Gray concrete block retaining wall along a concrete walkway with a planted terrace above

Retaining Walls · Hillsborough, CA

Retaining Walls & Terracing in Hillsborough, CA

Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape builds block and concrete retaining walls and terraced slopes for Hillsborough homes. On hillside lots, walls often hold back driveways or the hill itself, so walls over 4 feet or with a surcharge need a building permit and engineered plans.

  • Hillsborough 94010
  • 18 years of experience
  • Free estimates
Call 415-676-7003 Get a Free Estimate

Retaining Walls in Hillsborough

What Hillsborough homeowners should know

Terracing big slopes

Rather than one tall wall, a series of lower terraced walls can turn a steep Hillsborough slope into usable garden levels. Whether each wall needs engineering depends on its height and what it holds back.

Earthwork can trigger design review

Cutting into a hillside for walls and terraces can add up quickly. Moving 50 cubic yards of soil or more triggers design review under Hillsborough Municipal Code §17.56.050.

Walls that last

Drain rock, filter fabric and perforated pipe behind each wall keep water pressure off it, which matters on wooded hillsides where soil stays wet into spring.

Gray concrete block retaining wall along a concrete walkway with a planted terrace above
Gray concrete block retaining wall along a concrete walkway with a planted terrace above. Project by Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape.

Retaining Walls services we offer in Hillsborough

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.

  • Concrete block (segmental) retaining walls
  • Poured concrete walls formed on site
  • Low planter and seat walls
  • Drain rock, filter fabric and perforated pipe behind the wall
  • Steps and terracing on sloped yards

Hillsborough design review and wall rules

Hillsborough's Planning and Building Departments handle design review and permits. We confirm which review applies to your address at the site visit.

Location / item Limit
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)
Synthetic turf visible from the street Design review (§17.56.050)
Retaining wall over 4 ft or holding a surcharge Building permit + engineered design (CRC §R105.2)
Setbacks 25 ft front, 20 ft interior
BAWSCA Lawn Be Gone! rebate $1 per sq ft; no rain garden rebate

Block walls vs. poured concrete walls

Concrete block (segmental) Poured concrete
Look Textured block faces and caps Smooth or formed face; can be clad in stone
Typical use Garden terraces and lower walls Taller walls, tight lots and walls next to driveways
Build Stacked units, no curing time Forms, rebar and curing time
Drainage Gravel and drain pipe behind the wall Gravel, drain pipe and weep openings or a drain

Our retaining walls process

  1. 1

    Slope and soil check

    We look at the height, what the wall will hold back and where the water goes.

  2. 2

    Permit check

    Walls over 4 ft from the bottom of the footing, or holding back a driveway, building or slope, need a permit and engineered plans.

  3. 3

    Excavation and footing

    We dig the trench and build the footing or leveling pad the wall sits on.

  4. 4

    Build and drain

    We set the block or pour the wall, and add drain rock and pipe behind it as it goes up.

  5. 5

    Backfill and finish

    We backfill in lifts, cap the wall and restore the planting area.

Retaining Walls in Hillsborough: FAQ

When does a Hillsborough retaining wall need engineering?

When it is over 4 feet from the bottom of the footing, or when it holds back a surcharge such as a driveway, building or slope. That follows California Residential Code §R105.2.

Is one tall wall or several terraces better?

Terraces spread the load over lower walls, are easier to plant and can look more natural on a big slope. The right answer depends on space, soil and access.

Will my wall project need Town design review?

It may if the work moves 50 cubic yards of soil or more, or is part of a landscape rehabilitation over 10,000 sq ft. We check that at the first site visit.

Ready to start your Hillsborough project?

Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape builds retaining walls projects across Hillsborough and nearby cities. Estimates are free.

415-676-7003 Free Estimate