Spokane’s hills, sloped lots and freeze-thaw winters make retaining walls one of the most common masonry projects in the area. A well-built retaining wall holds back soil, creates flat, usable yard space, controls runoff and protects your foundation and driveway from erosion.
Retaining wall options for Spokane homes
- Segmental (interlocking) block walls – dry-stacked concrete units that are cost-effective, flexible and a good fit for most residential walls.
- Concrete block (CMU) walls – reinforced with rebar and grout for taller or load-bearing walls, often finished with stucco, stone veneer or a cap.
- Natural stone walls – basalt and other stone for a rustic look that suits many Inland Northwest landscapes.
- Terraced walls – two or more shorter walls that step down a steep slope, often easier to permit and build than one tall wall.
Why drainage matters in Spokane
Most retaining wall failures come from water, not the wall itself. Snowmelt and spring rain saturate the soil behind a wall, and freeze-thaw cycles add pressure every winter. A properly built wall includes a compacted gravel base, free-draining gravel backfill, a perforated drain pipe at the base and, for taller walls, geogrid reinforcement tied into the slope.
Do retaining walls need a permit?
Retaining walls taller than about 4 feet (measured from the bottom of the footing), and walls that hold back a driveway, a structure or a steep slope, usually need a permit and sometimes an engineered design. Rules differ between the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley and Spokane County, so we confirm what applies to your property before work starts.
What affects the cost
- Wall height and length
- Block or stone type and finish
- Site access for equipment
- Excavation, soil conditions and drainage needs
- Engineering and permit requirements
- Removal of an old or failing wall
For a rough idea, see our common questions on our home page. The quickest way to get a real number is a free on-site quote.
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