Backyard Remodel Cost in San Diego (2025): Pricing, Packages, Permits & Luxury Upgrades
Updated August 2025 — San Diego County
Planning a backyard remodel in San Diego? This is the definitive local playbook: installed pricing, Good/Better/Best packages, paver patio, louvered pergola, outdoor kitchen, fire pit/fireplace, artificial grass & putting greens, drainage & lighting, permits & code, timelines, and a quote checklist—so you can budget once and build it right.
TL;DR — 2025 San Diego Ranges
- Core Entertaining Yard (patio + louvered pergola + kitchen + lighting): typically $75k–$160k.
- Full Backyard Remodel (add fire feature, turf/putting green, drainage, planting): usually $120k–$250k+.
- Premium / hillside / coastal overlays: luxury finishes, long trenching, engineering or ROW tie-ins can push totals $250k–$400k+.
Backyard Packages (Good / Better / Best)
| Package | What’s Included | Typical Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Good — Entertaining Core | Paver patio ($20–$35/sf), louvered pergola (DTC/permit-path), outdoor kitchen (straight island), basic lighting, sleeves for future. | $75k–$120k |
| Better — Entertaining + Comfort | L-shape kitchen, premium pergola features (screens/heaters ready), gas fire pit, turf lawn, drainage upgrades, plant/irrigation refresh. | $120k–$200k |
| Best — Full Luxury Yard | Porcelain/stone patio, engineered pergola, U-kitchen + appliances suite, linear fire feature or fireplace, putting green, seat/retaining walls, designer lighting & audio. | $200k–$400k+ |
Component Pricing (San Diego Installed)
| Component | Typical San Diego Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paver Patio | $20–$35/sf | Pattern/borders, drainage, porcelain upgrade increase cost. See guide. |
| Louvered Pergola (motorized) | $18k–$65k+ | Kit vs. dealer-grade, span/engineering, screens/heaters, electrical. See guide. |
| Outdoor Kitchen | $12k–$80k+ | Layout, appliances, tops, utilities. See guide. |
| Fire Pit (gas) | $3.5k–$12k | Round/square bowl or linear; gas line & media included; seat wall adds cost. |
| Outdoor Fireplace | $12k–$30k+ | CMU or prefab kit, veneer & cap; clearances; optional mantle/TV wall. |
| Artificial Grass (lawn) | $9–$18/sf | Base/depth, turf spec (face weight, pile height), access & seams. |
| Putting Green | $16–$35/sf | Sub-base precision, cups, fringe, undulations, perimeter edging. |
| Retaining/Seat Walls | Varies | Engineering/height/finish drive cost. See wall guide. |
| Drainage | $35–$85/LF | Area drains, trench/slot drains, underdrains; ROW tie-ins permit-dependent. |
| Landscape Lighting | $95–$240/fixture | Fixtures, transformer, wiring; scenes & dimming optional. |
Common Adders & Allowances
- Demo & export: concrete/pavers/soil removal; C&D recycling on permitted scopes.
- Access limits: Hand carry vs. skid steer; hillside lifts.
- Utilities trenching: power/data/gas/water routes; hardscape crossings add cost/time.
- Drainage: channel/area drains, subdrains, permeable pavers in problem zones.
- Pergola add-ons: screens, heaters, fans, lighting, sensors, A/V conduit.
- Finishes: porcelain/stone upgrades, miters/waterfalls, heavy veneers, inlays.
- Engineering/permits: retaining walls, pergola calcs/anchors, ROW connections.
Permits & Code (City of San Diego)
- At-grade patios (pavers/flatwork): Often building-permit exempt for single-family backyards; overlays can change this. Always confirm via the City’s exemptions list and project zoning/overlays.
