McKinney, TX
Pavers and Retaining Walls in McKinney, TX
McKinney has a rule worth knowing before you plan anything in the backyard: "A permit for any retaining wall is required in the City of McKinney, regardless of height. Retaining walls more than two feet in height require engineered plans." If you're planning a wall, a terraced bed or a patio on a slope, that changes the timeline and the price. Call (469) 283-6279 and we'll connect you with a paver and retaining wall pro serving McKinney. Ask whether they'll pull the permit, who draws the engineered plans if the wall is over 2 feet, and what goes behind the wall to drain it. The same base and drainage questions apply to patios and driveways here.
Last updated October 23, 2026
What McKinney's retaining wall rule means for your project
- Any height needs a permit. Even a low garden wall.
- Over 2 feet needs engineered plans. That's an engineer's drawing, and it adds time and cost.
- Property lines. McKinney says a retaining wall may be built along a property line "provided drainage on adjacent properties is not negatively affected."
- Questions: Building Inspections, 469-617-4800 (ask for a plans examiner).
- Before digging: call 1-800-DIG-TESS (1-800-344-8377) so utilities can be marked.
Get the permit and engineering on the written quote so they aren't a surprise later.
Why walls lean, and what stops it
Gravel backfill instead of clay, a perforated drain pipe at the base with somewhere to send the water, filter fabric between the stone and the soil, and a compacted footing. On a slope, water is what pushes the wall over. See Retaining Walls and Hardscaping.
Patios and driveways on McKinney clay
The clay under McKinney yards swells and shrinks like the rest of Collin County. A compacted crushed stone base, at least 4 inches under a patio and more under a driveway, with edging and a slope away from the house, keeps pavers flat. A McKinney concrete pro put a standard broom-finish concrete driveway at "between $10 and $18 per square foot," which is useful for comparing pavers against concrete. See Paver Patio Contractor and Paver Driveway Installation.
Fences, HOAs and the backyard
McKinney fence permits run $30, with rear-yard fences up to 8 feet 6 inches and front-yard fences up to 48 inches and at least 50% open. If your project moves or changes a fence to get equipment in, that may need a permit too. Check your HOA's deed restrictions as well.
What McKinney homeowners call about
Retaining walls, patio pavers, driveway pavers, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, sod, and stamped concrete (press 2, Stamped Concrete Patios).
What happens after you call
- Call (469) 283-6279, press 1 for pavers and hardscaping or 2 for concrete, and enter your McKinney zip.
- You're connected with a pro who works in McKinney.
- For a wall, they measure the height and plan the permit and, over 2 feet, the engineering.
- You get a written price that includes the permit, then the work, then a walk-through before the last payment.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit for a small retaining wall in McKinney?
Yes. McKinney requires a permit for any retaining wall, regardless of height.
When does a McKinney retaining wall need an engineer?
When it's more than 2 feet tall, McKinney requires engineered plans.
Who do I call about a retaining wall permit in McKinney?
McKinney Building Inspections at 469-617-4800. Ask for a plans examiner.
Can I build a retaining wall on the property line in McKinney?
McKinney allows it as long as drainage on the neighboring properties isn't negatively affected.
Get the permit and the drainage right before the first block goes in
Call (469) 283-6279 and we'll connect you with a retaining wall and paver pro serving McKinney.