Landscapers in
Santa Monica, CA

In the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, landscaping and groundskeeping workers earned a median of $21.46 an hour ($44,650 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $17.85–$28.57. About 27,860 people work in this occupation in the metro area. That is a lower share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 0.73). 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.

The typical home in Santa Monica was built in 1968, and 73% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $1,755,500. 19% of Santa Monica'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 Monica is dry, with about 15 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 Monica is 62°F; summer afternoons average 74°F and winter nights 48°F. It gets about 15 inches of precipitation a year. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Landscaping costs in Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica 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 Monica also offer specialized services like drainage solutions, sod installation, and xeriscaping.

Most basic landscaping in Santa Monica 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 Monica building department for permit requirements. Check with your local building department before starting any major landscaping project in Santa Monica.

On Ratedeed, you can browse landscapers serving Santa Monica who specialize in everything from lawn maintenance to complete outdoor transformations. Look for professionals experienced with Santa Monica's local climate and soil conditions. Read reviews from other Santa Monica homeowners, request free quotes, and ask for photos of completed projects in the area.

The best plants for Santa Monica depend on your specific location, sun exposure, and soil type. Local nurseries and landscapers familiar with Santa Monica's climate can recommend native and adapted species that thrive with minimal maintenance.