Half of this county is built on a hill. A slope is not a problem to erase — it is the reason your view exists — but you need flat, usable ground somewhere.
Three strategies
Which one applies depends on slope percentage and budget.
- Single terrace: cut one generous flat pad near the house with a wall at the back. Best value on moderate slopes.
- Multi-terrace: two or three levels connected by stairs. Best for entertaining and dramatic views.
- Leave and layer: keep the slope, add a deck or cantilevered platform for the view and plant the hillside for erosion control. Lowest cost on steep grades.
Stairs that feel good
Outdoor stairs need shallower risers than interior ones — 6 inch riser with a 14–16 inch tread is comfortable, and consistency matters more than any single dimension. Add a landing every 8–10 risers, and light every tread run. A hillside path that people avoid because the stairs feel steep wastes the whole build.
Erosion and planting
Bare slopes move in the first hard rain. Deep-rooted plantings — Baccharis 'Pigeon Point', Ceanothus 'Yankee Point', Myoporum, Muhlenbergia and coyote brush — plus jute netting on newly graded slopes will stabilize the hill within a season.
Irrigate slopes with inline drip on cycle-and-soak, never spray. Spray on a slope waters your neighbor's fence.
Frequently asked
- How much does terracing cost?
- Hillside projects commonly run $60k–$200k because of walls, engineering and access. A single terrace with one wall can start near $25k.
- Do I need an engineer?
- For walls over 3 feet, surcharged walls or slopes steeper than roughly 2:1, yes.
- Can I use the slope for a garden?
- Absolutely — terraced planters and fruit trees on contour perform well and slow runoff.