Serving San Jose, CA
Free estimates for paver patios, driveways, concrete work and wood fences in San Jose, from Willow Glen and Rose Garden to Evergreen and Berryessa.
Working in San Jose
San Jose's single-family neighborhoods sit mostly on the flat Santa Clara Valley floor, with hillside lots along the southwest (Almaden Valley) and east (East Foothills) edges. Neighborhoods include Willow Glen, Rose Garden, Almaden Valley, Cambrian, Blossom Valley, Santa Teresa, Evergreen and Berryessa.
About 15 inches of rain a year falls mostly from November through March, and summers are warm and dry. Regional reports describe the valley floor as silty and sandy clay with moderate to high expansion potential, which is why we check the ground on every lot.
Neighborhoods and places
What we build
The same eight services, built by the same Menlo Park crew. Tap one to see how we build it.
PaversA 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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PaversA 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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PaversWalkways 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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PaversAdd a fire pit, seating area or a bigger patio footprint, so the yard works after dark too.
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ConcreteA poured concrete driveway is a clean, long-lasting surface. We prep the base, set the forms, pour and finish it.
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ConcreteFlat, smooth and built to last. Concrete patios, walkways, pads and slabs poured and finished to the shape you need.
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FencesA 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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FencesA 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
Local ground, local rules and local habits that shape a good paver, concrete or fence job.
A Public Works permit is required for a new or widened driveway. The maximum width is 12 feet for a one-car garage, 16 feet for two cars and 24 feet for three, and the approach must be at least 5 feet from the adjacent property line, utility structures, sign poles and street trees.
The city's Front Setback Paving Ordinance limits paving to 50% of the front setback on lots with 40 feet or more of frontage. Narrower lots are limited to a 10-foot width or 50% of lot width, whichever is greater.
A single-family project that creates or replaces 2,500 to under 10,000 square feet of impervious surface must put in at least one site design measure, such as directing runoff to landscaped areas or adding pervious area. Gravel counts as impervious unless it is part of an engineered pervious pavement system.
A 2017 county report lists Almaden Valley and the East Foothills as locally adopted Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and San Jose Fire policy asks for ignition-resistant construction on decks and accessory structures in its wildland-urban interface zone. Boundaries may have changed, so confirm yours with San Jose Fire.
Rules at a glance
A plain-language summary of what the San Jose 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 | 3 ft in the front setback area. 6 ft between the front setback line and the front of the house. |
| Fence height, side and rear | 7 ft in side and rear setback areas on interior lots, with a general cap of 7 ft. Corner lots have a 3 ft corner triangle and stricter street-side rules. |
| Fence permit | No building permit is required for a fence or retaining wall unless it exceeds the maximum heights in the municipal code, in which case a Planning permit (variance) is needed. |
| Retaining walls | A Public Works grading permit is required for walls taller than 4 ft, measured from the top of the wall to the bottom of the footing, or at any height if the wall holds back extra load. |
| Driveway permit | A new or widened driveway needs a Public Works Driveway and Sidewalk Permit. Repair or replacement with no change in dimensions needs a Department of Transportation permit. |
| Planter strip | Decorative concrete is not allowed in the planter or park strip. |
Rules change and lots differ. Check the current requirements with the City of San Jose Development Services Permit Center. We walk the lot with you at the free estimate and point out what to ask.
Nearby
Same crew, same free estimate. Pick a nearby city to see what we build there.
ZIP codes we cover in San Jose: 95110 to 95196. Not sure about yours? Use the ZIP checker.
Questions
The maximum is 12 feet for a one-car garage, 16 feet for two cars and 24 feet for three. A new or widened driveway needs a Public Works Driveway and Sidewalk Permit, and the approach must be at least 5 feet from the neighboring property line and from utility structures, sign poles and street trees.
A new or widened driveway needs a Public Works permit. Repair or replacement with no change in dimensions needs a Department of Transportation permit. Check current requirements with the city before work starts.
Possibly. A single-family project that creates or replaces 2,500 to under 10,000 square feet of impervious surface must put in at least one site design measure. Patios and driveways count, and permeable pavement can help. Confirm with the city.
Let's talk
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.
Menlo Park, CA · Serving the whole Bay Area · Estimates are free
