Resources
Straight answers on what it actually takes to remodel a Bay Area backyard — the codes, the materials, and the decisions that matter.
MWELO is California's state model landscape ordinance: if your project is big enough to need a permit, it sets the water budget your design must fit inside.
7 min read
Bay Area lawn removal rebates run through BAWSCA, Valley Water, and EBMUD, with one shared rule: get written approval before you remove a single square foot of turf.
7 min read
A working plant palette for Santa Clara Valley backyards: coast live oak, toyon, manzanita, sages, buckwheats, deergrass, and sedges that handle valley clay.
6 min read
Artificial turf and drought-tolerant planting both end the lawn-watering era, but they differ sharply on heat, habitat, upkeep, and rebate eligibility.
6 min read
California's 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards took effect January 1, 2026, with new requirements for residential pool and spa heating. Here is how the rules shape a backyard project today.
7 min read
A South Bay lot rarely gives you room for both a full pool and a properly sized spa. Here's how homeowners in San Jose, Santa Clara and the surrounding cities decide between a pool, a spa, or a phased plan that does both.
7 min read
A small yard can absolutely hold a pool — if the shape, deck, and planting all work together. Here's how plunge pools, lap pools, and built-in features make compact Bay Area lots feel larger than they are.
7 min read
California's pool safety law, plus a federal drain-cover rule, shape how every residential pool and spa must be built. Here is the up-to-date framework without the legalese.
7 min read