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Memo To: Board of Commissioners From: Jonathan B. Marshall, Commerce Director CC: Mike Downs, Deputy County Manager; Scott Devaux, Chief Building Inspector; Tony Johnson, Erosion Control Manager Date: July 2, 2007 Re: Retaining Walls on Commercial Sites The North Carolina Building Code requires regulation of retaining walls under some circumstances. Retaining walls on non-residential sites that exceed five feet in height must be included in the pennit for that construction site or be issued a separate permit. The code requires that these retaining walls be designed by a registered engineer, and that evidence of that design be submitted to Construction Standards. Once the wall has been constructed, the engineer must inspect the construction and certify that it has been done properly. The design and inspection information are subject to review by the Chief Building Inspector. There is a problem with retaining walls not being noted on construction documents despite the code requirement. It is much more likely that the walls will be noted in a the grading plan, however, so we are proposing some changes to the permit and review process to ensure proper regulation. The Environmental Protection Division of Commerce will begin to require that retaining walls of more than five feet in height be noted on all sediment and erosion control plans. Staff from that division will then notify the owner/contractor of the need to obtain a building permit for the wall. There is very little staff resources required for a permit of this type. The primary responsibility for design and inspection lies with the engineer for the project, although there may be occasions where field verification by the Chief Building Inspector or his staff may be required. As such we are proposing a permit fee of $25 to cover administrative costs. The retaining wall requirements are already included in NC Building Code and the Cabarrus County Sediment and Erosion Control Ordinance includes language that allows the Division to require that the walls be noted on submitted plans. The only action required of the Board of Commissioners is the addition of a retaining wall pennit to the Construction Standards fee schedule with a cost of $25. Please let me know if you have any questions concerning this. I may be contacted at 704-920-2145 or ibmarshall(")a cabarruscoutv.us. -~