Service area · East Bay
Landscaping in Alameda County
We build and renovate landscapes in Berkeley and Piedmont, where older homes, steep lots and big oaks shape almost every yard.
Where we work
Where does Arkland work in Alameda County?
Arkland Landscape Construction serves Berkeley and Piedmont in Alameda County. We have also finished a full backyard renovation with a pergola in Fremont, shown below. Fremont isn't one of our listed cities, so ask us first about projects there.
Berkeley and Piedmont sit at the foot of the East Bay hills, and many homes here are a century old. Lots are often narrow and steep, with stairs from the street, old retaining walls and drainage that was never designed for today's storms. On those yards, walls, steps and drainage usually come before a patio or new planting.
Trees matter here more than almost anywhere else we work. Coast live oaks, redwoods and other big trees shade many yards, and Berkeley protects its coast live oaks by ordinance. Upper hill neighborhoods are also in mapped fire hazard zones, so the area right around the house has to stay lean.
Lower down, the flats get more sun and warmer afternoons than San Francisco across the bay, which suits outdoor dining spaces, pergolas, raised vegetable beds and low-water gardens with California natives.
Alameda County
2 communities
- Berkeley
- Piedmont
Local conditions
What shapes an Alameda County landscape?
Old homes, steep lots, protected oaks and fire safety. These are the things we plan around here.
Steep, older lots
Many Berkeley and Piedmont homes need new retaining walls, steps and drainage before the yard can be used, and old walls often need replacing.
Landscape RenovationProtected oaks
Coast live oaks shade many hillside yards. We keep grading, trenching and paving out of their root zones and plan planting that likes dry summer shade.
Tree ServicesFire-safe design
In the hills, a lean zone around the house matters: spaced, low plants, gravel or pavers next to the walls, and nothing dry and dense under the eaves.
Landscape EnhancementsShade and outdoor rooms
Pergolas, string lights and built-in seating turn a small, sunny yard into an outdoor room. Our Fremont backyard is built around a wood pergola.
Landscape Renovation
Permits and water
What rules apply in Alameda County?
Each city sets its own permit and tree rules, and the county has more than one water district. We check them for your address during the estimate.
Berkeley's coast live oaks
Berkeley's Coast Live Oak ordinance restricts removing or heavily pruning coast live oaks above a set size, on public and private land. Exceptions need a city form and zoning approval first.
Two water districts
EBMUD serves Berkeley and Piedmont and runs a Lawn Conversion Rebate. Fremont, Newark and Union City are served by the Alameda County Water District, which runs its own conservation programs.
Walls and structures
Taller retaining walls, walls that hold up a slope, and larger structures can need a permit and sometimes an engineer. Each city has its own review process.
Recent projects
Alameda County projects
Real Arkland work in Alameda County, with photos and what we built.
Do I need a permit to remove an oak tree in Berkeley?
For a coast live oak above a set size, yes. Berkeley's Coast Live Oak ordinance restricts removing or heavily pruning these oaks on both public and private property, and an exception needs a city form, with zoning approval first. Other species have different rules. Arkland checks what applies before any tree work, and plans patios and walls to keep clear of protected roots.
Which water district serves my Alameda County home?
It depends on the city. EBMUD serves Berkeley, Piedmont and much of the northern county, and offers a Lawn Conversion Rebate. Fremont, Newark and Union City are served by the Alameda County Water District instead, and the Tri-Valley has its own water agencies. Your water bill shows your provider, and its programs decide which lawn rebate you can apply for before work starts.
Can you build a pergola in an Alameda County backyard?
Yes. Our Fremont backyard renovation is built around a wood pergola with string lights. Whether a pergola needs a permit depends on its size, height, how close it is to the property line and whether it's attached to the house, and each city sets its own rules. Arkland sizes the pergola to the yard and checks the city's requirements during the estimate.
How do you landscape under big oaks in the Berkeley hills?
Gently. Oak roots spread wide and shallow, so Arkland avoids changing the grade, trenching or laying solid paving near the trunk. Under the canopy we use mulch, stepping stones or gravel and plants that handle dry summer shade, and we avoid regular summer watering close to the trunk, which native oaks don't like. Pruning is planned with the tree's health in mind.
Our divisions
Which landscaping services do we offer in Alameda County?
Upgrade the yard you have, rebuild it from the ground up, or build a new landscape from bare ground.
01
New Construction
Complete landscapes for new builds and bare lots.
Includes
- Full landscape installs from bare ground
- Building from your landscape architect's or designer's plans
- New irrigation and drainage systems
- Hardscape, planting and turf
02
Landscape Renovation
Rebuild an existing yard from the ground up.
Includes
- Demolition of old patios, decks and plantings
- Drainage and retaining walls
- Patios, walkways, driveways and steps
- Fire pits, outdoor kitchens and BBQ islands
03
Landscape Enhancements
Upgrade the yard you already have.
Includes
- Planting and plant selection
- Drought-tolerant and California-native plant upgrades
- Outdoor lighting
- Irrigation repairs, upgrades and new installs
More of the East Bay
Get started
Planning a project in Alameda County?
Tell us what you have in mind and where the property is. We'll come out, look at the site and give you a clear estimate.