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Everything we've written on permits.
MWELO is California's state model landscape ordinance: if your project is big enough to need a permit, it sets the water budget your design must fit inside.
7 min read
California's 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards took effect January 1, 2026, with new requirements for residential pool and spa heating. Here is how the rules shape a backyard project today.
7 min read
A South Bay lot rarely gives you room for both a full pool and a properly sized spa. Here's how homeowners in San Jose, Santa Clara and the surrounding cities decide between a pool, a spa, or a phased plan that does both.
7 min read
California's pool safety law, plus a federal drain-cover rule, shape how every residential pool and spa must be built. Here is the up-to-date framework without the legalese.
7 min read
Permeable paving lets rainwater soak into the ground rather than running to the street. Here is how it works technically and when Bay Area stormwater regulations apply to residential projects.
6 min read
Open pergolas, solid patio covers, louvered roofs, shade sails and retractable canopies each handle South Bay conditions differently. Here is how to choose based on orientation, use, and climate.
7 min read
An outdoor kitchen in the Bay Area has to handle winter rain, summer sun, and occasional frost. Material selection, framing systems, ventilation, and code compliance determine whether it lasts.
8 min read
Most backyard structures trigger a permit, but the rules differ by jurisdiction. Here is what typically requires approval — and what surprises homeowners.
7 min read
Trenching, foundations, drainage, and utility connections — the unseen site work that determines whether an ADU build goes smoothly or hits delays.
7 min read