Landscaping and Landscape Construction in Gilroy
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- 5 on Google
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA builds landscapes for homes and commercial sites in Gilroy: paver patios and driveways, retaining walls, drip irrigation, artificial and real turf, drainage, lighting and planting. David Muhoberac founded the company in 1987, and we are fully insured, offer a free on-site estimate and itemize every quote by project.
Updated October 2026
Gilroy projects that need a building permit
The City's Building Division page (checked October 2026) lists the projects that need a building permit. For landscape work, the list includes retaining walls, masonry walls, landscape irrigation, decks and patio covers, swimming pools and spas, and fences over seven feet. Permits issued after June 19, 2023 go through the GO Permit online portal.
Wood fences of seven feet or less need no building permit, but the City notes that front and side yard fences may still be subject to height and setback limits and asks owners to check with Planning and Engineering. The Building Division can be reached at (408) 846-0451 and Planning at (408) 846-0440.
Because the City names retaining walls without a height cutoff, ask the Building Division about your wall before it is built. Our retaining wall page covers block systems such as Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Calstone and Basalite.
Height limits for fences, hedges and pergolas in Gilroy
A City "Know Your Code" notice, Fences and Hedges in Residential Areas (checked October 2026), explains City Code Section 30.34.30 in plain terms. Most fences and hedges may reach 7 ft, measured from the ground on the higher side of the fence.
- Front yard: a fence or hedge taller than 3 ft must sit at least 26 ft back from the curb.
- Corner lot: fences and hedges over 3 ft sit 16 ft back from the curb, or 10 ft from the street-side property line near the driveway side of an alley or on a key lot. Section 20.60 requires hedges and shrubs inside the corner sight triangle to stay under 3 ft.
- Up to 8 ft is allowed where the fence or hedge lines up with the main building's setbacks and stays 6 ft from the side lot lines.
- Arbors, trellises and pergolas may reach 8 ft in a front yard when they are at least 26 ft from the curb.
- Barbed wire, razor wire, wire mesh and electrified fencing are not allowed in residential areas.
Protected oaks, sycamores and heritage trees in Gilroy
The City's Tree Removal Permits page (checked October 2026) describes a permit process under its Protected Tree Removal Ordinance for anyone who wishes to cut down such a tree on private property. A permit is needed for a Heritage Tree, meaning any species with a single trunk measuring 90 in or more in circumference, and for a Protected Tree: a native oak, California bay, big leaf maple, madrone, California sycamore, California buckeye or alder with a single trunk measuring 38 in or more in circumference. Both measurements are taken 4.5 ft above ground level.
Nonindigenous species and orchards, including individual fruit and nut trees, are exempt. The Planning Division approves removal only when the tree is dead, diseased or in danger of falling and no management technique can save it. An application needs a site plan, a report from an ISA-certified arborist and a $342 Planning fee.
If a native oak or sycamore stands where you want a patio, ask Gilroy Planning how the protected-tree rules affect the layout before you finalize plans for hardscape and new planting. Plants we install carry a warranty of up to 1 year.
Gilroy watering days, times and lawn rebates
Gilroy pumps most of its water from underground aquifers. The City's Water Conservation page (checked October 2026) lists a three-day schedule: even-numbered addresses water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and odd-numbered addresses on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, for no more than 15 minutes per station on each watering day. Watering is prohibited from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the City suggests 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
A converted planting bed with drip irrigation with a smart controller, such as Rachio or Hunter Hydrawise, makes it easier to water within the allowed hours. Our irrigation work carries a 2-year warranty.
The City points residents to Valley Water for rebates. Valley Water's landscape rebate (checked October 2026) pays $2 per sq ft for lawn replaced with qualifying plants, with a 75 sq ft minimum, at least 50% plant coverage and a $3,000 lifetime cap per residential site across all rebate types. Leave the lawn in place for the pre-inspection and wait for the Notice to Proceed before any work or equipment purchase. Artificial turf is excluded, and funding runs through June 30, 2027 or until it is used up.
Watering limits for decorative lawns at Gilroy businesses and HOAs
State law AB 1572 stops potable water use on nonfunctional, purely decorative turf in phases. Per the City's AB 1572 page (checked October 2026), commercial, industrial and institutional properties must comply from January 1, 2028, and HOA common areas from January 1, 2029. Single-family homes are exempt, and the law does not force removal: it ends irrigation of that turf with drinking water.
