Landscaping in Chico, CA
Yard makeovers, lawn removal, drip irrigation, pavers, walkways, gravel and planting, built for Chico's hot, dry summers and wet winters. One crew, one written scope, one fixed price.
Landscaping built for how Chico weather actually behaves
Chico yards take a beating from both ends of the year. July and August highs average in the mid-90s, and many afternoons run well past 100. Then most of the year's rain falls between late October and April, often in a few heavy storms. A yard that looks good in May can be a dry, patchy lawn by August and a muddy low spot by January.
CCB Construction is a residential construction and remodeling contractor based in Chico, and landscaping is work our own crew does, as a standalone job or as part of a larger remodel. Tyler Carlisle runs every job himself, from the walkthrough to the final cleanup. We plan around three things: where the water goes, how much water the yard needs, and how much upkeep you want to do.
What we build
- Full front and backyard makeovers, from clearing and grading to the finished planting.
- Lawn removal and replacement with drought-tolerant planting, decomposed granite, gravel or mulch beds.
- Drip irrigation, sprinkler repairs and conversions, and smart controllers.
- Paver patios, walkways and stepping-stone paths.
- Raised beds, borders and edging.
- Grading and drainage fixes so water moves away from the house instead of toward it.
- Planting: shrubs, perennials, shade trees and screening plants suited to the Sacramento Valley.
- Fire-smart yards in Paradise, Magalia and other foothill areas, with clear space next to the house.
- Yard cleanups and refreshes before a home goes on the market.
Lawn removal and water-wise yards
Lawns are the thirstiest part of most Chico yards. Replacing some or all of a lawn with drought-tolerant plants on drip irrigation can cut outdoor water use a lot and still look finished. The work has to be done in the right order: kill or strip the turf, fix the grade, convert the sprinkler lines to drip, lay out beds and paths, plant, and then cover the soil so weeds don't take over.
Plants that handle Chico summers well include many California natives and Mediterranean plants, such as manzanita, ceanothus, salvias, lavender, rosemary, penstemon, deer grass and other ornamental grasses. We group plants by water need so one drip zone doesn't drown some plants while others dry out. Cal Water, which serves most of Chico, has offered conservation rebates for things like lawn replacement and smart irrigation controllers over the years. Programs change, so check Cal Water's current rebates before work starts, because some require approval before the lawn comes out.
Drainage comes first
Many yards in and around Chico have heavy clay soil that drains slowly. When a yard is graded toward the house, or downspouts dump right next to the foundation, winter storms leave standing water against the slab or in the crawlspace. Before we lay pavers or plant anything, we check the grade and where the roof water goes. Fixes range from re-sloping soil away from the house, to extending downspouts, to adding a gravel swale or a French drain that carries water to a better spot. Pavers and patios get a compacted base and a slight slope so they shed water instead of settling.
Fire-smart landscaping in the foothills
In Paradise, Magalia, Forest Ranch, Cohasset and other foothill areas, landscaping is part of protecting the house. State law already requires defensible space around homes in fire hazard areas. In August 2026 the State Board of Forestry adopted emergency "Zone 0" rules for the first five feet around a home. They take effect only after state review, then phase in over several years, and they apply in State Responsibility Areas and in local Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The direction is clear either way: no bark mulch, wood chips or dead plant material right next to the house, no combustible fence attached to the house, and gravel, pavers or bare soil in that first five feet.
We build yards that work with those rules: hardscape and gravel next to the house, well-spaced, low-growing plants farther out, and trees kept back from roofs and eaves. We check whether your parcel falls in a mapped fire hazard zone and plan to the rules that apply.
Trees, utilities and permits
Most yard work needs no building permit, but a few things do need a call first. We call 811 to have underground utilities marked before any digging. If a tree sits in the strip between the sidewalk and the street, it may be a City street tree, and the City of Chico's street tree program should be contacted before it is pruned or removed. Retaining walls, larger structures and some electrical work for lighting can need permits, and we confirm with the City of Chico Building Division inside city limits, or the county outside it, and handle it when one is required.
What drives the cost of a landscaping job
We give a fixed price in writing after a walkthrough. The main factors are:
- Size of the area and how much has to be removed, such as old lawn, concrete, stumps or overgrown shrubs.
- Grading and drainage work.
- Hardscape. Pavers and walkways cost more per square foot than gravel or mulch beds.
- Irrigation. A full drip conversion costs more than repairing the system you have.
- Plant size. Larger container plants and trees cost more but fill in sooner.
- Access. Tight side yards mean more hand work.
How a landscaping job runs with us
First, a walkthrough of the yard, the grade, the sprinkler system and where the water goes. Second, a written scope with a fixed price that lists removal, grading, irrigation, hardscape and planting. Third, the work, in order: removal, grading and drainage, irrigation lines, hardscape, then planting and cover. Fall and early spring are the best times to plant here, because roots get established before summer heat. Fourth, a final walkthrough, where we set the controller with you and show you how the zones work.
Questions people ask
What is the best time of year to landscape in Chico?
Fall and early spring are the best times to plant, because new plants root in before the summer heat. Hardscape like pavers, walkways and drainage work can be done most of the year, though heavy winter rain can delay grading.
Can you remove my lawn and replace it with something low-water?
Yes. We remove the turf, fix the grade, convert the sprinklers to drip, and install drought-tolerant plants with gravel, decomposed granite or mulch. Check Cal Water's current rebates first, since some programs need approval before the lawn is removed.
Do you fix drainage problems and standing water?
Yes. We re-grade soil away from the house, extend downspouts, and add swales or French drains where needed. We look at drainage before any landscaping goes in.
Can landscaping be part of a bigger remodel?
Yes. We often do yard work alongside decks, exterior paint, stucco and roofing, or as part of getting a house ready to sell, all under one scope and one schedule.
Related work
Where we work
Chico and the rest of Butte, Yuba, Sutter, Shasta and Sacramento counties, including:
- Home remodeling in Oroville
- Home remodeling in Paradise
- Home remodeling in Durham
- Home remodeling in Magalia
- Home remodeling in Gridley
- Home remodeling in Yuba City
- Home remodeling in Marysville
- Home remodeling in Redding
- All areas we serve
Start a project
Tell us about the job, add a couple of photos if you have them, and we will reach out within one business day to set up a walkthrough. You get a written scope and a fixed price before anything is scheduled.