Pool & landscape builder in Laguna Beach.

What we build in Laguna Beach

We design and build pools, spas, terraces, retaining walls, drainage systems and fire-wise planting for Laguna Beach homes. Hillside pools here usually need geotechnical and structural engineering, and we coordinate that work as part of one design-build project.

Our services in Laguna Beach: the complete property, custom pools & spas, pool reshaping & remodeling, landscape design, hardscape & outdoor living, planting & irrigation, landscape lighting, drainage, difficult sites & challenging access, large-scale & complex projects, craftsmanship and precision, 3d renderings, pool houses, balconies & decks, pedestal paving systems, artificial turf & putting greens, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, fire features & fire pits, tennis & pickleball courts.

Planning your Laguna Beach project

Requirements depend on the property, jurisdiction and scope. We begin with a site visit, then coordinate the relevant agency review and required submittals as the project develops.

Design review

Laguna Beach has one of the most detailed design review processes in the county. Many projects that change a property's appearance go before city staff or the Design Review Board, and applications include landscaping, grading and drainage plans. We prepare those plans and plan the schedule around the hearings.

Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone

We check the property against the current fire-hazard maps and applicable fuel-modification standards. Required planting, materials, setbacks and ongoing maintenance depend on the site and proposed work.

Coastal development permits

Laguna Beach is a coastal city. Many projects need a coastal development permit, which the city processes under its Local Coastal Program, in addition to building permits.

Hillside engineering

Steep lots commonly require soils reports, engineered retaining walls, caissons or special pool structures. We identify those needs at the complimentary site visit so they are in the budget from day one.

Fire department and water

The Laguna Beach Fire Department handles fire review in the city. Most of the city gets water from the Laguna Beach County Water District, and South Laguna is served by South Coast Water District.

Pool safety (statewide)

When a building permit is issued for a new pool or spa, or to remodel one, at a single-family home, California generally requires at least two qualifying drowning-prevention features. Some two-feature combinations are prohibited, and local rules can add requirements. A qualifying locking safety cover provides a statutory exception for a hot tub or spa. We confirm the applicable combination and any exception with the permitting authority. Source ↗

Pool heating energy rules (statewide)

Since January 1, 2026, new pool heating installations must generally use a qualifying primary heat source, such as a heat pump or solar, under California’s 2025 Title 24 energy standards. Read our pool energy code FAQs.

Water-efficient landscapes (statewide)

New landscapes of 500 square feet or more, or rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more, that need a building permit, plan check or design review must meet California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) or the local version of it. Source ↗

Do you build pools and landscapes in Laguna Beach?

Yes. We design and build pools and landscapes in Laguna Beach, one of Orange County's most challenging and rewarding places to build. Laguna Beach projects often involve steep hillside sites, coastal views, limited construction access, geotechnical and structural engineering, fire-hazard and fuel modification requirements, and the city's design review process. These are exactly the kinds of technically demanding projects we specialize in.

Sources and local agencies

• City of Laguna Beach ↗
• Laguna Beach Fire: Wildfire mitigation and vegetation management ↗
• CAL FIRE: Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps ↗

Local requirements can change. We review the current rules for the property address and proposed scope.