Covered properties with 5,000 sq ft or more of irrigated landscape must also certify compliance with the State Water Board every three years, first by June 30, 2030 for commercial, industrial and institutional properties and June 30, 2031 for HOA common areas. The City's own ordinance to carry out the law was set for the November 2, 2026 City Council meeting. For commercial and HOA properties, we replace lawn with planting and drip irrigation, and provide ongoing maintenance.
Price ranges for common Gilroy landscaping projects
The ranges below are the figures we publish for San Jose. Your Gilroy quote is itemized after a site visit.
- Paver patio: about $15 to $30 per sq ft installed; most patios take 3 to 7 days. Our lifetime paver warranty covers both materials and workmanship.
- Retaining wall: about $50 to $100 per square foot of wall face.
- Irrigation system: $3,000 to $10,000, with a 2-year warranty.
- Artificial turf: $8 to $15 per sq ft installed in California, with a 15-year warranty.
- Backyard renovation: our San Jose figures are $25,000 to $75,000+ over 2 to 6 weeks.
Steps in your Gilroy landscaping project
Free estimate at your Gilroy property
Call or text (408) 207-5545 to arrange a visit to your Gilroy property.
Your landscape layout and itemized quote
David lays out the yard with you, or we work from plans your architect or designer drew. Each item is priced separately.
Permit and rebate applications
Ask the City which permits your project needs, including any for a retaining wall, a new irrigation system or work on a protected tree. Wait for any rebate Notice to Proceed before work starts.
Building and planting your Gilroy landscape
Our crew completes the work listed in your Gilroy quote.
Who builds your Gilroy landscape
David Muhoberac started Landscape Associates of CA in 1987, and the company is fully insured for residential and commercial work. To the north we also serve San Jose and Los Gatos, and to the south Salinas and Monterey. The photos here come from our own projects, and their locations are not listed.
Planning a new patio, wall or water-wise front yard in Gilroy? Call or text (408) 207-5545, or fill out the form to request a free on-site estimate.
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) 207-5545Do I need a permit for a retaining wall in Gilroy?
The City lists retaining walls and masonry walls among the projects that need a building permit, without giving a height cutoff, so confirm the requirements for your wall with the Building Division at (408) 846-0451. See the City's Building Division page (checked October 2026).
How tall can a fence be in Gilroy?
Most fences and hedges may be up to 7 ft, measured on the higher side, and in a front yard anything over 3 ft must be at least 26 ft from the curb, per the City's fence and hedge notice (checked October 2026). Its Building Division page (checked October 2026) states that wood fences of 7 ft or less need no building permit.
Which trees are protected in Gilroy?
The City defines a Heritage Tree as any species with a single trunk of 90 in or more in circumference, and a Protected Tree as a listed native species (oaks, California bay, big leaf maple, madrone, California sycamore, California buckeye, alder) with a single trunk of 38 in or more, both measured 4.5 ft above grade. Fruit and nut trees and other nonindigenous species are exempt. See the City's Tree Removal Permits page (checked October 2026).
What days can I water my yard in Gilroy?
Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Water for no more than 15 minutes per station on each designated day, before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. See the City's Water Conservation page (checked October 2026).
Can Gilroy homeowners get a rebate for removing lawn?
Valley Water pays $2 per sq ft for qualifying conversions of at least 75 sq ft with 50% plant coverage, up to a $3,000 lifetime cap per residential site across rebate types. Keep the lawn for the pre-inspection, get the Notice to Proceed before any work or purchase, and note that artificial turf is excluded. Gilroy applicants can read the full terms on Valley Water's rebate page (checked October 2026).
Does the state decorative-lawn watering law (AB 1572) affect my Gilroy business or HOA?
Commercial, industrial and institutional sites must stop watering decorative turf with drinking water from January 1, 2028, and HOA common areas from January 1, 2029. Single-family homes are exempt. See the City's AB 1572 page (checked October 2026).
What does a retaining wall cost in Gilroy?
Our published San Jose figure is about $50 to $100 per square foot of wall face, so a wall 3 ft high and 40 ft long (120 sq ft of wall face) would cost roughly $6,000 to $12,000 at those rates. Your Gilroy quote is itemized after a free site visit.
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