Landscaping and Landscape Design in Cupertino
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- 5 on Google
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA designs and installs Cupertino landscapes: patios and paver paths, seat walls and low walls, planting, drip irrigation, turf, drainage and lighting. David Muhoberac founded the company in 1987. We are fully insured, the estimate visit is free, and you receive an itemized, project-based quote before any work begins.
Updated October 2026
Building a Cupertino garden around protected trees
Cupertino considers more than size when deciding which trees are protected. The City's Tree Protection and Removal page (checked October 2026) names Specimen trees by species: California buckeye, big leaf maple, blue atlas cedar, deodar cedar, western sycamore, California bay laurel and native oaks, including coast live oak, blue oak, California black oak, valley oak and interior live oak.
Those species are protected at a single trunk diameter of 12 in (38 in around), or a combined multi-trunk diameter of 24 in (75 in around), measured 4.5 ft above the ground. Heritage trees, trees required by an earlier approval and privacy protection trees are protected too. Removing any of them requires a tree removal permit with public notice. The retroactive fee for removing a tree without a permit is higher than the permit fee.
The City adds that trees must be protected during construction and that replacement trees, or an in-lieu fee, may be required. Street and park trees in the right-of-way are maintained by the Public Works Trees Division (408.777.3410), and residents should not plant, prune or remove them.
On a lot with a mature oak or sycamore, plan the patio, paths and irrigation lines around the tree from the start. New trees and shrubs are covered on our planting and tree installation page; plants carry a warranty of up to 1 year.
Cupertino fence height limits and when neighbors must approve
For properties zoned R1, R2 or R3, the City's Fences page (checked October 2026) allows a 3 ft fence in the front yard setback. Elsewhere a fence may stand on the property line, except the front property line, at up to 7 ft with no neighbor approval and no building permit.
An 8 ft fence requires both a signed neighbor approval form and a building permit. The City lists a 30 ft setback from the front or street-side property line for driveway gates, which need an exception that may be granted at a public hearing. Hillside (RHS) and open space zones have separate fence rules that allow wildlife access.
When Cupertino requires landscape plans
The City adopted its updated Landscape Ordinance on May 4, 2016. Its Landscaping page (checked October 2026) explains that the ordinance applies when a project needs a building, planning or grading permit, and that changing the planting in a yard that was never subject to the ordinance does not bring that yard under its requirements.
For a new home with 500 to 2,500 sq ft of landscape, the City accepts either a prescriptive water-efficient checklist or a full Landscape Documentation Package. Above 2,500 sq ft, and for any landscape installation or rehabilitation over 2,500 sq ft, the package is required. Sites on slopes over 30%, in geo-hazard areas or near creeks may need it regardless of size.
The City says the package must be prepared by a landscape architect or another person certified by the State. When your project needs one, we build from the approved plans; on smaller projects David lays out the yard with you as part of our landscape design service.
Watering hours and lawn rebates for Cupertino yards
For properties that receive drinking water supplied by Valley Water, Valley Water Ordinance 23-02 (checked October 2026) bans overhead irrigation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., limits runoff to an incidental amount and bans watering during rain or within 48 hours after 0.25 in of rain. It sets no limit on watering days. Ask your water company which rules apply to your address.
Drip lines are not overhead irrigation, which is one reason we convert beds to drip irrigation with Rain Bird or Hunter parts and Rachio or Hunter Hydrawise controllers. Irrigation work carries a 2-year warranty.
Replacing lawn with qualifying plants can earn a Valley Water landscape rebate (checked October 2026) of $2 per sq ft. The minimum area is 75 sq ft, with at least 50% plant coverage. A combined lifetime cap of $3,000 per residential site applies across all rebate types, and rebates are available while funds last. Apply first: the lawn has to be in place at the pre-inspection, and the Notice to Proceed must arrive before any work starts or equipment is bought. Artificial turf does not qualify for a rebate.
