Are retaining walls considered when assessing setbacks or building height?
Generally, no. A retaining wall is not treated as part of the building when calculating the building’s setback or building height. It is a separate structure and may have its own applicable siting and approval requirements. For building height specifically, ACT Planning expressly states that retaining walls are not considered buildings or parts of buildings for building-height calculations.
No. A retaining wall is generally assessed separately from the house, so it is not added to the house when measuring the house's setback or height.
For example, if a retaining wall is closer to the side boundary than the house, you would not normally use the retaining wall as the outer edge of the house and say that the house itself breaches its side setback. The house setback is assessed from the relevant part of the building.
The retaining wall still needs to be checked separately because different requirements may apply to the wall depending on its height and where it is located.
Similarly, the height of a retaining wall is not added to the building height simply because the house is located behind or above it.
Reference: ACT Planning Advisory Note 09 – Building Heights, Storeys and Basements - Building heights, storeys and basements
Link on the answer: https://www.planning.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/2323002/an09-working-out-building-heights-storeys-basements.pdf
Where this question is kept
| Dual Occupancy Q&A | #491 | agrees | 27/08/2026 |