Knowledge Base

Retaining Walls - Are they Private or Public?

Most of the retaining walls in the City of Dubuque abutting private property are private walls and the responsibility of the abutting property owner. The City receives many calls from residents about a failed retaining wall and whose responsibility it is to fix. The retaining wall ownership is usually in question. Sometimes, the retaining wall is described in the property abstract for the property. The City's position is if the wall supports private property along the frontage of the property, the wall is private. If the wall supports a city street or alley it might be public but not always. Most retaining walls in Dubuque are private and the responsibility of the abutting private property owner to maintain.