Retaining Walls in Seattle
Seattle ConcreteCONTRACTORS
(206) 566-0528
Poured concrete and block retaining walls for sloped Seattle lots: level yards, driveway cuts, terraced beds and replacements for leaning walls.
- Drain rock, pipe and outlet behind every wall
- Engineering and permits flagged early
- Steps and patios tied in where needed
Get a retaining wall quote
Tell us about the project. We’ll call or email to talk it through.
What to know about retaining walls in Seattle
A retaining wall holds back soil and the water in it. Water is the part people underestimate. When the soil behind a wall stays saturated through a Seattle winter, the pressure on it climbs, and walls built without drainage lean, crack and eventually fail. Every wall we plan starts with where the water goes.
Level yards
Turning a slope into usable lawn or patio space.
Driveway cuts
Holding back soil beside a driveway or parking pad.
Terraced beds
Lower walls in steps for planting.
Replacing failed walls
Old rockeries, timber walls and leaning block walls.
Walls with steps
Stairs and landings built into the wall.
Seat walls
Low walls around patios that double as seating.
Options to talk through
| Type | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Poured concrete | Driveway cuts, taller walls, tight spots near property lines | Needs a footing, forms and cure time; can be smooth or board-formed |
| Concrete block (CMU) | Structural walls with a stone, stucco or painted face | Reinforced and grouted on a footing |
| Segmental block | Garden terraces and lower walls | Taller walls need geogrid back into the slope |
How Seattle’s ground and weather affect retaining walls
Drainage
Drain rock, a perforated pipe at the base and a planned outlet go behind the wall, plus weep holes where they fit.
Height and permits
Walls over 4 ft measured from the bottom of the footing, or walls holding back a driveway or slope, generally need an SDCI permit and engineering.
Critical areas
Seattle maps steep slopes and landslide-prone areas as ECAs. Walls there get more review, sometimes a geotechnical report.
Neighbors
Walls near a property line or that could affect a neighbor’s slope need extra care and sometimes a survey.
Soil
Glacial till, clay and old fill all behave differently. The footing and drainage are sized for what’s there.
Access
Narrow side yards and steep access change how a wall is built and which material makes sense.
Planning a retaining wall in Seattle?
Call to talk it through, or send a few details and photos.
How the job runs
- Site visitHeight, length, slope, water and access.
- Design and permitsEngineering and SDCI permits where needed.
- Excavate and footingDig, set the footing, place steel.
- Build and drainWall, drain rock, pipe, outlet and backfill.
What retaining walls typically cost in the Seattle area
Ballpark numbers help you plan a budget before anyone visits. Use them as a starting point, not a promise.
| Wall type | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Poured concrete, up to 4 ft | $80–$150 per linear ft |
| Poured concrete, 4–8 ft (engineered) | $150–$300+ per linear ft |
| CMU block wall | $60–$120 per linear ft |
| Segmental retaining block | $40–$90 per linear ft |
| Engineering and permit fees (walls over 4 ft) | add $2,000–$5,000 |
Typical market ranges, not a quote from Seattle Concrete Contractors. These are ranges other Seattle-area concrete contractors publish for this work (Seattle Concrete (seattleconcrete.com) service pages (another Seattle wall builder lists $30–$100 per sq ft of wall face by type), checked November 2026). Your price depends on size, access, removal, base work, finish and permits. We give a written quote after we understand the job.
What affects the price
These are the things that move a quote most, in roughly the order they matter.
Height
Taller walls need bigger footings, more steel and engineering.
Surcharge
A driveway, house or slope above the wall adds load.
Drainage
Rock, pipe and outlets are part of the price and non-negotiable.
Access
Hand-digging and pumping on tight sites add time.
Removal
Tearing out an old wall or rockery adds cost.
Finish
Board-formed, veneer or plain finish.
What a good written quote should include
Whoever you hire, ask for these in writing. They’re what separate a slab that lasts from one that cracks in two winters.
Scope and size
The area, thickness and shape, so you can compare quotes on the same job.
Base and drainage
How deep the excavation goes, how much gravel, and where water goes.
Reinforcement and joints
Rebar or mesh, dowels into existing concrete, and joint spacing.
Finish and sealing
The finish, whether it’s sealed, and what upkeep to expect.
Removal and cleanup
Demolition, haul-away and site restoration.
Permits and schedule
Which permits apply, who pulls them, and cure time before use.
Retaining Walls: common questions
Do retaining walls in Seattle need a permit?
Walls taller than 4 ft from the bottom of the footing, walls holding back a driveway or slope, and walls in an ECA generally need an SDCI permit. Short garden walls often don’t.
Do I need an engineer?
For taller walls, walls with load above them, and walls in critical areas, usually yes. We’ll tell you early.
Why do retaining walls lean?
Usually water pressure behind a wall with no drainage, or a footing that’s too small for the soil.
Can you replace an old rockery?
Yes. Depending on height and what’s above it, the replacement might be poured concrete, block or an engineered rockery.
Can a wall go on the property line?
Sometimes, but it needs care: a survey, neighbor coordination and sometimes engineering.
How long do concrete walls last?
A well-drained, properly reinforced concrete wall can last many decades. Drainage is the deciding factor.
Other areas we serve
Retaining Walls planning notes, permits and local conditions for each city we cover.
Retaining walls in BellevuePhotos are illustrative, not completed projects of ours.
Concrete Steps & Stairs
Concrete Patios
Concrete Foundations
Concrete DrivewaysTell us about your project
A few photos and rough measurements are enough to start. If you’re not sure what the job needs, describe the problem and we’ll talk it through.
Call (206) 566-0528 or use the quote form at the top of this page.
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Seattle Concrete Contractors | (206) 566-0528 | Seattle, WA