Concrete Patios in Los Angeles

A new concrete patio, a bigger slab for outdoor dining, or replacing an old cracked one. What the job involves, slab thickness, drainage, finish choices and the permit basics in the City of LA.

What a patio job involves

A concrete patio is a slab on grade, usually 4 inches thick for normal use. (HomeGuide) The work looks simple, but most of what decides whether it lasts happens before the pour: digging out to the right depth, a compacted base, a slope that sends water away from the house, and reinforcement. If an old patio or lawn is in the way, it has to be removed and hauled off first.

In Central LA, backyards are often reached only through a narrow side yard or a detached garage. That changes how concrete gets to the back of the lot, and it is one reason two quotes for the same patio size can be far apart.

Drainage and the house

A patio that touches the house has to slope away from it. Ask where the water will go: onto the lawn, into a planting bed, or into a drain. If the new slab will sit higher than the old ground, check how close it comes to door thresholds, weep screeds at the bottom of stucco walls, and crawl-space vents. These details rarely show up in a photo, and they are a common source of change orders.

Thickness for hot tubs, kitchens and fire features

A plain patio for chairs and a table is usually 4 inches. Slabs under hot tubs or outdoor kitchens are often 6 inches with extra reinforcement. (HomeGuide) If you might add a hot tub later, say so now: thickening one area during the pour is far cheaper than cutting it out later.

Finish options

• Broom finish: the simplest, with good grip.
• Exposed aggregate: more texture, hides dirt well.
• Colored or stamped: looks like stone or brick; costs more and needs sealing (see stamped concrete). (HomeGuide)
• Pavers instead: usually cost more to install than plain concrete, but units can be lifted and reset. (HomeGuide)

What your patio quote should spell out

• The patio's square footage and thickness, including any thickened area for a hot tub or kitchen.
• Which way it slopes and where the water goes.
• Removal of the old patio, lawn or soil, and haul-off.
• How concrete reaches the backyard: wheelbarrows, a pump, or a line through the garage.
• Final height at each door, and how the slab meets the house wall.

The full checklist that applies to any concrete job, plus payment and cancellation rules, is in Before you sign.

Permits

In the City of Los Angeles, the municipal code exempts platforms and walks not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement from a building permit. (LAMC 91.106) Raised patios, retaining walls, drainage changes, covered patios or work on hillside lots can be different; ask the contractor to confirm in writing what is and isn't permitted. West Hollywood is a separate city with its own rules; see the West Hollywood guide.

Using it after the pour

HomeGuide says you can usually walk on new concrete after 24 to 48 hours, while full cure takes about 30 days. (HomeGuide) Ask the contractor before putting heavy furniture or a grill on it.

How a request works: with your consent it goes to one independent contractor with an active CSLB license, never a list. Free, no obligation. Details.

FAQ

Related projects

• Driveway Replacement & New Driveways
• Stamped & Decorative Concrete
• Walkways, Paths & Steps
• Concrete & Sidewalk Repair
• Driveway cost guide

Local guides

Permit offices and local rules differ by neighborhood. Read the guide for your area:

• Hancock Park
• Fairfax & Beverly Grove
• Mid-City
• West Hollywood
• Mid-Wilshire