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Hi, I've been living in the ToNH for 7 years. My house has a sloped backyard. I've been wanting to level it and put in a patio, which requires a 2 feet retaining wall. My landscaper told me permits are not required for pavers. I've also read multiple threads here that any structure less than 4 feet, a permit is not required as they do not post any danger. The work of retaining started and the landscaper moved super fast to dig and pour cement after 1.5 day.
However, when I just called the Building Department, the person I spoke to basically said everything requires a permit. I am considering stopping the patio work altogether.
ToNH is so strict. What would you do if you were me?
1) Finish the retaining wall but not the patio?
2) Dont build the Patio?
3) Continue with the project?
Will I ever to make my home my dream home so I can enjoy???
Sometimes it’s easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. If I recall correctly, you haven’t had the best of luck with your contractor over the years.
IF you approach this logically there would be no question that you need a permit for a retaining wall. You are essentially trying to shore up a portion of your property with a wall. In the process of doing that, if done correctly, you will excavate to some degree the area where the wall will be. That can impact the neighbors property and yours, in terms of slides and drainage. The last thing you want is a neighbor to have a problem after you are done without benefit of a permit. SYOP what you are doing and get the permit. TNH can be unrelentless with this stuff.
How the pavers are going to set is what will determine if a permit is necessary or not. Concrete? then yes, a permit is required. Gravel and sand, permit not necessary. BE advised that they will return to inspect the wall before giving you a CoC, so if you are having the work done, don't think you will get a concrete patio by them, if they are done at the same time. They will come with a rod and slip it between the pavers and if it hits concrete, you will need to pay penalties for failure to obtain a permit.
Hi Long Isle, Good to hear from you again! Good memory! After that incident with my friend's husband as my contractor, I found a very good one i've been using over the years. I hope he never retires.
Are you suggesting that I should deal it it later when I sell?
IF you approach this logically there would be no question that you need a permit for a retaining wall. You are essentially trying to shore up a portion of your property with a wall. In the process of doing that, if done correctly, you will excavate to some degree the area where the wall will be. That can impact the neighbors property and yours, in terms of slides and drainage. The last thing you want is a neighbor to have a problem after you are done without benefit of a permit. STOP what you are doing and get the permit. TNH can be unrelentless with this stuff.
How the pavers are going to set is what will determine if a permit is necessary or not. Concrete? then yes, a permit is required. Gravel and sand, permit not necessary. BE advised that they will return to inspect the wall before giving you a CoC, so if you are having the work done, don't think you will get a concrete patio by them, if they are done at the same time. They will come with a rod and slip it between the pavers and if it hits concrete, you will need to pay penalties for failure to obtain a permit.
In other words, you have three options,
Get it all under one permit (Cheaper)
Get retaining wall done with permit and then set pavers in sand
Don't get it done at all
Edited to state there is a 4th option of doing it all without benefit of a permit, but I touched on that above.
Last edited by nuts2uiam; 07-27-2020 at 07:30 AM..
Reason: stated
Hi nuts2uiam, good to hear from you again! Good point about the neighbors. My yard is across 5 different neighbors because my lot is big. The existing retaining walls are built sloppily across five different people as their properties are lower than mine and they are responsible for the walls. I have one wall that's 2 feet shorter than the other one, one has rotten wood - hence my slopped yard. Sigh. The retaining wall is all within my property line and about 4 feet away from the retaining wall the neighbors built and the property line. I would think the wall will help my neighbor as I will keep some water away?
I read the thread where you commented about the paver patio a couple years ago and that's why I planned to do it. However, the guy at the building department said EVERYTHING regardless of how it's done requires a permit. That's why I was so frustrated.
Hi nuts2uiam, good to hear from you again! Good point about the neighbors. My yard is across 5 different neighbors because my lot is big. The existing retaining walls are built sloppily across five different people as their properties are lower than mine and they are responsible for the walls. I have one wall that's 2 feet shorter than the other one, one has rotten wood - hence my slopped yard. Sigh. The retaining wall is all within my property line and about 4 feet away from the retaining wall the neighbors built and the property line. I would think the wall will help my neighbor as I will keep some water away?
I read the thread where you commented about the paver patio a couple years ago and that's why I planned to do it. However, the guy at the building department said EVERYTHING regardless of how it's done requires a permit. That's why I was so frustrated.
Do not THINK. You currently have a decrepit wall that is, at the very least, not allowing for water to impact the neighbors. You will be disturbing soil, maybe tree roots etc, and possibly could impact them. I am telling you that this is a fools errand if you continue. Hope you have good insurance.
Call any paver installer and tell them you are in TNH and are thinking of putting a patio and ask if you need a permit if in gravel and sand. Unless they have changed the rules, which is possible, the answer is no.
Hi Long Isle, Good to hear from you again! Good memory! After that incident with my friend's husband as my contractor, I found a very good one i've been using over the years. I hope he never retires.
Are you suggesting that I should deal it it later when I sell?
At this point I would plead ignorance and finish the project ASAP. You needed to get plans before you started any of this. Hopefully ToNH doesn’t pick it up, you get 20-30 years of fun and worry about it when you sell. Good luck!!
There's a decrepit wall already there? You're making a repair. That would be my story and I'd stick to it.
But if your neighbors end up with drainage issues, expect the town to come for you.
A retaining wall ON your property (not the border) should not cause issues when you sell.
In most jursidictions you only need a permit for a patio or deck more than 8 inches off the ground.
Last edited by twingles; 07-27-2020 at 02:17 PM..
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