Retaining Walls in Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County

A retaining wall holds back soil. In Kootenai County, settle who designs the wall, especially above a certain height, and who inspects it.

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What a retaining wall involves

A retaining wall holds soil in place where the ground changes level. On sloped Kootenai County lots it can make room for a pad or a driveway, or keep soil from moving toward a building. It is part of the after-the-dig stage, together with drainage, because water behind a wall matters as much as the wall itself.

The key questions are about responsibility. Who designs the wall, especially above a certain height, and who inspects it? Settling them before the dig keeps the work from running ahead of the design.

When people need a retaining wall

A pad or driveway is cut into a slope.
Soil is moving toward a building.
A level area is needed on a sloped lot.
A cut bank needs to be held back.
A driveway or path needs support on a hillside.
Drainage and grading alone cannot hold the ground in place.

What the work usually looks like

Plan. The location, length and purpose of the wall are decided, and who designs it is settled.
Locate. 811 notice comes before digging.
Excavate. The wall line is dug and the base is prepared.
Build. The wall is built to the design.
Drain. Drainage behind the wall is placed.
Backfill and inspect. Soil is placed behind the wall and the inspection is arranged.

How to prepare

Settle these points before work starts:

Decide where the wall is needed and why.
Settle who designs the wall, especially above a certain height.
Settle who inspects it.
Ask the county or your city whether a permit is needed.
Settle how water behind the wall will be handled.
Find out who is requesting 811 and get the ticket number.
Get the scope and price in writing.

What affects the cost

Excavation is commonly priced by the hour for operator and machine, or as a set price for a defined scope. For a retaining wall, the total depends on its size and how it is designed.

Length and height. A longer or taller wall takes more time and material.
Design. A designed wall adds a step.
Drainage. Drainage behind the wall adds material and work.
Ground conditions. Rock and wet ground slow digging.
Inspection. Arranging the inspection is part of the job.
Access. Distance to the lot can affect a job.

Why design and inspection come first

A retaining wall is a structure, so who designs it and who inspects it should be settled before any ground is broken. Kootenai County says building permits cover structures, so ask the county or your city whether the wall needs one. Getting a written answer before the dig prevents a wall from being built before its design is settled.

Local rules and sources

Permits. Kootenai County says permits are required before site disturbance such as grading, excavating and storm drainage or run-off control, and building permits cover structures. Inside a city, start with the city's building or planning office. Outside city limits, start with Kootenai County's Building Division (208-446-1040).

811. Under Idaho Code 55-2205, the excavator marks the dig area in white paint and gives notice two to ten business days before digging. Once utilities mark their lines, the excavator is responsible for keeping the markings visible, and they stay valid for no more than four consecutive weeks. If digging hasn't started within three weeks of the notice, notice must be given again. Wait until every utility on the ticket has responded before you dig.

Dig Safe North Idaho 811 serves Bonner, Boundary and Kootenai counties (800-428-4950). 811 may route a call from near a county line to a different center; the direct line for Kootenai County is 800-428-4950.

Registration. Idaho requires contractors to register with the Idaho Contractors Board at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Idaho law counts excavating as construction (Idaho Code 54-5203). Some work is exempt, such as a single small project priced under $2,000 that is not part of a larger job (54-5205). Check the company on DOPL's public search before you agree to anything.

Reasons to trust this page

Most rules on this page name their public source, such as an Idaho statute or a county office.
Cost factors are explained in plain terms, and this site does not quote prices.
The email address is shown at the top of every page, and the Privacy page says what a quote request collects.

Common questions

What does a retaining wall do?

A retaining wall holds back soil where the ground changes level. It can make room for a pad or driveway on a slope. Settle who designs the wall, especially above a certain height, and who inspects it, before any digging starts, and put both answers in the written scope.

Who designs a retaining wall?

That should be settled in writing before work starts, especially above a certain height. Ask the county or your city who has to design and who has to inspect a wall on your lot, and ask the company pricing the work whether a design is part of its scope.

Does a retaining wall need a permit in Kootenai County?

Kootenai County says building permits cover structures, and permits are required before site disturbance such as grading and excavating. Inside a city, start with the city's building or planning office. Outside city limits, start with the county's Building Division at 208-446-1040.

Is drainage part of a retaining wall?

Water behind a wall matters as much as the wall itself, so drainage is planned with it. Drainage belongs to the last stage of a dig, together with backfill and grading. Settle how water will be handled in the written scope, and who is responsible if it collects.

Who calls 811 before wall excavation?

In Idaho the excavator gives notice two to ten business days before digging, after marking the dig area in white paint. Settle who is requesting 811 and get the ticket number. Wait until every utility on the ticket has responded before you dig.

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