On shared unceded L̓il̓wat7úl and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory

Retaining walls and landscape features are regulated under our Zoning and Parking Bylaw, and there are restrictions on height and how close to the property line they can be. Please refer to part 5.7 of the General Regulations for more information.

Zoning and Parking Bylaw
Whistler village in spring. Photo by Justa Jeskova.

Retaining walls 

Retaining walls can be in setback areas under the following conditions: 

  1. The maximum allowable retaining wall height is 1.22 metres.  
  2. The maximum setback from any parcel line that does not touch a public road or private strata road is 0 metres.  
  3. A minimum 2 metre setback is needed for any parcel line that touches a public road or private strata road. 
  4. When there are two or more retaining walls in the same setback area, each retaining wall must be at least a horizontal distance of 1.22 metres apart. The maximum finished ground slope between retaining walls shouldn’t be more than 1:4 (1 rise for every 4 run).  

The updates to the zoning bylaw differentiate retaining walls from other landscape features by allowing them to be in setback areas under the following conditions: 

  1. Increase the maximum allowable height of retaining walls from 0.6 metres to 1.22 metres.  
  2. Decrease the allowable setback from any parcel line that does not abut a highway (any public or private strata road) from 1 to 2 metres to 0 metres.  
  3. Maintain the allowable setback from any parcel line that abuts a highway (any public or private strata road) at 2 metres. 
  4. Where there are two or more retaining walls within the same setback area, require each retaining wall to be separated from any other retaining wall by a horizontal distance of 1.22 metres; and limit the maximum slope of finished ground between retaining walls to not more than 1:4 (1 rise: 4 run).  

Landscape features 

  1. Landscape features in setback areas can be 1 metre high. This includes planters, stairs, walkways, decks and decorative walls, but it doesn’t include retaining walls. 
  2. The allowable setback from any side parcel line is 1 metre. The allowable setback from any front or rear parcel line is 2 metres.  

See part 5.7 of the general regulations of Zoning and Parking Bylaw for details. 

The updates to the zoning bylaw include the following changes for landscape features: 

  1. Increase the maximum allowable height of all landscape features (including planters, stairs, walkways, decks and decorative walls, but not including retaining walls) in setback areas from 0.6 metres to 1 metre. 
  2. Maintain the allowable setback from any side parcel line at 1m and from any front or rear parcel line at 2 metre.  

Contact 

Planning Department 
604-935-8170 

planning@whistler.ca