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
Service area · South Bay
Landscaping in Santa Clara County
We build and renovate landscapes across Santa Clara County, from Palo Alto and Los Altos down the valley to San Jose, Saratoga and Los Gatos.
Where we work
Where does Arkland work in Santa Clara County?
Arkland Landscape Construction works in twelve Santa Clara County cities and communities: Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, Campbell, Saratoga, Monte Sereno and Los Gatos. Palo Alto is in Santa Clara County, so it's listed here, and also on our Peninsula page, because that's where most people place it.
Santa Clara County is warmer and drier than the counties to the north. The valley floor gets hot summers with little fog, and much of it sits on heavy clay that drains slowly in winter and cracks in summer. That makes irrigation, shade and the base under every patio more important here than the style of the yard.
The county's edges are different again. Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills mix older, tree-lined streets with larger hillside lots, while Saratoga, Monte Sereno and Los Gatos climb into the foothills, where slopes, long driveways and drainage come first. In Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, Santa Clara and San Jose, many mid-century homes, Eichlers among them, suit flat, clean-lined patios and low-water planting.
Water comes from several sources here. Valley Water manages water for the whole county, while your bill may come from a city utility or a water company, and that decides which lawn programs you can use.
Santa Clara County
12 communities
- Palo Alto
- San Jose
- Santa Clara
- Sunnyvale
- Mountain View
- Los Altos
- Los Altos Hills
- Cupertino
- Campbell
- Saratoga
- Monte Sereno
- Los Gatos
Local conditions
What shapes a Santa Clara County landscape?
Heat, clay, foothill slopes and protected trees. These are the things we plan around in the county.
Valley heat
Summers are hot and dry across most of the county. Drip irrigation, smart controllers, shade structures and drought-tolerant plants keep a yard green on less water.
Landscape EnhancementsHeavy clay
Clay holds winter rain and shrinks in summer heat. Good grading, drains and a solid, well-compacted base keep pavers and patios level for years.
Landscape RenovationFoothill lots
In Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Los Altos Hills, retaining walls, steps and terraces often come first, before patios and planting.
Landscape RenovationNative oaks
Old oaks are common on the west side of the valley, and several cities protect them. We plan grading, trenching and paving to stay clear of their roots.
Tree Services
Permits and water
What rules apply in Santa Clara County?
Each city has its own permit desk and tree rules, and unincorporated areas follow the county's. We check them for your address during the estimate.
Lawn rebates
Valley Water's Landscape Rebate Program covers lawn conversions in the county, and some cities' water agencies take part in BAWSCA's Lawn Be Gone!. Both need approval before any grass comes out.
Protected trees
Cities such as Palo Alto, Los Gatos and Saratoga protect native oaks and other large trees. Removing or heavily pruning one usually needs a permit.
Water-efficient landscape rules
New landscapes of 500 square feet or more that need a permit or design review, and large rehabilitated ones, must meet California's water-efficiency ordinance or a stricter local version.
Recent projects
Santa Clara County projects
We don't have a Santa Clara County case study with a confirmed city published yet. Our Eichler backyard with a concrete patio and fire table was in Atherton or Palo Alto, and our sources don't agree which, so it's shown with our Peninsula work. Each project page shows the photos, materials and what we built.
Is Palo Alto in Santa Clara County or on the Peninsula?
Both. Palo Alto is in Santa Clara County, but most people count it as part of the Peninsula because it sits next to Menlo Park and Atherton. Arkland lists it on our Santa Clara County page and our Peninsula page. The same crews and the same process cover it either way, and city permits go through Palo Alto's own departments.
Do I need a permit to remove an oak tree in Santa Clara County?
Often, yes. Several cities, including Palo Alto, Los Gatos and Saratoga, protect native oaks and other large trees, and removing or heavily pruning one usually needs a city permit. Unincorporated areas follow the county's tree rules. Size limits and protected species vary by city, so Arkland checks the rules for your address before any tree work or nearby digging is planned.
How do you build a patio or plant beds on clay soil in San Jose?
Start below the surface. Clay drains slowly and moves as it wets and dries, so Arkland grades the yard to shed water, adds drains where needed, and builds patios and pavers on a deep, compacted base. Planting beds get amended soil and drip irrigation, and we avoid working the soil when it's saturated. That keeps paving level and plants healthy.
Does Arkland have projects in Santa Clara County?
Not with a confirmed city yet. Our Eichler backyard project was in Atherton or Palo Alto, and our sources don't agree which, so we don't count it here. We work across the county, from Palo Alto and Los Altos to San Jose and Los Gatos, with the same crews and process behind our Peninsula projects.
Our divisions
Which landscaping services do we offer in Santa Clara County?
Upgrade the yard you have, rebuild it from the ground up, or build a new landscape from bare ground.
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 South Bay
Get started
Planning a project in Santa Clara 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.