Retaining walls in Johnson City
From older lots near downtown to newer subdivisions out toward Boones Creek, Johnson City is a town of sloped yards.
Johnson City is the largest city in the Tri-Cities, with 71,046 people at the 2020 census. It lies mostly in Washington County, with smaller pieces reaching into Carter and Sullivan counties. East Tennessee State University anchors the west side, Buffalo Mountain Park rises to the south, and growth has pushed north along State of Franklin Road and out toward Boones Creek.
Typical Johnson City wall jobs
- Rebuilding old stone and block walls on narrow, sloping lots near downtown and the Tree Streets
- Replacing railroad-tie walls on older ranch and split-level homes
- Leveling backyards in newer neighborhoods on the north side
- Driveway and parking walls on streets that climb the ridges
- Fixing walls near rental houses around ETSU before they fail
Permits inside the city
The City of Johnson City Building Division takes permit applications through its CityView portal, by email or at the permit counter at 601 E. Main St. The city has adopted the 2018 International Residential Code, with local amendments in the city code. A contractor working on a general project above $24,999 must show a Tennessee contractor's license before the city issues a permit, and the city requires a $10,000 surety bond from licensed trades.
Frost and footings
The city's published design criteria list a frost line depth of 12 inches and severe weathering, which is why builders bury the first course and use compacted stone rather than setting block right on the surface.
Common questions
Do you cover every Johnson City neighborhood?
Yes. Call with your address and you'll be connected with a builder that works in your part of town.
Where do I get a retaining wall permit in Johnson City?
Through the City of Johnson City Building Division, online through CityView, by email or at 601 E. Main St. Your builder can usually handle it.
Services in Johnson City
- Block retaining wallsInterlocking concrete block walls that level a sloped yard, edge a driveway or hold a patio.
- Failing wall repairFix a wall that's bowing, cracking or shedding blocks, or rebuild the section that's giving out.
- Timber wall replacementTear out rotting landscape timbers and railroad ties and replace them with block or stone.
- Stone retaining wallsDry-laid limestone, fieldstone and stone-faced walls that fit older homes and garden terraces.
- Drainage behind wallsAdd or fix the drain, stone backfill and outlets that keep water from shoving your wall over.
Nearby areas
Wall bowing out, timbers rotting or water pouring through the face?
Call and a local retaining wall builder will come look at it and give you a quote.