Typical landscape projects and costs in Cupertino
For a Cupertino yard, options include a patio, planting beds and drip irrigation. These are the ranges we publish for San Jose:
- Paver patio: about $15 to $30 per sq ft installed, with most patios finished in 3 to 7 days. Brands include Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Calstone and Basalite, and pavers carry a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship.
- Garden bed or planting project: about $2,000 to $5,000. October to November is the best planting window.
- Landscape lighting: $2,000 to $6,000, with a 2-year warranty.
- Drainage correction: $1,500 to $8,000, with a 2-year warranty.
- Full backyard renovation: $25,000 to $75,000+, typically 2 to 6 weeks.
Our process for Cupertino homeowners
Book a free on-site visit
Call or text (408) 207-5545 to schedule a time for us to see your Cupertino yard in person.
Agree on your layout and itemized quote
David lays out the yard with you, or we build from your designer's plans. Your quote lists each item separately.
Apply for any required permits and rebates
Confirm with the City which approvals your project needs, such as a tree removal permit, an 8 ft fence permit or a Landscape Ordinance submittal, and get the rebate Notice to Proceed before work begins.
Build and plant your Cupertino landscape
Our crew builds what is listed in your itemized project quote.
About the team behind your Cupertino landscape
Landscape Associates of CA was founded by David Muhoberac in 1987 and is fully insured. Close by, we also work in Saratoga, Los Altos and Sunnyvale. The photos below come from our own projects; locations are not listed.
Thinking about changes to your Cupertino garden? Call or text (408) 207-5545, or use the form on this page to book a free on-site estimate.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Reviews from Yelp and Google, with the reviewer's city and date
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
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
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) 207-5545Which trees require a removal permit in Cupertino?
Protected trees: Heritage trees, required and privacy protection trees, and Specimen trees of listed species (native oaks, California buckeye, big leaf maple, blue atlas and deodar cedar, western sycamore, California bay laurel) with a single-trunk diameter of 12 in or a combined multi-trunk diameter of 24 in, measured 4.5 ft above the ground. See the City's Tree Protection and Removal page (checked October 2026).
How tall can a fence be in Cupertino?
In R1, R2 and R3 zones, fences may reach 3 ft in the front yard setback and up to 7 ft elsewhere, except on the front property line, without neighbor approval or a building permit. An 8 ft fence needs the neighbor approval form and a building permit, per the City's Fences page (checked October 2026).
Do I need landscape plans for a Cupertino project?
For projects involving a building, planning or grading permit, new-home landscaping of 500 to 2,500 sq ft needs a prescriptive checklist or a Landscape Documentation Package, and larger projects need the package. The City may require it regardless of size on slopes over 30%, in geo-hazard areas or near creeks. See the City's Landscaping page (checked October 2026).
When can I run sprinklers in Cupertino?
For properties using Valley Water-supplied potable water, Ordinance 23-02 (checked October 2026) bans overhead irrigation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and watering during or within 48 hours after 0.25 in of rain. The ordinance sets no days-per-week limit.
Does replacing my Cupertino lawn qualify for a rebate?
Valley Water offers $2 per sq ft for qualifying lawn conversions, with a combined lifetime cap of $3,000 per residential site across rebate types, while funds last. You need the Notice to Proceed before any work starts or any equipment is bought, and artificial turf does not qualify. Terms: Valley Water landscape rebates (checked October 2026).
What does a paver patio cost in Cupertino?
Our San Jose figure is about $15 to $30 per sq ft installed. For budgeting purposes, a 200 sq ft patio at those rates would cost $3,000 to $6,000. You receive an itemized quote for your Cupertino project after a free site visit.
Is the oak in my Cupertino backyard protected?
Listed native oaks qualify as protected Specimen trees at a single-trunk diameter of 12 in or a multi-trunk diameter of 24 in, measured 4.5 ft above ground, and the City requires trees to be protected during construction. See the City's Tree Protection and Removal page (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