How much can I add in Glendale?
Usually up to 6 feet. Glendale's zoning ordinance caps side and rear walls at 6 feet in all districts unless stated otherwise, and calls for engineered structural calculations above 6 feet. So in practice, an extension in Glendale usually means bringing a 4- or 5-foot wall up to 6, not taking a 6-foot wall higher. If your wall is already 6 feet, call us anyway; we'll tell you what's realistic, which may be a taller wall set back or nothing at all.
Will my old wall hold the extra block?
That's the first thing we check. Footings and steel are sized for a wall's original height, and added courses add weight and catch more wind. We look for leaning, cracks that open toward the top and missing reinforcement. If it doesn't pass, we won't stack block on it. We'll price a repair or a replacement instead.
What are my options?
- Matching block courses, tied in with rebar and grout, for full privacy.
- A steel or iron topper, lighter and more open, if the HOA prefers it.
- A new wall just inside the old one when the old footing can't take more.
Do I need my neighbor's OK?
If the wall sits on the shared property line, yes, get it in writing. Raising a wall changes both yards, and the finish on their side matters too. If you live in an HOA, plan on architectural approval before we start, and ask whether they have a required block color or cap.
Can you match the old block?
Usually close, rarely perfect. Block colors and sizes vary by batch and by age. Paint or stucco over the full wall is the cleanest way to make new and old look like one wall, and many HOAs require a set color anyway.