- Home
- Services
- Landscape Design
- Los Altos
Landscape Design in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- 5 on Google
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape design in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills starts with David Muhoberac laying out your yard with you at a free on-site estimate. Landscape Associates of CA provides an itemized project quote. Our own crew then completes the agreed work. Discuss existing trees, fence placement and the different City and Town rules at that first visit.
Updated November 2026
Landscape design in Los Altos: plan around existing trees and yard features
Before choosing a patio shape, think about the parts of your property you want to keep: a tree, an existing path or a planted corner. Then consider what is missing. You might want somewhere to sit, a clearer route through the yard or less lawn to look after. Those choices give the layout a purpose.
Check which trees are protected early in the discussion. The City of Los Altos protects trees at 38 in circumference, or 12 in diameter, measured 48 in above grade, and native species at 10 in diameter. Protected-tree removal requires a Tree Removal Permit under the City tree guidance (checked October 2026). Do not assume you can remove a tree to make room for a larger patio.
Across the boundary in Los Altos Hills, the Town defines a heritage oak as any Quercus measuring 36 in around, or about 12 in in diameter. The measurement is taken 4 ft above the root crown. Its heritage-oak removal guidance (checked October 2026) requires a removal permit. The City and Town measure from different points. Check which rules apply to your property before assessing an oak.
Fence and wall rules in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills
A fence can change how private a seating area feels, but its position matters as much as its height. Under the Los Altos fence code (checked October 2026), the maximum is 6 ft, reduced to 4 ft in the required front-yard setback and within 5 ft of the exterior side line of a corner lot.
Los Altos Hills has different approval requirements. The Town fence, wall and column packet (checked October 2026) requires a Zoning Permit for any fence, column or wall. You may also need a building permit after the zoning permit. The fence maximum is 6 ft on property lines and in setbacks not adjacent to a road.
For a City of Los Altos retaining wall, confirm the requirements with the Building Division before settling on the design. The sources we checked do not say what wall height requires a City building permit. Discuss the proposed retaining wall alongside the nearby patio and planting so the layout does not depend on an unchecked assumption.
Plan your landscaping project with David at a free site visit
David Muhoberac founded Landscape Associates of CA in 1987. During the free property visit, he lays out the yard with you, considering access, ground conditions and how you want to use the space. Design is part of that estimate and the itemized quote. We are fully insured and serve both Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
During the walk-through, explain where you want to sit, which areas need planting and what you want to connect with a path. For paver patios and walkways, discuss the space they occupy before getting caught up in the finish. The quote then separates the proposed work into items you can review.
Our own crew completes the agreed construction work. If you already have an architect's or designer's plans, we can build from those too. The main landscape design page explains our approach across the service area; our Los Altos and Los Altos Hills landscaping page covers the broader installation services available here.
Check lawn replacement rebate requirements before removing grass
A rebate can affect both the planting layout and when work starts. Valley Water landscape rebate requirements (checked October 2026) specify at least 75 sq ft of lawn conversion and 50% coverage with qualifying plants. The existing lawn must remain for the pre-inspection. Dead lawn is acceptable; bare dirt is not. Discuss the rebate while planning the design.
The same Valley Water program (checked October 2026) requires a Notice to Proceed before any work or equipment purchase. Its base lawn-conversion rate is $2 per sq ft, with a combined lifetime cap of $3,000 per residential site across rebate types. Funding runs through June 30, 2027, or until funds run out. Artificial turf is excluded.
For properties using Valley Water-supplied potable water, Ordinance 23-02 (checked October 2026) prohibits overhead irrigation from 9 AM to 6 PM, more than incidental runoff, and watering during or within 48 hours after 0.25 in of rain. Confirm the water supply for your address before applying these rules. Consider irrigation while deciding where lawn and beds will go.
Design decisions to settle before construction
- Tree or patio: decide which trees will stay before choosing where to pave. If you are considering removing a tree, check the City or Town rules listed above.
- Privacy or street frontage: locate the proposed fence relative to the front setback, corner and road before selecting its height.
- Lawn or planted beds: decide whether rebate eligibility matters before changing the existing lawn. Include new planting and its watering needs in the layout.
- Whole yard or selected areas: use the itemized quote to see what the proposed paving, walls, irrigation and planting each involve.
Landscaping cost examples to help plan your Los Altos budget
Our published San Jose prices range from about $2,000 to $5,000 for garden beds and planting. Paver patios cost about $15 to $30 per sq ft installed, and irrigation systems cost $3,000 to $10,000. These figures can help you discuss how much work to include. They do not set the price for a project in Los Altos or Los Altos Hills.
For a full backyard renovation with pavers, walls, turf and lighting, our published San Jose range is $25,000 to $75,000+. Your actual project price comes from the itemized quote after the site visit. Start with the areas you want to change, then compare that proposed work with your budget.
To discuss your yard with David, call or text (408) 207-5545. During the free on-site estimate, discuss your priorities, the existing layout and the work you would like our crew to do.
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 to commission a separate design before booking a Los Altos estimate?
No separate design is needed to start the conversation. David works out the yard layout with you during the free on-site estimate, and the proposed project is priced in an itemized quote.
Can my existing designer's layout be the starting point for your quote?
Yes. We build from plans supplied by a homeowner's architect or designer as well as layouts developed with David. Bring those plans when you discuss the work you want done.
Do I need a permit to build a decorative pillar in Los Altos Hills?
Yes. The Town includes any column, fence or wall in its Zoning Permit requirement. A building permit may also be necessary after zoning approval. See the Town application packet (checked October 2026).
Do Los Altos and Los Altos Hills measure protected oaks the same way?
Not exactly. Both measure at 4 ft, but the Los Altos guidance (checked October 2026) measures 48 in above grade and protects trees from 38 in around, or native species from 10 in diameter, while the Los Altos Hills heritage-oak guidance (checked October 2026) measures 4 ft above the root crown and starts at 36 in around. Use the definition that applies to your property.
Can I get a lawn replacement rebate if my grass is dead?
Dead lawn can qualify, but bare dirt cannot. Leave the lawn for pre-inspection and obtain the Notice to Proceed before work or equipment purchases under the Valley Water program conditions (checked October 2026).
Can you care for the Los Altos garden after installation?
Ongoing landscape maintenance is available from Landscape Associates of CA. When discussing the layout and installation with David, mention any maintenance help you want afterward.
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