Landscaping, hardscape and concrete in Rancho Palos Verdes

Del Mar Landscaping builds yards in Rancho Palos Verdes, from Miraleste to the homes along Palos Verdes Drive: planting, pavers, concrete, retaining walls, drainage and irrigation, all by one licensed crew (California license #904584, C-27 Landscaping and C-8 Concrete). We're a family business, founded in 1993 and based in Long Beach. On the Peninsula's slopes, a good yard plan starts with the City's grading limits, its view rules and, near Portuguese Bend, its landslide regulations.

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What we build in Rancho Palos Verdes

Yards we build in Rancho Palos Verdes

Hillside yards are where walls, drainage and planting have to be planned together. We design the whole yard with you and build it with one crew.

Curved paver path and steps beside a lawn

Photos of our own work. More on our project gallery.

Good to know

Planning a yard project in Rancho Palos Verdes

Checked against city codes and official sources in October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the details for your lot on the free estimate.

Front-yard heights. Fences, walls and hedges in the front setback can be up to 42 inches, including any retaining wall under them; elsewhere on the lot, fences and walls can reach 7 feet. A taller front-setback fence (up to 7 feet) or hedge (up to 6 feet) needs a Minor Exception Permit.

Source: RPV Municipal Code 17.76.030

Grading tiers. Under 20 cubic yards in two years, with cuts and fills under 3 feet, is exempt. Up to 50 cubic yards (or 3 to 5 foot cuts) needs a minor grading permit; more than 50 cubic yards, 5-foot cuts or fills, or any work on a slope of 35% or more needs a major grading permit.

Source: RPV Municipal Code 17.76.040

Retaining walls. The grading rules allow one upslope retaining wall up to 8 feet, front or street-side setback walls up to 3½ feet, one downslope wall up to 3½ feet, and walls beside a driveway up to 5 feet. New finished slopes can't be steeper than 35%.

Source: RPV Municipal Code 17.76.040

Landslide areas. Inside the Greater Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex, most permits are prohibited unless an exception applies. Yards there must use minimal-water landscaping and a City-approved irrigation system so water doesn't add to land movement, and roof runoff has to go to the street or an approved drainage course.

Source: RPV Municipal Code 15.20 (2025)

Views. Under Proposition M (1989), foliage that significantly blocks a neighbor's view can't grow taller than 16 feet or the roof ridgeline, whichever is lower, so we plan tree and hedge heights with that in mind. Miraleste homes are also under the Palos Verdes Homes Association's Art Jury review.

Source: RPV Municipal Code 17.02.040 · Palos Verdes Homes Association FAQ

Brush clearance. LA County Fire's 2026 notice asks owners to clear or maintain combustible plants such as acacia, cypress, eucalyptus, juniper and pine within 30 feet of a structure, thin vegetation out to 100 feet, and keep dry grass at 3 inches or less. Parts of the City are in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

Source: LA County Fire 2026 defensible space notice · RPV Municipal Code 8.08

Questions

Rancho Palos Verdes landscaping questions

Can I do yard work inside the Portuguese Bend landslide area?

Only with a landslide exception permit and geotechnical studies. Fences, walls and hedges that involve no grading or retaining walls can be allowed, as can balanced grading up to 50 cubic yards per lot, and irrigation has to be minimal and approved by the City.

How tall can a retaining wall be in Rancho Palos Verdes?

Under the City's grading rules: one upslope wall up to 8 feet, one downslope wall up to 3½ feet, walls in the front or street-side setback up to 3½ feet, and walls next to a driveway up to 5 feet.

Will a new tree or hedge cause a view problem with my neighbor?

It can. Under Proposition M, foliage that significantly blocks a neighbor's view can't grow above 16 feet or your roof ridgeline, whichever is lower. We pick plants and placements that stay within that.

Other areas we serve

Palos Verdes Estates Rolling Hills Estates Torrance San Pedro Home

Free on-site estimate in Rancho Palos Verdes

Del Mar Landscaping, family-owned since 1993. California license #904584 (C-27 Landscaping, C-8 Concrete). Se habla español.

Call (310) 427-9089 Text us Request an estimate