Landscaping and Landscape Design in Sunnyvale
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- 5 on Google
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA designs and builds landscapes for homes and commercial sites in Sunnyvale. Our work includes paver patios, artificial turf and sod, low retaining walls, drip irrigation, drainage and planting. Founded in 1987 by David Muhoberac, we are fully insured and start with a free on-site estimate. We provide an itemized quote for every project.
Updated October 2026
Sunnyvale landscaping services and cost guides
Plan the patio, the lawn, the planting beds and the irrigation together when you change a Sunnyvale yard. The price ranges below come from our published San Jose guides. We provide an itemized quote for your Sunnyvale project after visiting the site.
| Project | Published price range (San Jose unless noted) | Where we explain it |
|---|---|---|
| Paver patio | About $15 to $30 per sq ft installed; most patios take 3 to 7 days | Paver patios and walkways |
| Artificial turf | $8 to $15 per sq ft installed (California figure) | Artificial turf and sod |
| Irrigation system | $3,000 to $10,000 | Drip and sprinkler irrigation |
| Drainage correction | $1,500 to $8,000 | Yard drainage and French drains |
| Landscape lighting | $2,000 to $6,000 | Outdoor lighting |
| Full backyard renovation | $25,000 to $75,000+, usually 2 to 6 weeks | Landscape construction and renovation |
For the reasoning behind these figures, read our San Jose landscaping cost guide.
Retaining wall permits and front yard fence and hedge limits in Sunnyvale
The City of Sunnyvale Residential Fences handout (checked October 2026) says a retaining wall under 4 ft, measured from the base of the footing to the top, does not need a permit. It also says that a fence set on top of a retaining wall needs a building permit whatever the wall height. Plan the wall and fence together if the ground level changes along a property line.
For front yards, the same handout allows a fence up to 4 ft without a permit, but nothing over 3.5 ft inside a driveway or corner vision triangle unless it is an open fence. Fences from 4 to 6 ft need a Miscellaneous Plan Permit. Fences above 6 ft need a Use Permit. Side and rear yard fences up to 8 ft need no planning permit, while anything over 7 ft needs a building permit.
Hedges count too: the handout applies front yard height limits to hedges and other natural objects. If your home is in a homeowners association, the City asks you to check the CC&Rs for extra rules. Our retaining walls page covers the low walls and seat walls we build.
Tree protection and removal permits in Sunnyvale
Under the City's private tree rules (checked October 2026), a tree is protected when its trunk measures 38 in or more around, 4.5 ft above the ground. A multi-trunk tree is protected when one trunk measures 38 in around, or when the measurements around all trunks add up to 113 in. Removing a protected tree on private property needs a City permit.
That matters when a new patio, wall footing or trench runs near a large tree, so mark the trees you want to keep before the layout is set. Our planting and tree installation page covers new trees, and plants carry a warranty of up to 1 year.
Sunnyvale watering rules and Valley Water lawn replacement rebates
Sunnyvale Municipal Code section 12.34.020 (checked October 2026) bans watering landscapes with potable water between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. during daylight saving time, except when using a bucket or a hose with a shut-off nozzle. It bans runoff onto walkways, roads and neighboring property, and watering during rain or within 48 hours after 0.20 in of rainfall.
The same section limits unattended irrigation to 15 minutes per day per station. Drip systems where no emitter exceeds 2 gallons per hour, weather-based controllers and stream rotor sprinklers that meet a 71% efficiency standard are exempt from that limit. We install irrigation systems with Rain Bird and Hunter equipment and Rachio or Hunter Hydrawise smart controllers. Irrigation carries a 2-year warranty.
The City's rebates page (checked October 2026) lists the Valley Water Landscape Rebate Program for Sunnyvale. It covers lawn conversion, irrigation equipment upgrades, in-line drip conversion and rainwater capture, with rebates of up to $3,000 for a residential site and up to $100,000 for commercial or multi-family sites with 5 or more units.
Under Valley Water's program rules (checked October 2026), eligible lawn conversions may receive $2 per sq ft, subject to available funding and the combined $3,000 lifetime residential cap across rebate types. The program requires conversion of at least 75 sq ft and 50% coverage with qualifying plants. The lawn must still be in place at the pre-inspection, and you must receive the Notice to Proceed before starting any work or purchasing equipment. Artificial turf does not qualify, so review the qualifying-plant rules before choosing the replacement landscape.
