Historic districts
Professorville is a national historic district, and the Ramona Street Architectural District and the Hopkins Tract are protected too. If your home is in one, ask the city what applies before you plan exterior work.
Serving Palo Alto, CA
Paver, concrete and fence contractor in Palo Alto, CA.
Free estimates for paver patios, driveways, concrete work and wood fences in Palo Alto, from the flat neighborhoods near downtown up into the foothills.
Free estimates Pavers, concrete and fences Menlo Park crew
Working in Palo Alto
Building in Palo Alto, one yard at a time.
Palo Alto has older neighborhoods north of Oregon Expressway, mostly Craftsman and California Colonial homes built from about 1900 to 1940. South of it, many homes are Eichler-designed or Eichler-style, built mainly in the twenty years after World War II. The southern part of the city rises into hilly foothill land.
The city gets about 15 inches of rain a year, mostly from November to March, with dry summers. Whatever surface goes on top, we plan for drainage and build it on a compacted base.
Palo Alto, CAFree estimates, local crew
Neighborhoods and places
- Professorville
- Crescent Park
- Old Palo Alto
- College Terrace
- Midtown
- Barron Park
- Palo Verde
- Greenmeadow
What we build
Services in Palo Alto.
The same eight services, built by the same Menlo Park crew. Tap one to see how we build it.
PaversPaver patios
A paver patio gives you a flat, tough spot for dining, grilling and hanging out. We lay out the shape, build a compacted base, set the pavers and lock them in.
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PaversPaver driveways
A paver driveway adds curb appeal and handles daily traffic. The base does the heavy lifting, so we build it deep and set the pavers tight.
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PaversPaver walkways and steps
Walkways and steps that feel good underfoot and stay easy to keep clean. Straight, curved or stepped to follow the lay of your yard.
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PaversFire pits and outdoor living
Add a fire pit, seating area or a bigger patio footprint, so the yard works after dark too.
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ConcreteConcrete driveways
A poured concrete driveway is a clean, long-lasting surface. We prep the base, set the forms, pour and finish it.
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ConcreteConcrete patios and walkways
Flat, smooth and built to last. Concrete patios, walkways, pads and slabs poured and finished to the shape you need.
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FencesWood fences
A wood fence brings privacy and gives your yard a clear edge. We set the posts, hang the rails and boards, and keep the lines straight.
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FencesFence gates and repairs
A leaning fence or a sagging gate doesn't always mean a whole new fence. We fix what can be fixed and build gates that swing right.
See detailsBefore you build
What to know before you build in Palo Alto.
Local ground, local rules and local habits that shape a good paver, concrete or fence job.
Protected trees
Palo Alto protects coast live, valley, blue and California black oaks, bigleaf maple and California incense cedar at 11.5 inches in trunk diameter, coast redwood at 18 inches, and other mature trees at 15 inches. Invasive and high-water-use species are exempt.
Paving and grading
Small projects can skip a grading permit if they stay within limits that include disturbing under 10,000 square feet, slopes flatter than 10 to 1, under 5,000 square feet of new paving and no blocked drainage.
Foothills and fire zones
On CAL FIRE's 2025 maps, the Palo Alto Hills and foothills fall in High or Very High fire hazard zones. The city's fire and building code amendments can add requirements in those areas.
Rules at a glance
Palo Alto fence, wall and paving basics.
A plain-language summary of what the Palo Alto code says, to help you plan. Codes get amended and every lot is different, so treat it as a starting point.
| Topic | What the code says |
|---|---|
| Fence height, front | 4 ft between the street setback line and the lot line (posts or columns 5 ft, entry gates or trellises 8 ft). 6 ft beyond the setback line in front and street-side yards. |
| Fence height, side and rear | 7 ft in interior side and rear yards. 3 ft above curb grade inside intersection sight triangles. |
| Fence permit | Under the city's building code amendment, wood fences up to 7 ft are exempt from a building permit. Concrete or masonry walls up to 4 ft are exempt when they are not subject to specific planning and zoning rules. |
| Retaining walls | Exempt from a building permit up to 4 ft, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless the wall holds back extra load. Taller walls need a permit and engineering. |
| Driveways and sidewalks | Driveways and sidewalks not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, and not part of an accessible route, are exempt from a building permit. Work in the public right-of-way is a separate matter, so check with the city. |
Confirm before you build
Rules change and lots differ. Check the current requirements with the City of Palo Alto Planning and Development Services (Development Center). We walk the lot with you at the free estimate and point out what to ask.
Nearby
Also building near Palo Alto.
Same crew, same free estimate. Pick a nearby city to see what we build there.
ZIP codes we cover in Palo Alto: 94301, 94302, 94304, 94305 and 94306. Not sure about yours? Use the ZIP checker.
Questions
Palo Alto: questions, answered.
How tall can a fence be in Palo Alto?
In front yards, 4 feet between the street setback line and the lot line, and 6 feet beyond the setback line. In interior side and rear yards, 7 feet. Sight triangles at intersections are limited to 3 feet. Confirm your lot with the city before you build.
Does an Eichler home change how you build a patio or fence?
Many Eichler homes have open layouts that connect to the yard, so the patio and fence design matter. We plan the layout with you at the free estimate, and it is worth asking the city whether your street is in a historic district.
Do I need a permit to build a retaining wall in Palo Alto?
A retaining wall up to 4 feet, measured from the bottom of the footing, is exempt from a building permit unless it holds back extra load. Taller walls need a permit and engineering. Confirm with the city.
Let's talk
Ready for a yard you'll love?
Call, text, email or send a request. Tell us what you want to build and we'll set up a free estimate.
Free estimates for pavers, concrete and fences, from Menlo Park to the whole Bay Area.
Call or text today(650) 334-6529
Menlo Park, CA · Serving the whole Bay Area · Estimates are free