Landscape Design and Construction in Carmel Valley
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- 5 on Google
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA designs and builds landscapes in Carmel Valley: retaining walls on sloped lots, paver and stone patios, drip irrigation, planting, lighting and drainage. We are a design-build company founded in 1987 by David Muhoberac, not a landscape architecture firm. We are fully insured, the design visit is free and the quote is itemized.
Updated October 2026
One team to design and build your Carmel Valley landscape
Many Carmel Valley homeowners look for a landscape architect. We are a design-build company, not a landscape architecture firm. David designs and builds: he lays out the garden with you on site, and the design is part of the free estimate and the itemized quote. If your project needs stamped landscape plans or you already have an architect or designer, we build from the drawings they supply.
Discuss the patio layout, planting and irrigation with David during the free on-site estimate. See how we approach layouts on our landscape design page.
County permits for walls, fences and grading in Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley is outside city limits, so Monterey County issues the permits. The County's Building and Planning Services FAQs (checked October 2026) set these thresholds:
- Retaining walls: a construction permit is required when the wall is 4 ft or taller, or at any height if it supports an extra load, called a surcharge, such as a driveway or slope above the wall.
- Grading: a construction permit is required for more than 100 cubic yards of cut and fill combined, for a driveway over 50 ft long, or for grading on slopes over 30%.
- Fences: zoning generally caps a fence at 6 ft unless it meets accessory-structure setbacks. No construction permit is needed for wood, vinyl or metal fences up to 8 ft, concrete or masonry fences up to 6 ft, or open metal fences up to 10 ft, though a planning permit may still be required.
- Design Control ("D") districts require a Design Approval application for fences, and a high archaeological zone may require an archaeological report.
The County lists a plan review time of 6 to 8 weeks. Permits are handled at 1441 Schilling Place in Salinas, (831) 755-5025. Our retaining wall work uses block systems such as Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Calstone and Basalite.
Removing or trimming protected trees in Carmel Valley
The County requires a Tree Removal Permit to remove or significantly trim protected trees, and a tree assessment from a County-approved arborist or forester in every case. Its tree removal procedures (checked October 2026) explain requirements that homeowners may overlook:
- Requests to remove up to three trees, or a hazardous tree, can be handled administratively. Removals within one year are counted together, so a fourth removal needs a Use Permit.
- From February 22 through August 1, the tree consultant must look for bird nests within 300 ft, and a County-qualified biologist surveys any nest found before approval.
- Sudden oak death findings are referred to the Agricultural Commissioner.
Before planning patios, walls or new planting near existing oaks, ask the County how its protected-tree rules apply. New plants come with our warranty of up to 1 year.
Planting to reduce wildfire risk around Carmel Valley homes
CAL FIRE's Ready for Wildfire defensible space guide (checked October 2026) divides the area around a house into zones reaching 100 ft or to the property line. Zone 0, the first 5 ft, focuses on intense fuel reduction to protect against embers, and Zones 1 and 2, out to 100 ft, are required by law where defensible space rules apply. Larger plants and steeper slopes need more space between plants.
Check the CAL FIRE map for your parcel's status, then use CAL FIRE's guidance on fuel reduction in the first 5 ft and on spacing farther out, which depends on plant type, size and slope.
Water availability and lawn rebates in Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley sits inside the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (checked October 2026). The County's Building and Planning FAQs (checked October 2026) state that there is currently no new water for unincorporated District parcels served by Cal-Am, and that Planning does not accept applications needing additional water, including remodels, without an assured source.
For Cal-Am customers on the Monterey Main system, Cal Am's watering instructions (checked October 2026) limit outdoor irrigation to Wednesdays and Saturdays, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., for no more than 15 minutes per station. Confirm your water supplier and its restrictions before choosing the irrigation layout; our irrigation options include drip and Rachio or Hunter Hydrawise controllers.
District rebates (checked October 2026) pay $1 per sq ft for replacing 250 to 2,500 sq ft of lawn with low-water plants or permeable surfaces. Converted areas that are irrigated must use drip, and a 15-year deed restriction bars new lawn on the site. Apply within 120 days of purchase; funding is first come, first served.
Price ranges for Carmel Valley landscaping projects
These are the ranges we publish elsewhere; a Carmel Valley quote is itemized after the site visit.
- Hillside retaining walls: about $60 to $120 per square foot of wall face (our Saratoga hillside figure).
- Landscape lighting: our published range for larger Saratoga properties is $3,000 to $10,000, and lighting carries a 2-year warranty.
- Paver patio: about $15 to $30 per sq ft installed (San Jose figure), with a lifetime warranty on pavers.
- Full backyard renovation: $25,000 to $75,000+ (San Jose figure), typically 2 to 6 weeks.
From first visit to finished Carmel Valley garden
Review your property and goals together
Call or text (408) 207-5545 to arrange a visit. David meets you at the property to assess the slope, sun exposure, trees and access.
