Masonry contractor in Mill Valley, CA - repair for older hillside homes

The City of Mill Valley's Building Division issues permits, reviews plans and inspects work inside city limits. Its quick minor permits cover things like water heaters and re-roofs, not masonry, so we ask the Building Division about your job before we start. When a permit is needed, we handle the paperwork and set up the inspections.

The city's handout says a retaining wall up to 4 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, doesn't need a building permit. That stops applying if the wall carries a surcharge, extra weight above it like a slope or a parked car, or holds back certain liquids. Planning or Public Works can still set conditions, so we confirm with the city first.

The city's handout says fences under 7 feet high don't need a building permit. The Planning Department or Public Works can still put conditions on work that's exempt, so we check with the city about your wall before we build it.

Not always. Homes in Strawberry, Tam Valley, Homestead, Almonte and Alto can have a Mill Valley address but sit in unincorporated Marin County, outside the city's jurisdiction. That changes which office handles permits, so we check with the city or county office that covers your address before work starts.

Yes. The city requires a business license for any business working inside city limits, and it has to be approved before the work begins. A contractor applies for city permits online once that license is paid for the year, so it's worth asking any mason you're considering whether theirs is current.

Many projects do, according to the city. The plan covers parking, truck routes, schedules, road closures and where materials are stored, and the Building Official has to approve it before a building permit is issued. On a narrow street that plan can shape the schedule, so we work it out early.