Commercial and Residential Landscaping in Santa Clara
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- 5 on Google
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA builds and maintains landscapes for Santa Clara businesses, HOA communities and homeowners. That covers lawn-to-planting conversions, drip irrigation retrofits, pavers, walls, drainage, lighting and ongoing maintenance. Founded in 1987 by David Muhoberac, we are fully insured, and each job starts with a free site visit and an itemized, project-based quote.
Updated October 2026
Commercial landscaping and decorative lawn watering limits in Santa Clara
Santa Clara office parks, retail centers and HOA communities face deadlines for watering decorative lawns with drinking water. The City's non-functional turf page (checked October 2026) says that under state law AB 1572, drinking water may not be used on non-functional turf at commercial, industrial and institutional properties from January 1, 2028, or in HOA common areas from January 1, 2029, and that single-family homes are not covered. The same page already lists watering non-functional turf with drinking water in those areas among the City's restrictions in effect at all times.
The City defines non-functional turf as irrigated lawn that serves no recreational or community use. Its examples include strips narrower than 8 ft, park strips between the street and sidewalk, lawn lining driveways and parking lots, entryway and perimeter lawn, and lawn in medians or roundabouts. Sports fields, park and school lawns used for gatherings, and lawn at single-family homes count as functional turf.
For properties replacing ornamental lawn, we handle the full conversion: removing the ornamental lawn, planting low-water beds, converting spray zones to drip irrigation, fixing drainage at entrances and parking edges, and setting up ongoing landscape maintenance. For both commercial and residential work, we provide an itemized quote for the project.
Valley Water runs a Landscape Rebate Program (checked October 2026). Confirm that your water account is eligible, and receive the Notice to Proceed before starting any work or buying any equipment.
Santa Clara watering rules that apply all year
The same City page sets out permanent restrictions for every water user, under Section 1.C of the City's Potable and Recycled Water System Rules and Regulations. Landscape irrigation is banned between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., and outdoor watering is banned during measurable precipitation and for 48 hours after it.
It also prohibits water running onto City sidewalks, gutters and streets, washing driveways or sidewalks, washing vehicles with a hose that lacks an automatic shut-off nozzle, decorative fountains or ponds without a recirculating pump, and water lost to a broken or leaking irrigation system. Businesses may not water grass on public street medians.
Systems we install use Rain Bird and Hunter components with Rachio or Hunter Hydrawise smart controllers, which make it easy to keep run times outside the restricted hours. Irrigation carries a 2-year warranty.
Fence, wall and hedge heights in Santa Clara
The City's Planning FAQs (checked October 2026) state that fences are generally limited to 3 ft in the required front yard or street side yard. Behind those areas the general limit is 6 ft, with 1 ft of open lattice allowed on top. The detailed rules are in Zoning Code Chapter 18.34.
Under the City's Fences, Walls, Hedges and Screens handout (checked October 2026), heights are measured from finished grade to the top of the fence, wall or hedge, and the ground next to it may not be raised to gain extra height. The handout also warns that the first 3 to 5 ft behind the sidewalk is usually public right-of-way rather than private land, and suggests calling City Engineering at 408-615-3000 to locate the property line.
Those limits apply to hedges and screens as well as fences. Our retaining walls page covers seat walls and low walls; check with the City whether your wall needs a permit.
Rules for street trees and private trees in Santa Clara
Trees in the public right-of-way, in City easements and on streets are City trees under Municipal Code Chapter 12.35. The City's City Trees page (checked October 2026) says residents, and anyone they hire, may not prune or remove them, with fines of up to $1,000 plus the cost of a replacement tree. Requests go to Public Works at 408-615-3080.
The same page notes that the November 2021 Tree Ordinance update protects private trees, sets replacement ratios and requires tree protection plans for construction projects. Before building a patio or wall or digging a trench near a large tree, check with the City Planning Division. For new trees, see our planting and tree installation page; plant warranties run up to 1 year.
Home landscaping in Santa Clara
For Santa Clara homes we design and build paver patios and walkways, low walls, artificial turf or sod, drip irrigation, lighting and planting. Our published San Jose figures give a starting point: about $15 to $30 per sq ft for a paver patio, $8 to $15 per sq ft for artificial turf (a California figure), $3,000 to $10,000 for an irrigation system and $25,000 to $75,000+ for a full backyard renovation. The San Jose landscaping cost guide explains the ranges.
Pavers carry a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. Artificial turf carries a 15-year warranty, and lighting and drainage each carry a 2-year warranty. If your home is in an HOA, check its rules as well and share them with us during the estimate visit.
Your Santa Clara landscape project from first visit to completion
Walk your Santa Clara property with us
Call or text (408) 207-5545 to set a time for a free walk-through, whether it is a single yard or a commercial campus.
Agree on the work and the itemized quote
David lays out the plan with you, or we prepare a quote based on drawings your architect or designer has already prepared. Design comes with the free estimate, as described on our landscape design page.
Apply for any required approvals and rebates
Check with the City, and with your HOA board if you have one, which approvals the project needs. Get the Valley Water Notice to Proceed before removing any lawn or buying equipment.
Complete the build and discuss optional maintenance
Our crew completes the work listed in your itemized quote. We also offer ongoing landscape maintenance.
The team serving Santa Clara
David Muhoberac founded Landscape Associates of CA in 1987, and the company is fully insured. We also work in neighboring Sunnyvale, San Jose and Mountain View. The pictures here are of our own projects, shown without their locations.
For a free estimate on a Santa Clara home or commercial property, call or text (408) 207-5545 or fill in the form on this page.
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) 207-5545Can a Santa Clara business still water decorative lawn?
Not with drinking water. The City lists watering non-functional turf with drinking water in commercial, industrial and institutional areas, including HOA common areas, among its restrictions in effect at all times. Its page also gives the AB 1572 dates: January 1, 2027 for government properties, 2028 for commercial, industrial and institutional properties and 2029 for HOA common areas. Single-family homes are not affected. See the City's non-functional turf page (checked October 2026).
What does non-functional turf mean in Santa Clara?
Lawn that is only decorative or serves no community use, including strips under 8 ft wide, park strips, lawn lining driveways or parking lots, entry and perimeter lawn and median turf. Sports fields, park lawns used for gatherings and lawn at single-family homes count as functional. Source: the City's non-functional turf page (checked October 2026).
When can I water my landscape in Santa Clara?
Not between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. The City also bans outdoor watering during measurable precipitation and for 48 hours afterward, and any runoff onto sidewalks, gutters or streets. These rules appear on the City's water page (checked October 2026) and apply to all water users.
How tall can a fence be in Santa Clara?
Generally 3 ft in the required front yard or street side yard, and 6 ft with 1 ft of open lattice on top behind those areas, per the City's Planning FAQs (checked October 2026). Heights are measured from finished grade, and the grade may not be built up to gain height.
Can I trim the street tree in front of my Santa Clara property?
No. The City says residents and the companies they hire may not prune or remove City trees. Having anyone other than City personnel prune or remove one can bring a fine of up to $1,000 plus replacement costs. Contact Public Works at 408-615-3080. See the City's City Trees page (checked October 2026).
Do you maintain commercial landscapes in Santa Clara?
Yes. We install landscapes for commercial properties, HOAs and homes, and we also offer ongoing landscape maintenance. To set up a walk-through, call or text (408) 207-5545.
What does a backyard renovation cost in Santa Clara?
In our published San Jose guide, a full backyard renovation runs $25,000 to $75,000+ and typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. Smaller planting projects run about $2,000 to $5,000. Every Santa Clara quote is itemized after the 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