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Service area · San Mateo County
Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape builds paver and concrete projects, retaining walls, landscape lighting and yard drainage in San Mateo (94401–94404), from the flats near the Bay to the hills of Baywood and Hillsdale. In San Mateo, any sidewalk, curb or driveway apron work needs a City encroachment permit.
Services in San Mateo
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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Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape installs paver patios, walkways and driveways and concrete flatwork in San Mateo. When the job reaches the street (sidewalk, curb or driveway approach), the City of San Mateo requires an encroachment permit, with at least 10 business days for review.
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Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape builds block and poured concrete retaining walls and low planter walls in San Mateo, mostly in the hillside neighborhoods west of El Camino Real. Walls over 4 feet from the bottom of the footing, or holding a slope or driveway, need a building permit and engineered plans.
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Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape installs low-voltage LED lighting for San Mateo front walks, steps, patios, planter walls and trees. Evening marine-layer fog is common in San Mateo, and good path and step lighting keeps yards safe and usable after dark.
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Garcia's Landscape & Hardscape installs exterior sump basins, French drains and catch basins for San Mateo yards. Flat, low neighborhoods near the Bay, including North Shoreview, which was in the FEMA flood zone until October 2024, are where yard water most often has nowhere to go.
See sump pumps in San MateoLocal know-how
The City of San Mateo requires an encroachment permit for work in the public right-of-way, including sidewalk, curb, gutter, driveway approach and sidewalk underdrains. Owners repairing their own sidewalk get the permit fee waived, but bonds and insurance still apply. Allow at least 10 business days for review.
North Shoreview and parts of North Central were mapped into the FEMA flood zone in 2001. After levee and pump station upgrades, about 1,600 addresses came off the map in a revision effective October 11, 2024. Low, flat lots there still benefit from good yard drainage.
Baywood, Hillsdale and the neighborhoods above El Camino Real have sloped lots where retaining walls and terraced patios are common. Walls over 4 feet from the bottom of the footing, or holding back a slope or driveway, need a permit and engineered plans.
Evening fog off the Bay is common in San Mateo. Low-voltage lighting on paths, steps and walls makes yards safer to use after dark.
Rules at a glance
San Mateo Public Works issues encroachment permits (650-522-7300); the Building Division handles retaining wall permits.
Summary of official guidance for planning only. We confirm the rules for your address during the site visit.
| Location / item | Limit |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Retaining wall over 4 ft or holding a surcharge | Building permit + engineered design (CRC §R105.2) |
| North Shoreview / North Central | ~1,600 addresses removed from FEMA flood zone (Oct 11, 2024) |
Coverage
Central Park · Hillsdale Shopping Center · Coyote Point · San Mateo County Event Center · Laurelwood Park
94401 · 94402 · 94403 · 94404
How it works
Tell us your San Mateo address, the project and your timeline.
We measure, check drainage and confirm City of San Mateo and HOA limits.
Materials, finish, layout and schedule, in writing and free.
We build, clean up and review the finished work with you.
Yes. Driveway approaches, sidewalks, curbs and gutters are in the public right-of-way, so the City of San Mateo requires an encroachment permit. Plan for at least 10 business days for review if no revisions are needed.
Many may not be. FEMA's map revision effective October 11, 2024 removed about 1,600 addresses in North Shoreview and parts of North Central after the City's levee and pump station upgrades. Check your address with the City; low lots can still collect yard water in heavy storms.
When it is taller than 4 feet from the bottom of the footing, or when it holds back a surcharge such as a driveway, house or slope. That follows the California Residential Code (§R105.2). Those walls also need an engineer's design.
Usually a French drain or catch basins to collect water, pipe to carry it, and an exterior sump basin with a pump where the yard has no downhill outlet. Downspouts are often tied in at the same time.
Send your address and a few photos. We'll confirm the San Mateo rules and give you a free estimate.
