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Service Areas
Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape is based in Daly City and builds paver and concrete projects, retaining walls, irrigation, landscape lighting and yard drainage across San Francisco, Daly City, Hillsborough, San Mateo and Millbrae. Each city page lists the permit rules that change at the city line.
Where we work
Each city page covers local rules, the permit office, neighborhoods we serve and the projects that fit homes there.
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San Francisco County
San Francisco homes are some of the oldest in the Bay Area: half were built by 1946, on narrow lots with steep driveways, small backyards and sidewalks the owner has to maintain.
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San Mateo County
Daly City is a fog-belt city of 1950s and 60s homes on hillsides, with compact backyards, narrow side yards and slopes that send water toward the house.
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San Mateo County
Hillsborough is an all-residential town of large single-family estates on wooded hills, where almost every home is owner-occupied and long driveways, terraced slopes and mature trees are the norm.
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San Mateo County
San Mateo mixes 1950s and 60s homes on the flat, bay-side neighborhoods with larger hillside lots to the west, so projects range from drainage on low ground to terraced walls on slopes.
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San Mateo County
Millbrae is a small hillside city between SFO and the Peninsula hills, with mostly owner-occupied 1950s and 60s homes on slopes west of El Camino Real.
Service Areas
Go straight to the page for your project. Each one covers the local rules, the finishes that suit homes there and answers to common questions.
Local rules
Rules change at the city line. These limits come from each city's or county's own guidance. Setbacks, HOA rules and site conditions can add more.
| City | Rule | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco City and County of San Francisco | Sidewalk, curb or driveway apron repair | Owner's duty; Sidewalk Repair Permit (Public Works Code §706) |
| Pavers or permeable paving in the sidewalk | Special Sidewalk Surface Permit | |
| Daly City City of Daly City | Retaining wall over 48 in (bottom of footing to top) | Building permit + licensed engineer design |
| Wall under 48 in holding a surcharge or uphill slope | Building permit + licensed engineer design | |
| Hillsborough Town of Hillsborough | Moving 50 cubic yards of soil or more | Design review (§17.56.050) |
| Landscape rehabilitation over 10,000 sq ft | Design review (§17.56.050) | |
| San Mateo City of San Mateo | Sidewalk, curb, gutter or driveway approach | City encroachment permit (min. 10 business days) |
| Owner repairing their own sidewalk | Permit fee waived; bond and insurance required | |
| Millbrae City of Millbrae | BAWSCA Lawn Be Gone! rebate | $2 per sq ft + $300 rain garden |
| Retaining wall over 48 in | Building permit + engineering plan |
What we build
Interlocking paver driveways, patios and walkways, plus concrete walkways, slabs and steps, built on a compacted base with drainage planned in from the start.
Block, poured concrete and wood retaining walls that hold back soil on sloped lots, with gravel backfill and drain pipe behind the wall so water can't build up pressure.
Drip and sprinkler systems with smart controllers, built to water each plant zone only as much as it needs.
Low-voltage LED lighting for paths, steps, patios, walls and trees, run from a transformer with a timer or photocell.
Exterior sump basins, French drains and catch basins that collect water in low spots and side yards and move it away from your house.
We work in San Francisco, Daly City, Hillsborough, San Mateo and Millbrae, all within about 16 miles of our Daly City base. Each city has its own page with local permit rules, neighborhoods and the services we build there.
The California Residential Code (§R105.2) exempts walls up to 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing, that do not hold back a surcharge such as a driveway, building or slope. San Francisco, Daly City, Millbrae, San Mateo and Hillsborough all follow that line. Taller walls, or any wall holding a surcharge, need a permit and plans from a licensed engineer.
Yes. Work in the public right-of-way needs a city permit: a Sidewalk Repair or Special Sidewalk Surface permit from San Francisco Public Works, and an encroachment permit in Daly City and San Mateo. Pavers and concrete entirely on private property usually do not.
It depends on your water provider. SFPUC customers in San Francisco can get up to $250 per WaterSense irrigation controller (up to two). BAWSCA's Lawn Be Gone! pays $2 per sq ft in Millbrae (plus a $300 rain garden rebate) and $1 per sq ft in Hillsborough. Approval is required before you start.
Tell us your city and what you want to build. We'll confirm the local rules and give you a free estimate.
