Rancho Santa Fe Outdoor Living & Landscape Design-Build
Updated September 2025 — Rancho Santa Fe (Unincorporated San Diego County)
Written by:
Luke W., Founder & Owner of INSTALL-IT-DIRECT
Luxury Landscape Design & Build Expert • 16+ Years in San Diego
Reviewed by:
Chris MacMillan, General Manager
ICPI Certified • CA CSLB License #947643
Last reviewed: September 2025 · About our process
6,000+ 5-star reviews since 2009 • Fully licensed & insured in California
In Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, The Bridges, Cielo, The Crosby & the Covenant, we design-build complete outdoor environments: paver motor courts & gates, porcelain/paver patios, louvered pergolas or engineered pavilions, outdoor kitchens (gas/electric), retaining/seat walls & hillside terraces, dark-sky lighting, drainage/underdrains, turf & putting greens, planting/irrigation — coordinated with the RSF Art Jury and County permits end-to-end.
Project fit: Minimum project $15k. Typical RSF backyard packages run $120k–$250k+. Whole-property (½–1 acre) plans often range $300k–$1.1M+. Estate-scale (1–2+ acres) may exceed $650k–$1.3M+ based on slopes, engineering, finishes and approvals.
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Key Takeaways
- We handle RSF Art Jury + County permits + DPW right-of-way with one, inspection-ready submittal set.
- Estate-grade builds: motor courts, pavilions/pergolas, kitchens, walls/terraces, dark-sky lighting, drainage, turf/greens.
- Transparent ranges & packages below; line-item quotes with allowances to prevent change-order creep.
Do-This-First — Jurisdiction, Art Jury, Fire/Landform
- Jurisdiction: Most RSF is unincorporated County (PDS Building Services) with RSF Association Art Jury design review. Nearby enclaves (e.g., Senterra/Rancho Pacifica) may be inside the City; we verify up front.
- Art Jury: Landscape/exterior work in the Covenant requires submittal (site plan, elevations, materials, lighting, planting). We align to RSF Regulatory Code + Chapter 42 Landscape.
- ROW: Driveway aprons, curb outlets/underdrains and similar work run through County DPW Encroachment permits; an EMRA may be required when private features remain in ROW.
- WUI & dark-sky: We check Fire Hazard Severity Zones and specify shielded, low-glare fixtures per County light-pollution code; brush-management where required.
- Code cycle: 2022 CA Codes through Dec 31, 2025; 2025 codes effective Jan 1, 2026.
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TL;DR — Typical Rancho Santa Fe Installed Ranges (2025)
- Backyard “Entertaining Core” (patios + pergola + kitchen + lighting + drainage): $120k–$250k+
- Front-of-lot (motor court & gates + entry walk/lighting): $140k–$300k+
- Whole-property (½–1 acre): $300k–$1.1M+ depending on slopes, engineering, finishes & approvals
Access, export/haul, hillside work, utilities and finish tiers drive totals.
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Packages (Good / Better / Best)
| Package | What’s Included | Typical Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Good — Entertaining Core | 1,000–1,800 sf porcelain/paver patios & paths; 12’–16’ pergola; masonry outdoor kitchen (base appliances); low-glare lighting starter; drainage basics; planting/irrigation refresh. | $120k–$240k+ |
| Better — Pavilion + Motor Court | All “Good” + engineered pavilion or 16’–20’ louvered pergola w/ heaters; expanded kitchen; 1,500–3,000 sf paver motor court & gates; seat/retaining walls; upgraded lighting scenes; drainage to lawful outlets. | $250k–$650k+ |
| Best — Resort Estate | All “Better” + secondary pavilion/spa terrace; hillside terraces; long-run lighting/irrigation; premium veneers/caps; orchard/garden zones; Art Jury + County approvals included. | $650k–$1.3M+ |
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Scope Anchors — RSF Big-Ticket Items
| Scope | Typical Range | Notes / Links |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain/Paver Patios & Walks | $35–$70/sf | Porcelain Paver Cost |
| Paver Driveway / Motor Court | $85k–$240k+ (1,500–3,500 sf) | Driveway Cost • ROW/Apron Permits • Motor Courts & Gates |
| Louvered Pergola / Engineered Pavilion | $45k–$150k+ | Louvered Pergola Cost • Patio Cover Cost • Permits |
| Masonry Outdoor Kitchen (Gas/Electric) | $25k–$85k+ | Outdoor Kitchen Cost • Kitchen Permits |
| Retaining/Seat Walls & Terraces | $70–$260/face sf | Retaining Wall Cost • Wall Permits • Hillside Terraces |
| Drainage & Lawful Outlets | $15k–$85k+ | Drainage & Stormwater |
| Low-Glare Lighting (Dark-Sky) | $8k–$40k+ | Outdoor Lighting Guide |
| Artificial Turf / Putting Green | Turf $12k–$45k • Green $8k–$30k+ | Artificial Grass Cost • Putting Green Cost |
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Permits, Art Jury & Right-of-Way — RSF Snapshot
- RSF Association Art Jury — landscape/exterior review in the Covenant (application via portal; site plan, elevations, materials/finishes, lighting/planting plans).
- County of San Diego (PDS) Building — patio covers/pergolas, retaining walls (over 3’ or with surcharge), electrical/gas (kitchens, lighting), plus stormwater notes.
- County DPW Right-of-Way — driveway apron modifications, curb outlets/underdrains, trenching/traffic control; EMRA when private features remain in ROW.
- Dark-sky & WUI — shielded fixtures per County light-pollution code; brush-management and ignition-resistant details where FHSZ applies.
Have IID Handle Art Jury, Permits & ROW
What We File for You (Typical RSF Sets)
RSF Art Jury
- Scaled site plan, elevations/sections, exterior materials/finishes board, lighting (shielding/trespass notes), planting plan & irrigation zones.
- Gate/wall/pilaster details (sight-lines at entries), color/finish schedules.
County PDS Building
- Architectural/structural sheets (pavilions/pergolas; retaining walls with calcs & drainage); electrical/gas one-lines; load calcs; stormwater notes per BMP Design Manual.
County DPW ROW
- Encroachment plans for driveway aprons, sidewalk underdrains/curb outlets; traffic control; EMRA package if required.
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Areas We Serve in & around Rancho Santa Fe
The Covenant, Fairbanks Ranch, The Bridges, Cielo, The Crosby, Del Mar Country Club, Morgan Run, Rancho Pacifica, Senterra, Whispering Palms, Hacienda Santa Fe, Del Rayo Downs, Rancho Farms Estates, Rancho La Cima, The Summit, The River Estates, Rancho Del Lago and nearby enclaves.
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FAQs — Rancho Santa Fe
Do I need RSF Art Jury approval?
Yes. Most exterior/landscape work in the Covenant requires Art Jury approval. We prepare compliant submittals and coordinate reviews.
Who issues building permits?
For most RSF properties: County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS). We handle patio covers/pergolas, retaining walls (over 3’ or with surcharge), electrical/gas permits, and stormwater documentation.
What about driveway aprons or curb outlets?
Those are typically County DPW Right-of-Way (Encroachment) permits. If a private feature remains in ROW, an EMRA may be required.
Do you design to dark-sky and wildfire requirements?
Yes. We specify shielded, low-glare fixtures per County light-pollution codes and coordinate brush-management/WUI details where required.
Can you phase the work?
Yes. We build the drainage/utility backbone first, then patios/structures, then lighting/planting. See our Phased Remodel Roadmap.
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