Landscapers in
Santa Barbara, CA
46 landscapers listed in Santa Barbara
Landscaping professionals in Santa Barbara create stunning outdoor spaces with services including lawn installation, hardscaping, irrigation, and garden design. Find experienced landscapers who understand Santa Barbara's local climate and soil conditions.
Landscapers in Santa Barbara at a glance
- 46 landscapers are listed in Santa Barbara, CA on Ratedeed.
- 27 of the 28 listings shown here include a phone number you can call directly.
- Listings cover 7 ZIP codes in and around Santa Barbara: 93101, 93103, 93105, 93108, 93109, 93110, 93111.
Landscapers elsewhere in California: San Diego (124), Sacramento (88), Fresno (53), Bakersfield (49), San Jose (43), Escondido (42)
Homes and landscapers in Santa Barbara: the local numbers
Housing in Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara has about 39,204 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1965, 11 years older than the California median of 1976.
- 74% of homes were built before 1980 and 42% before 1960; 4% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $1,570,800.
- 40% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 60% are rented.
- 46% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (64% of homes), followed by electricity (29%).
- The median home has 4.4 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $2,413 a month.
- That makes Santa Barbara's housing among the older stock in the country: the typical U.S. home was built in 1980.
- Home values run 114% above the California median of $734,700.
- Most occupied homes here are rented (60%), so tenants should get their landlord's approval before hiring anyone for repairs or alterations.
46% of Santa Barbara's homes are single-family detached houses, the homes most likely to have their own yard to maintain.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (Santa Barbara, CA).
Landscapers workforce in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA area
- Median hourly wage
- $21.74
- People employed
- 2,470
- In the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers earned a median of $21.74 an hour ($45,230 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $17.30–$28.04.
- About 2,470 people work in this occupation in the metro area.
- That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 2.01).
- These are what workers earn, not what landscapers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers).
Climate in Santa Barbara and what it means for landscapers
- The average temperature in Santa Barbara is 59°F; summer afternoons average 73°F and winter nights 42°F.
- It gets about 18 inches of precipitation a year.
- There are about 4 nights a year at or below freezing and about 1 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 2,374 heating degree days a year against 187 cooling degree days.
Santa Barbara is dry, with about 18 inches of precipitation a year, so drought-tolerant plants and efficient drip irrigation make a big difference to water use.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport station USW00023190 (11.2 km from the city centre).
Top Landscapers in Santa Barbara
Listings include contact details and service areas. Check licensing with your state board before hiring.
Showing 28 of 46. See every listing in Santa Barbara
More landscapers elsewhere in California
Listed in other California cities, not in Santa Barbara.
Licensing and consumer protection in California
Check that any landscaper you hire is licensed and insured before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who regulates this trade
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Verify a licence on the official register →Insurance and workers' compensation
$1 million general liability minimum. Workers' compensation is mandatory for any contractor with employees. Bond of $25,000 required for licensure (increased under SB 607).
Mechanic's lien protection
California has one of the strictest lien regimes in the country. Preliminary 20-day notices must be sent within 20 days of starting work. Mechanics liens must be filed within 90 days after project completion (or 60 days after a notice of completion is recorded). Unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can place liens on your property even if you've paid your general contractor in full. Always collect lien waivers from all parties before making final payment.
What catches homeowners out in California
California's CSLB license verification is critical — always check a contractor's license number at cslb.ca.gov and confirm it is active and in good standing. California law requires a $25,000 contractor surety bond on every licensed contractor as a consumer protection backstop. For projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined under Business & Professions Code § 7048), a valid CSLB license is legally required. Unlicensed contractors face criminal misdemeanor charges, and homeowners who hire them forfeit key statutory protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
How much do landscapers earn in the Santa Barbara area?
In the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers earned a median of $21.74 an hour ($45,230 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $17.30–$28.04. About 2,470 people work in this occupation in the metro area. That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 2.01). These are what workers earn, not what landscapers charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How old are homes in Santa Barbara?
The typical home in Santa Barbara was built in 1965, and 74% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $1,570,800. 46% of Santa Barbara's homes are single-family detached houses, the homes most likely to have their own yard to maintain. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
What should I know about Santa Barbara's climate before hiring landscapers?
Santa Barbara is dry, with about 18 inches of precipitation a year, so drought-tolerant plants and efficient drip irrigation make a big difference to water use. The average temperature in Santa Barbara is 59°F; summer afternoons average 73°F and winter nights 42°F. It gets about 18 inches of precipitation a year. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
How much does landscaping cost in Santa Barbara?
Landscaping costs in Santa Barbara range from $50–$150 per visit for basic maintenance to $2,500–$12,000+ for comprehensive design and plantings. Hardscaping projects tend to be the most expensive.
What landscaping services are available in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara homeowners have access to a wide range of landscaping services including lawn installation and maintenance, tree and shrub planting, irrigation systems, hardscaping (patios, walkways, retaining walls), outdoor lighting, landscape design, and seasonal cleanup. Many contractors in Santa Barbara also offer specialized services like drainage solutions, sod installation, and xeriscaping.
Do I need a permit for landscaping in Santa Barbara, CA?
Most basic landscaping in Santa Barbara doesn't require a permit, but projects involving retaining walls over a certain height, irrigation systems connected to city water, grading that affects drainage, or tree removal may require permits. Contact the Santa Barbara building department for permit requirements. Check with your local building department before starting any major landscaping project in Santa Barbara.
How do I find a landscaper near Santa Barbara?
On Ratedeed, you can browse landscapers serving Santa Barbara who specialize in everything from lawn maintenance to complete outdoor transformations. Look for professionals experienced with Santa Barbara's local climate and soil conditions. Read reviews from other Santa Barbara homeowners, request free quotes, and ask for photos of completed projects in the area.
What plants grow best in Santa Barbara's climate?
The best plants for Santa Barbara depend on your specific location, sun exposure, and soil type. Local nurseries and landscapers familiar with Santa Barbara's climate can recommend native and adapted species that thrive with minimal maintenance.
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