Agree on your design and itemized quote
You approve either our layout or your designer's plans, along with a quote that lists the price of each part of the project.
County permit and rebate applications
Ask the County about permits for retaining walls 4 ft or taller, walls of any height supporting a surcharge, grading and protected-tree work, and check the District's rebate requirements.
Building your Carmel Valley landscape
Our crew completes the work listed in your Carmel Valley quote.
The team designing your Carmel Valley landscape
Landscape Associates of CA, founded by David Muhoberac in 1987, is fully insured, and our mailing address is in Monterey. Our Carmel page covers Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach, though the City's artificial turf ban applies only within Carmel-by-the-Sea; we also serve Monterey and Salinas. The photos below are from our own projects; locations are not given.
Thinking about a new garden in Carmel Valley? Call or text (408) 207-5545, or fill out the form to arrange a free on-site design visit.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Reviews from Yelp and Google, with the reviewer's city and date
David and Obed were great from start to finish. They gave us solid advice on design choices and made sure our vision drove the project. They took a backyard full of dirt and turned it into our family's dream outdoor space. Highly recommend!
San Francisco, CA
David's team did a beautiful job transforming my yard into a gorgeous patio. They worked closely with me to bring my design to life and went the extra mile to make sure everything was right. Honest work, no hidden costs, no surprises.
Cupertino, CA
Big job: stump removal, full irrigation replacement, new sod, paver driveway, retaining walls, and lighting. It turned out more beautiful than we imagined. We liked the results so much we had them redo the front yard a few months later.
San Jose, CA
I cannot recommend this company enough. David turned my backyard, basically a giant hill of dirt and weeds, into a gorgeous oasis of fruit trees, plants, flowers, and retaining walls. Working with him was a real pleasure and the pricing was very fair.
San Francisco, CA
This was our second time using Landscape Associates, at a different property. David, Obed, and the crew added new paver stones, a planter, and expanded our irrigation. They even took care of drainage issues the original home builders had left behind.
San Jose, CA
Landscape Associates did a full remodel of my front and back yards. David understood exactly what I had in mind, delivered the yard I hoped for, and somehow made it even better. He kept in touch through every step and his crew was respectful of my property.
San Jose, CA
If I could give more stars I would. Workers showed up every single day at 8:30am sharp. David was always easy to reach and when I had changes mid-project, they accommodated every one without complaint. The customer service really set them apart.
Milpitas, CA
Great communication throughout and they walked us through every step. The paver patio and driveway are flawlessly integrated. We would absolutely hire them again. In fact I was already texting David about redoing the entire front yard.
San Jose, CA
We are very happy with the results. David installed a new front lawn and side yard plantings and the whole project wrapped up in a week. We were impressed that they renewed our entire irrigation system as part of the job. Would recommend to anyone in the area.
San Jose, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Call (408) 207-5545Are you landscape architects in Carmel Valley?
Landscape Associates of CA is a design-build company, not a landscape architecture firm: David designs your garden as part of the free on-site estimate, and we also build from plans drawn by your landscape architect or designer.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Carmel Valley?
Monterey County requires a construction permit for a retaining wall 4 ft or taller, or one of any height that supports a surcharge. See the County's Building and Planning FAQs (checked October 2026).
When does grading need a County permit in Carmel Valley?
A construction permit is required for more than 100 cubic yards of cut and fill, a driveway over 50 ft long, or grading on slopes over 30%. See the County's Building and Planning FAQs (checked October 2026).
Can I remove an oak in Carmel Valley?
Removing a protected tree requires a County Tree Removal Permit backed by a County-approved arborist's assessment. Requests to remove up to three trees can be handled administratively. Removals within a year are counted together, and nesting-season surveys apply from February 22 to August 1. See the County's tree removal procedures (checked October 2026).
Does Carmel-by-the-Sea's artificial turf ban apply in Carmel Valley?
Carmel Valley is in unincorporated Monterey County, so City of Carmel-by-the-Sea rules, including its turf ban, do not apply there. Our Carmel page covers the City rules.
Can I get a rebate for replacing lawn in Carmel Valley?
MPWMD pays $1 per sq ft for replacing 250 to 2,500 sq ft of lawn with low-water plants or permeable surfaces. Irrigated areas must use drip irrigation, and a 15-year deed restriction applies. See the District's rebate requirements (checked October 2026).
How should a Carmel Valley garden handle wildfire risk?
CAL FIRE's guidance calls for an ember-resistant zone within the first 5 ft around the house and vegetation management out to 100 ft where defensible space rules apply. Check your parcel on the CAL FIRE map and see Ready for Wildfire (checked October 2026).
Get a Free Quote
Call us, send the estimate form, or email us. We reply within 24 hours to book a free site visit. Call or text (408) 207-5545.
- (408) 207-5545
- Text (408) 207-5545
- david@landscapeassociatesca.com
- Mailing address: 125 Surf Way #443, Monterey, CA 93940
- Mon - Fri: 8:00-5:00 · Closed on weekends