Concrete Patios & Stairs in University Place, WA

Patios & stairs in University Place: what to know

On a hillside lot, the patio is only part of the project. The path from the house to the yard usually involves steps and landings, and sometimes a low retaining wall to carve out a level spot. We design them together so the patio, stairs, and walls share one drainage plan.

A view patio is exposed to wind and rain, and moss takes hold quickly on the shaded side of a house. We recommend textured or stamped finishes with slip-resistant sealers, and we build stairs to code with consistent risers so every step is the same height. If your lot is near the top of a slope or bluff, the closer you build to the edge, the more the city’s slope rules matter, so we confirm setbacks before we design.

Permits and rules in University Place

A slab-on-grade patio doesn’t usually need a building permit, but raised patios, stairs and guards that fall under the residential code, and anything near a steep slope or shoreline can. University Place also has its own standards for retaining walls that sometimes come into play on terraced yards. Setbacks, lot coverage, and HOA rules apply too. We check with the City of University Place before we start.

Rules change and vary by parcel, so we confirm the current requirements with the city before we start.

How we approach it

Design the patio, steps, and any low walls as one plan
Confirm setbacks and slope rules before laying out near an edge
Pick textured or stamped finishes with slip-resistant sealers
Slope the patio away from the house and toward a safe outlet

For the full process, see our Concrete Patios & Stairs page.

Building in the cold months? See our guide to winter concrete pours.

Our patios & stairs work, serving University Place

Examples of our work. We build patios & stairs in University Place and the cities around it. See all of our work

Questions from University Place homeowners

Can you build a patio near the edge of a slope in University Place?

Sometimes, but slopes and bluffs carry setbacks and extra review. We check your parcel’s mapped hazards first and will tell you what’s realistic.

Do stairs need a handrail in University Place?

The residential code generally calls for a handrail on flights with four or more risers. Exact requirements depend on the design, and we build to code.

Which finish works best on a shaded patio in University Place?

A textured finish with a slip-resistant sealer, plus occasional cleaning to keep moss and algae down.