Commercial and multi-family landscaping in Sunnyvale
We take on residential and commercial landscape work. For a Sunnyvale office, retail or apartment property, that can mean replacing thirsty lawn with water-wise planting, converting spray zones to drip, repairing drainage around entrances and the edges of parking areas, or setting up ongoing landscape maintenance after the build.
Larger sites may qualify for rebates up to the higher commercial cap listed above, subject to Valley Water program rules. Commercial quotes are project-based and itemized, like residential ones.
From first call to finished yard in Sunnyvale
Free on-site estimate
Call or text (408) 207-5545 to arrange a free on-site estimate at your Sunnyvale property.
Layout and itemized quote
David lays out the yard with you, or we work from your architect's or designer's plans. Every quote is project-based and itemized. Design is part of the free estimate; read more about our landscape design process.
Review permit and rebate requirements
Check the City rules above against your plan. If you are applying for the Valley Water rebate, the Notice to Proceed has to arrive before any lawn comes out.
Build the landscape and review the finished work
Our crew builds the project set out in the itemized quote. Pavers carry a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship, and artificial turf carries a 15-year warranty.
Meet the team working on your Sunnyvale landscape
David Muhoberac founded Landscape Associates of CA in 1987. We are fully insured, and we work across the South Bay and the Monterey Peninsula, including Sunnyvale, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, San Jose and Saratoga. These are photographs of our work; their locations are not identified.
Tell us what you want to change in your Sunnyvale yard. Call or text (408) 207-5545, or fill out the form on this page to arrange 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 Sunnyvale?
Not for a wall under 4 ft measured from the base of the footing to the top, according to the City of Sunnyvale Residential Fences handout (checked October 2026). Confirm the requirements for a wall 4 ft or higher with the City. Any fence placed on top of a retaining wall needs a building permit regardless of the wall height.
How tall can a front yard hedge or fence be in Sunnyvale?
According to the City's Residential Fences handout (checked October 2026), a front yard fence up to 4 ft needs no permit. Within a driveway or corner vision triangle, the limit is 3.5 ft unless the fence is open. Fences from 4 to 6 ft need a Miscellaneous Plan Permit. Fences above 6 ft need a Use Permit. Hedges follow the same front yard limits.
Which Sunnyvale trees need a permit to remove?
Protected trees do. A single-trunk tree is protected if its trunk measures 38 in or more around at 4.5 ft above the ground. A multi-trunk tree is protected if one trunk measures 38 in around or the measurements around its trunks add up to 113 in. See the City's private tree page (checked October 2026) before planning work near a large tree.
When can I run sprinklers in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale Municipal Code section 12.34.020 (checked October 2026) bans potable-water landscape irrigation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during daylight saving time, and for 48 hours after 0.20 in of rain. Unattended systems are limited to 15 minutes per station per day. Exceptions include drip systems with no emitter over 2 gallons per hour, weather-based controllers and stream rotors meeting a 71% efficiency standard.
Can I get a rebate for replacing my Sunnyvale lawn?
Possibly, through the Valley Water Landscape Rebate Program listed on the City's rebates page (checked October 2026). Under Valley Water program rules (checked October 2026), eligible conversions may receive $2 per sq ft, with at least 75 sq ft converted, 50% qualifying-plant coverage and a $3,000 combined residential cap, subject to funding. Wait until you receive the Notice to Proceed before starting work. Artificial turf does not qualify.
What does a paver patio cost in Sunnyvale?
Our published San Jose guide puts a paver patio at about $15 to $30 per sq ft installed. As an illustration, 250 sq ft x $15 to $30 = $3,750 to $7,500. That is a budgeting example; every Sunnyvale quote is project-based and itemized.
Do you take on commercial landscape work in Sunnyvale?
Yes. We handle residential and commercial landscaping, including water-wise conversions, drip retrofits, drainage repairs and ongoing maintenance. The City's rebates page (checked October 2026) lists Valley Water rebates of up to $100,000 for commercial and multi-family sites with 5 or more units. Call or text (408) 207-5545 to arrange a walk-through.
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