Landscaping Cost in San Francisco (2026)
Average cost in San Francisco
$5,000 – $150,000
$5 – $17 per sq ft
In San Francisco, the average is $22,700 and most projects cost between $5,000 and $150,000, or about $5 – $17 per sq ft. Prices are before tax and based on 12 sources.
Cost Breakdown
ItemizedSkilled construction and installation
50%
Plants, sod, mulch, and hardscape
30%
Architectural plans and 3D renderings
10%
SFPUC and Public Works fees
7%
Buffer for site conditions/slopes
3%
Sales Tax at 7.25%
📋What's Included
ScopeTypically Includes
- Sod or seed lawn
- Garden bed preparation
- Mulch & edging
- Shrubs & perennials (basic)
- Grading & soil prep
- Labor
Typically Excludes
- Hardscaping (pavers, retaining walls)
- Irrigation system
- Mature tree planting
- Outdoor lighting
- Fencing
Based on landscaping a standard 2,000 sq ft front or back yard.
🧮Estimate your project
LiveYour estimate in San Francisco
Likely range $10,215 – $49,940
- Labor50%$11,350
- Materials30%$6,810
- Design & Planning10%$2,270
- Permits & Compliance7%$1,589
- Contingency3%$681
Basic (lawn + shrubs)
$22,700
Standard (design + planting)
$36,320
Full (hardscape + plants + irrigation)
$54,480
Calibrated to 12 researched sources for San Francisco. Before tax. Real quotes vary with site conditions.
📈Price Momentum
Year-over-year~1 year ago
$20,487
Today
$22,700
Landscaping in San Francisco is ↑ 10.8% compared to roughly a year ago — about $2,213 more on the average project.
Comparison derived from the year-over-year change rate, not a month-by-month price index. We don't store historical snapshots yet — when we do, this will become a real time series.
🏢Top Landscaping Contractors in San Francisco
Verified providersInside Out Landscaping
373 Shaw Rd, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
20 reviews
Madroño Landscape Design Studio
2053 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
18 reviews
Provider data sourced from public business directories. Ratings and reviews are public and may change. LookupCost is not affiliated with listed providers.
💬What People Actually Paid
Community❓Common Questions
Basic sidewalk landscaping permits cost approximately $311, while tree removal permits range from $488 to $983. For larger construction-related landscaping, San Francisco typically charges 6-9% of total project costs in permit and impact fees.
Yes, the SFPUC and local water districts offer 'Lawn-to-Garden' rebates ranging from $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot for converting turf to drought-tolerant plants, often capped at $3,000 to $4,500 for residential properties.
Under the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO), projects between 1,000 and 2,500 sq ft must include at least 75% low-water-use plants and limit turf to less than 25% of the total area to comply with Tier 1 standards.
Professional design fees in the Bay Area typically range from $1,932 to $7,253 for a standard residential project. High-end custom plans involving complex hardscaping or 3D modeling can exceed $15,000.
📊Our Methodology
How we collect dataAggregated from 5+ verified web sources and cost databases
Licensed contractor estimates and regional cost guides
Government construction and labor statistics
Community-reported project costs and reviews
Last data collection: 3 weeks ago. Updates run weekly. All costs in USD.
About this data
Cost figures are estimates synthesized from public market data using AI research and refreshed regularly. Real project costs vary by scope, materials, contractor, and site conditions. Always get verified quotes from licensed contractors for your specific project.
Spotted bad data? Let us know — we'll review and update.