On a sloped block, a retaining wall is often the feature that makes the whole garden work. It creates the levelled lawn, the tiered entertaining area and structured planting zones that turn an awkward slope into something beautiful and usable.

Whether you’re redesigning an established garden, finishing the outdoor space of a newly renovated home, or starting from scratch on a challenging block, the retaining wall permit question tends to come up early.

In Victoria, the answer depends on the height of your wall, where it sits on the block, and a few specifics that aren’t always obvious upfront.

At Love It Landscaping, we approach retaining walls as part of the overall landscape design, not as a standalone structural feature. Levels, drainage, planting, paving, access, entertaining areas and how you’ll actually use the space all factor into the design, so the finished wall integrates seamlessly rather than just holding back soil.

Here’s what you need to know before work begins, though it’s always worth confirming the specifics with your local council or building surveyor.

A Quick Summary

In Victoria, retaining walls at or above 1 metre in retained height generally require a building permit under the Building Regulations 2018, though requirements should always be confirmed with your local council or building surveyor
Walls under 1 metre can still require a permit if they’re near a property boundary, support a driveway or structure, or could affect an adjoining property
In many cases, permitted walls will need to be designed by a qualified structural engineer, with construction carried out in line with registered builder requirements, though this can vary depending on the project
Building without approval can result in council enforcement notices, fines, and problems when you sell

When Does a Retaining Wall Require a Permit in Victoria?

Victoria’s retaining walls are regulated under the Building Regulations 2018 and the Building Code of Australia (BCA), with compliance overseen by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

The general trigger is 1 metre. Retaining walls at or above that in retained height will typically need a building permit from your local council, though it’s important to confirm the specific requirements that apply to your property.

Under 1 metre: not always exempt

This is where a lot of homeowners get caught out. A wall under 1 metre isn’t automatically permit-free. Retaining wall council approval is still needed if:

The wall is on or near a property boundary, where it could affect the neighbouring property
It supports a surcharge load, such as a driveway, paving, a structure, or car parking
It retains soil that would otherwise shift onto a neighbour’s land
It’s part of broader building works already happening on the site

Under the Building Regulations, a wall that supports adjoining property will generally need a permit regardless of height, though the specifics should be confirmed with your council or building surveyor. A 700mm wall on a boundary terrace is a good example of where the under-1-metre exemption typically wouldn’t apply.

How Retained Height is Measured

It sounds simple, but this is where projects can go sideways. Retained height in Victoria is measured from the lower finished ground level to the top of the retained soil, not from the high side, and not from the top of the wall structure itself.

On Melbourne’s sloped blocks, that distinction matters. A wall that looks 800mm from the upper side can easily tip past 1 metre when measured correctly from below. If you start building without realising you’ve crossed the threshold, you’re looking at stopped work, retrospective permit applications, and potential fines.

If your block has any real level change at all, it’s worth checking the measurement carefully before assuming you’re in the clear.

What Changes When a Wall is on the Boundary

Boundary walls come with their own set of rules, separate from the height question.

If a wall retains soil that would otherwise move onto a neighbour’s land, it’s generally classified as protecting adjoining property, and the under-1-metre exemption typically won’t apply. This usually means a retaining wall permit is required, and depending on the location and nature of the works, you may also need to formally notify your neighbour via a protection work notice before work gets underway. It’s best to confirm these requirements with your council or building surveyor.

Additional requirements may apply depending on the local council and the location of the wall. Rules vary from council to council, so a direct conversation with your local authority before you start is always the right move.

Where a wall sits on the boundary line, responsibility for building and maintaining it generally falls to the property owner who benefits from it.

Engineering Requirements Once Your Permit is Active

Once a building permit is required, structural engineering typically comes with it. Under Victorian regulations. In many cases, permitted retaining walls will need to be:

Designed by a qualified structural engineer in line with Australian Standard AS 4678 (Earth-retaining Structures)
Built in line with registered builder requirements for domestic work, though this can vary depending on the project
Inspected at key construction stages as part of the permit process

It’s best to confirm the specific requirements that apply to your project with your local council or building surveyor.

On Melbourne’s clay-heavy soils, this matters beyond just ticking a box. Drainage design and footing depth directly affect how a wall holds up over 20 or 30 years. A wall built without proper engineering, even a smaller one, can start to lean, bulge, or shift in ways that are expensive to fix down the track.

For taller walls, the process can get more involved. Walls over 2 metres may require additional engineering assessments or geotechnical investigations depending on the site conditions and engineering design, and footing design and construction timelines can become more complex as a result.

Commercial properties add another layer. Zoning overlays, site coverage rules, and planning permits can all intersect with retaining wall approvals. A commercial landscaping company familiar with Melbourne’s planning can help map those out early and avoid surprises further down the track.

Things Worth Getting Right from the Start

Most retaining wall permit issues come back to the same handful of oversights.

Thinking small means exempt. Height is just one factor. Where the wall sits and what it’s supporting matter just as much under the regulations.
Measuring from the high side. Retained height always comes from the lower finished ground level, not from the view at the top of the slope.
Skipping the conversation with your neighbour. On boundary walls, a protection work notice may be required depending on the location and nature of the works, and it’s worth checking early. Getting this out of order can stop a project mid-build.
Assuming who’s responsible without checking. Permit responsibilities can sit with the property owner or be managed by the builder or contractor, depending on the agreement in place. It’s important to clarify who will be responsible for obtaining permits before construction begins. A good team for landscape construction in Melbourne can help clarify this and coordinate the application where it’s within their scope.
Leaving it unresolved. Unpermitted retaining walls come up in property searches. They can hold up sales, affect insurance, and attract enforcement action long after the job is done.

Get in Touch with Love It Landscaping Today

If you’re planning landscaping in Melbourne that involves level changes or retaining work, getting the approvals sorted before design goes too far makes everything smoother.

Our retaining wall specialists design with the whole landscape in mind, working alongside structural engineers, paving installers and garden designers who manage the full process from design through to construction.

Get in touch with the Love It Landscaping team to talk through what your project needs.

Do I Need Council Approval for a Retaining Wall in Victoria?