Landscaping and Landscape Construction in Santa Cruz
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- 5 on Google
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA designs and builds landscapes for homes, HOAs and commercial properties in Santa Cruz. Our work includes water-wise planting, drip irrigation, pavers and patios, retaining walls, drainage and lighting. Founded in 1987 by David Muhoberac, we are fully insured and start every project with a free on-site estimate and an itemized quote.
Updated October 2026
What we design and build in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is within our service area around the Monterey Bay. Follow the service links below for our published price guides and warranty details.
- Landscape design: David lays out the yard with you, or we build from your architect's or designer's plans. Design is part of the free estimate.
- Drip irrigation and weather-based controllers. Irrigation carries a 2-year warranty.
- Water-wise planting and tree installation, with a plant warranty of up to 1 year. October to November is the best planting window.
- Paver patios, paths and driveways, with a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship.
- Retaining walls and drainage for yards that slope or hold water in winter. Drainage work carries a 2-year warranty.
- Low-voltage landscape lighting for steps, paths and planting.
- Ongoing landscape maintenance once the build is done.
For budgeting, our published San Jose guide lists a full backyard renovation at $25,000 to $75,000+, with a timeline of 2 to 6 weeks. Garden bed or planting projects cost about $2,000 to $5,000. The landscaping cost guide explains what goes into those price ranges. Your Santa Cruz quote is itemized after the site visit.
Permits to remove or prune heritage trees in Santa Cruz
The City of Santa Cruz Urban Forestry page (checked October 2026) treats a tree 14 in or more in diameter, measured 4.5 ft from the ground, as a heritage tree. Removing one, or pruning more than 25% of it, needs a Heritage Tree Permit. An approved permit is posted for a 10-day appeal period. If no appeal is filed, it remains valid for 45 days.
If a large tree stands near a planned patio, wall footing or irrigation trench, mark the trees you are keeping before the layout is set and confirm any Heritage Tree Permit requirements with the City. If a removal is part of the plan, allow for the 10-day posting period in the timeline.
Santa Cruz rules for fences and hedges near the street
Under Santa Cruz Municipal Code section 24.12.160 (checked October 2026), fences and fence-like structures, which include hedges, may not exceed 3 ft 6 in within the required front and exterior side yard setbacks. Elsewhere on the lot the limit is 8 ft, and any part above 6 ft must be lattice or similar material that is at least 50% open.
The same section asks that any yard area between a fence and the sidewalk or property line be landscaped and permanently maintained, without hedges above 3.5 ft. That strip is part of the front yard planting design.
Santa Cruz watering hours and landscape rules for new development
Santa Cruz Municipal Code section 16.02.040 (checked October 2026) prohibits using potable water on lawns, gardens or ornamental landscaping between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., unless watering by drip irrigation or by hand with a shut-off nozzle. It also bans irrigation that lets excess water run to waste, and watering during or within 48 hours after a quarter inch of rain.
For the irrigation systems we install, we use Rain Bird and Hunter equipment, with Rachio and Hunter Hydrawise smart controllers.
For new development, the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 16.16, summarized on the City WELO page (checked October 2026)) requires landscape and irrigation plans for new single-family and two-unit homes, with requirements that depend on parcel size, and a weather-based irrigation controller for most developments. It does not allow turf in new non-residential landscapes.
Turf watering deadlines in Santa Cruz for HOAs, businesses and public properties
The City's AB 1572 page (checked October 2026) explains that drinking water may no longer be used to irrigate nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial and institutional properties starting January 1, 2028, or in homeowner association common areas starting January 1, 2029. Single-family yards are not covered, and neither is artificial turf.
The City notes that switching off the timer is not enough for long-term compliance. The options it lists are capping or removing the irrigation that serves the turf, or replacing the turf with a water-wise, drought-tolerant landscape. We design and install replacement planting and convert irrigation systems to drip for HOA and commercial properties.
Landscaping and rules outside Santa Cruz city limits
How we plan and build your Santa Cruz landscape
Walk your Santa Cruz property with us
Call or text (408) 207-5545 to book a free on-site estimate at your Santa Cruz property.
Agree on the layout and itemized price
David lays out the yard with you, or we build from your architect's or designer's plans, and the quote is project-based and itemized.
Review tree permit and irrigation requirements
Resolve any heritage tree permit requirements and finalize the irrigation plan before the crew arrives to avoid delays during construction.
Build the landscape and review it with you
Our crew builds the project set out in the itemized quote. The pavers we install carry a lifetime warranty covering materials and workmanship.
Meet the team working on your Santa Cruz landscape
David Muhoberac founded Landscape Associates of CA in 1987. We are fully insured and take on residential and commercial work. These are photographs of our work; their locations are not identified.
To arrange a free on-site estimate for your Santa Cruz yard, call or text (408) 207-5545 or use 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) 207-5545Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Santa Cruz?
If it is a heritage tree, yes. The City of Santa Cruz Urban Forestry page (checked October 2026) defines a heritage tree as 14 in or more in diameter, measured 4.5 ft from the ground, and requires a Heritage Tree Permit to remove it or prune more than 25% of it. Approved permits are posted for 10 days before they take effect.
What hours can I water my garden in Santa Cruz?
City code bans watering lawns and gardens with potable water between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except by drip irrigation or by hand with a shut-off nozzle. It also bans watering during or within 48 hours after a quarter inch of rain, and any watering that lets water run to waste. See section 16.02.040 (checked October 2026).
How high can a front yard hedge be in Santa Cruz?
Within the required front and exterior side yard setbacks, Santa Cruz Municipal Code section 24.12.160 (checked October 2026) limits fences and fence-like structures, including hedges, to 3 ft 6 in. Hedges in the strip between a fence and the sidewalk are also capped at 3.5 ft, and that strip must be landscaped and maintained.
Do California's turf watering restrictions apply to my Santa Cruz home?
Not if it is a single-family home. According to the City's AB 1572 page (checked October 2026), the rule prohibits using drinking water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial and institutional properties starting January 1, 2028, and in HOA common areas starting January 1, 2029. Artificial turf is not covered. We plan water-wise replacements for HOAs and commercial sites.
What does landscaping cost in Santa Cruz?
Our published San Jose guide lists a full backyard renovation at $25,000 to $75,000+, with a timeline of 2 to 6 weeks. Garden bed or planting projects cost about $2,000 to $5,000. Every Santa Cruz quote is project-based and itemized after a free site visit.
Do new Santa Cruz homes need a landscape plan?
Yes. Under the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (checked October 2026), landscape and irrigation plans must be submitted for new single-family and two-unit homes, with requirements that depend on parcel size. Most developments also need a weather-based irrigation controller. New non-residential landscapes may not include turf.
Do you offer landscaping in Capitola, Aptos and Scotts Valley?
Yes, those communities are within our service area around the Monterey Bay. The City of Santa Cruz rules on this page do not cover them, so confirm the requirements with the local planning authority and water supplier for your address. Call or text (408) 207-5545 to book an estimate.
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