What do City of San Diego permits show for backyard projects?
1,257 City of San Diego permits in 2026 touched landscape and hardscape work, with a median declared valuation of $85,407 (middle half $31,673–$253,123). That skews to large projects and is not a price. San Diego County has 1,324 active C-27 licensees.
San Diego backyard contractor prices: a sourced local guide (2026)
Free and updated Oct 17, 2026. Every number below links to where it came from, so you can check it yourself before you ask for quotes.
Typical price
Use quotes; permitted landscape/hardscape median $85k skews to large projects
Based on these published local price pages:
What City of San Diego permits say (not a price)
Permit “valuation” is the number an applicant writes on a City permit. It often covers a whole project (a house remodel that includes a fence, say), so it is not a price for your job. We show it only as context.
- 1,257 City of San Diego permits in 2026 touched this trade. Median permit valuation $85,407 (middle half $31,673–$253,123) — not a price.
- Median days from permit application to issue: 229.
- 1,324 active CSLB licensees (C27) in San Diego County; median 12.3 years licensed; 58% carry workers’ comp (the rest report no employees).
Sources: City of San Diego permits issued 2026 (data.sandiego.gov); CSLB license master file, Oct 16, 2026.
How to use these numbers
- Get 2–3 written, itemized quotes for the same scope. If one is far below the ranges above, ask what is left out.
- Ask each provider to explain anything above the range: access, size, materials and timing are usually why.
- See what a fair quote includes and questions to ask.
Compare every San Diego trade in one place: San Diego price & provider data hub (free, no signup).