I understand in most cities if you build a concrete or masonry wall
like a privacy wall along the property line you will need a permit, in
Miami here you have to design the footings and wind load etc...and it
makes a masonry wall fence cost prohibitive.

I am wondering when is a wall considered a wall? I mean if I lay
concrete blocks around the property just 8" tall I don't think it
would be considered a wall, but may be a plant border. So at some
point, it becomes a "real wall"? I wonder what the threshold is. I
am thinking of doing a concrete border may be 16" tall (two 8" blocks)
I wonder if I need a structural footing for that...looking for an
effect like this:

http://www.rogerhopkins.com/portfoli...checter003.JPG

http://www.eruuf.org/Wall.jpg

of course, the blocks would have stucco applied and painted.

Thanks,

MC