Hillside Retaining in Hillsborough

Many Hillsborough lots are steep, especially on the west side of town. Retaining walls are what turn a slope into a lawn, a terrace or a pool deck.

When a wall needs a permit

Under the California Building Code, a retaining wall is exempt from a building permit only if it is no more than 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and does not support a surcharge. A slope, a driveway or a structure above the wall counts as a surcharge. Some towns set stricter limits, so we confirm the local rule first.

Water first

Most of the work in a good wall is unseen: drainage behind it, a footing sized for the soil, and a plan for where winter rain goes.

From our work

Pinehill. Precision concrete, architectural retaining, terraces, poolside spaces. View project

Shirley Residence. Retaining walls, bluestone terrace, timber steps, decking. View project

Bates Road. Specimen trees, layered planting, hillside improvements. View project