- Louvered/motorized pergolas (treated as patio covers): City allows ≤ 300 sf projected roof to be permit-exempt for SF/duplex only if the site is not in overlays like Coastal, ESL/steep hillside, PRD/PIRD, or historic. Motorized systems typically still require electrical permits and often structural documentation/evaluation reports. See City IB-206. Patio Covers (IB-206)
- Retaining walls: Permit + engineering when height ≥ 3′ (measured from top of footing) or any surcharge exists (driveways, slopes, nearby foundations). Tiered walls can count as one system. See IB-220. Retaining Wall Permits (IB-220)
- Drain outlets to street (ROW): Curb/gutter tie-ins usually need a Right-of-Way permit; private drains discharging to public drainage also require an Encroachment Maintenance & Removal Agreement (EMRA). Use City standards like D-27 sidewalk underdrain where applicable. ROW Permits · Encroachments in ROW (IB-576) · D-27 Underdrain
- Stormwater: Complete DS-560 on every project and design to the City’s Storm Water Standards Manual (2018) to determine required BMPs/SWQMP. DS-560 · SWSM (2018)
- MWELO (water-efficient landscape): Triggers at ≥500 sf new landscape and ≥2,500 sf rehabilitated landscape areas; follow SDMC §142.0400+ and submit required documentation. SDMC §142.0400 Landscape Regulations
- WUI / Very High Fire Hazard areas: Exterior projections (patio covers/pergolas/decks) and nearby materials must comply with local adoption of CBC/CRC Ch. 7A. Sprinklered homes can require sprinklers beneath exterior projections per SDFD TB FIRE-9-3. VHFHSZ Map · FIRE-9-3
- MEP permits: New gas lines, circuits/transformers, and pool/spa equipment need separate MEP permits/fees. MEP Permits (IB-103)
- Fees & inspections: See City IB-501 (Fees) & IB-120 (Inspections).
Typical Timeline
- Design & selections: 1–3 weeks (site measure, 3D, scope alignment).
- Permitting (if required): 2–8+ weeks depending on scope/overlays.
- Site work: 2–6 weeks for core packages; luxury/full-yard can run 8–12+ weeks.
- Inspections: scheduled between phases (footings/anchors, gas/electrical finals).
Quote Comparison Checklist
- Scope map: Patio square footage, pergola footprint/height, kitchen LF & appliance list, fire feature type, turf/green areas.
- Base & drainage: Base depths/compaction, slope, drains, approved discharge path; permeable where appropriate.
- Utilities: Gas/electrical/water routes, trench lengths, dedicated circuits, shutoffs, cleanouts, sleeves for future A/V.
- Materials: Concrete vs. porcelain pavers, countertop spec, veneer, lighting fixtures (counts & transformer).
- Pergola: engineering/calcs, anchorage detail, finish rating (AAMA 2604/2605), accessories (screens/heaters/fans).
- Permits/HOA: who pulls, fees/inspections included, ROW conditions if any.
- Warranty & schedule: materials + labor, service response, start/finish targets.
Still comparing surfaces? See Concrete vs. Pavers and Stamped Concrete vs. Pavers. Planning a pool? Visit Pool Deck Pavers Cost (San Diego). For driveways, see Paver Driveway Cost. When you’re ready, talk to our San Diego paver installation contractors.
Serving San Diego County: Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Fairbanks Ranch, Oceanside, San Marcos, and more.
FAQs
What does a full backyard remodel cost in San Diego?
Most full remodels land $120k–$250k+ depending on patio size/finish, pergola type, kitchen scope, fire feature, turf/putting green, drainage, and overlays.
Is a louvered pergola worth it?
Yes for shade control and outdoor-room comfort—especially with heaters, fans, and screens. Many require permits/engineering; we handle the package.
What’s the best value patio surface?
Concrete pavers are the sweet spot for value and durability in San Diego. Porcelain pavers offer a modern, low-maintenance upgrade.
How much does a fire pit vs. fireplace add?
Gas fire pits typically cost $3.5k–$12k installed. Outdoor fireplaces typically cost $12k–$30k+ depending on kit/CMU build, veneer, and utility requirements.
Is artificial grass a good idea near a kitchen or fire feature?
Yes—with proper setbacks and heat awareness near fire features, and smart planning around grill grease and cleaning. Putting greens need a precise sub-base and cup layout.
Do I need permits?
Often for louvered pergolas, gas/electrical work, retaining walls, and any right-of-way tie-ins. At-grade patios are often exempt unless overlays apply (Coastal, ESL, historic, floodplain, WUI).
How long does it take?
Core packages often build in 2–6 weeks after approvals. Full luxury yards can run 8–12+ weeks depending on engineering, inspections, and site conditions.