§ 5.6. Retaining Wall Requirements, Construction Regulations, and Design Criteria.

a.

Retaining Wall Requirements. In general, the use of retaining walls shall be minimized, wherever possible, through minimal and balanced cut and fill on property. When property within or directly adjacent to a subdivision contains changes in elevation exceeding two feet (2') and the slope exceeds one unit vertical in four units horizontal, a retaining wall shall be required at the locations specified herein prior to the acceptance of the subdivision:

1.

Location A. The grade change roughly follows a side or rear lot line.

2.

Location B. The grade change is adjacent to a proposed building site boundary.

3.

Location C. The grade change is adjacent to a water course or drainage easement.

b.

Retaining Wall Design and Construction. All retaining wall design and construction shall be in compliance with the provisions of the International Building Code as adopted and the TCSS of the City of Terrell, and shall be approved by the City Engineer. Walls exceeding twenty-four inches (24") in height shall be required to be designed by a licensed professional engineer.

c.

Retaining Wall Maintenance. Retaining walls shall be maintained by the owner of the property (either an individual or a homeowners association) where such retaining wall is located.

d.

[Retaining Wall Placement.] Retaining walls shall not be constructed within any portion of a utility or drainage easement, unless approved by the City Engineer. It shall be the property owner's responsibility to maintain the retaining wall.