Retaining walls and seating walls that hold the grade

Turn a slope into usable space.

Anne Arundel County is full of sloped lots, bluffs, creek banks and yards that slope toward the house. A well-built wall solves several problems at once: it holds soil, controls how water moves, creates level space for a patio, lawn or garden, and gives the property structure. A poorly built wall does the opposite, and it fails slowly until it fails all at once. We build walls to last.

Wall types

Stone walls

Natural stone with a timeless, landscape-integrated look.

Block walls

Engineered segmental block in a range of colors and finishes.

Timber walls

A practical, budget-conscious option for lower grade changes and garden beds.

Concrete walls

Poured walls for clean modern lines and heavier-duty needs.

Seating walls

Low walls at patio edges and fire features that double as built-in seating.

Garden bed and planter walls

Raised beds that define planting areas and manage small grade changes.

What you can't see is what matters.

Evaluate

We look at height, soil, slope, what's above the wall (driveway, house, patio) and where water goes.

Plan the water

Drainage behind the wall is not optional.

Build

Prepared base, level courses, proper backfill in lifts and a clean cap.

Finish

Grading and planting around the wall so it looks like it belongs.

Featured project: a commercial retaining wall in Annapolis.

At an Annapolis shopping center, we replaced a row of concrete jersey barriers with a segmental block retaining wall along a new concrete sidewalk strip, then finished the slope behind it with fresh sod. See the project step by step.

Walls and water belong in the same plan.

Retaining walls and drainage are two halves of the same job. When we add a wall, we plan where surface and subsurface water will go. Learn more: Drainage & Grading

Anne Arundel considerations before a wall goes in.

Rules and site conditions vary from one property to the next, so treat this as a general guide rather than legal or engineering advice. At your free on-site estimate we'll point out what to confirm for your lot.

• Height and permits. The County's permit guide says residential retaining walls over 24 inches need a permit. Walls that support a driveway, patio or building above them deserve extra scrutiny. Anne Arundel County: Do I need a permit?
• Moving soil. Building a wall usually means cutting and filling. The County's Standard Grading Plan is meant for small, simple jobs (it has limits on area disturbed, depth of cut and fill, and steep slopes), and larger or more complex work goes through a grading permit. Anne Arundel County: Grading permits
• Near tidal water. Within 1,000 feet of tidal water or tidal wetlands, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area rules apply. The 100-foot Buffer can expand for steep slopes and erodible soils, and disturbing the Buffer generally needs approval before work starts. Anne Arundel County: Critical Area
• Soil and water. County soils run from sandy, fast-draining ground near the shoreline to heavy, slow-draining clay a short distance inland. Clay holds water and pushes harder on a wall, which is why drainage behind the wall matters so much. You can look up the soil on your own lot with the USDA Web Soil Survey.

Choosing a wall material

Natural stone suits informal, landscape-style walls and curved layouts. Segmental block is manufactured as a system, with a consistent look and published design guidance for taller or more heavily loaded walls. Timber works for low grade changes and garden beds. Poured concrete gives clean modern lines and handles heavier-duty needs. We'll talk through which fits your slope, your style and what sits above the wall.

What our clients say

Rated 5.0 on Google by our customers. Read our reviews, or leave us a review.

Frequently asked questions

What materials do you use for retaining walls?

We build retaining and seating walls from stone, block, timber or concrete, depending on the height, the look you want and what the site demands.

How tall can a retaining wall be before it needs engineering?

It depends on the wall's height, what it supports and local requirements.

Can a retaining wall also be seating?

Yes. Low seating walls around patios and fire features add structure and built-in seating, and we design them into our outdoor living projects.

Will a retaining wall fix my drainage problem?

A wall holds soil; it doesn't move water by itself. We plan drainage with every wall, and where the real problem is water, we fix it with grading, swales or French drains as part of the same project.

How long does a retaining wall project take?

Larger construction projects such as retaining walls take longer than smaller jobs, depending on length, height, materials, weather and site conditions. We give you a clear timeline with your estimate, before work begins.

Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Anne Arundel County?

Often, yes. The County's permit guide says residential retaining walls over 24 inches need a permit, and grading or Critical Area approvals can apply to walls of any height if you are moving soil or working near tidal water. Requirements depend on your property, so confirm with Anne Arundel County Inspections & Permits. See the County permit guide.

Why do retaining walls lean or fail?

The usual causes are water pressure building up behind the wall, a weak or poorly prepared base, and backfill that was not placed in lifts. That is why we evaluate the soil, slope and what sits above the wall first, plan the water, and then build on a prepared base with proper backfill.

Can I build a retaining wall near the water or in the Critical Area?

Possibly, with approval. Properties within 1,000 feet of tidal water or tidal wetlands fall under Critical Area rules, and disturbing the 100-foot Buffer generally requires approval first. We'll help you identify what to check before any work is scheduled. See the County Critical Area page.

Related services: Hardscaping & Patios · Landscape Design & Installation

Riverside Landscaping is licensed, bonded and insured in Maryland (MHIC #160581).

Got a slope that's costing you yard?

We'll walk the grade with you, explain your options and send a clear written proposal. Call 443-333-3136 or request a free on-site estimate.