true. It is 3 feet or less from the top of the footing to the top of the wall. It does not hold back a surcharge, such as a building or parked cars. It does not hold back flammable liquids. Read it on the city's retaining walls page.
Exempt Still Has Rules
A wall that skips the building permit still has to meet local and state building rules. The city's zoning rules also apply to where the wall goes and how it is used. A low wall on the property line can still run into a zoning question, so check before you build.
Help From the City
The city offers a Masonry Retaining Walls Guide. It can be used in place of construction plans when it is attached to a proper plot plan. The city also says plan check for city standard walls is done over the counter. That can save time on a simple wall.
Soil and Drainage
Water behind a wall is the main reason walls lean or fail. Ask the contractor how the wall will drain. On clay soil, a soils report is worth it for any wall that is tall or holds up a slope. See our clay soil guide.