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Baldwin Park is a city of about 72,000 people in the central San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, next to the San Gabriel River and the 10 Freeway.
Landscaping services in Baldwin Park
What to know before you hire in Baldwin Park
Permit: Ordinary planting, mulch and mowing need no permit. A building permit is required only for retaining walls over 3 feet tall, measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. Front-yard fences and walls need Planning Division approval first, with a site plan. Baldwin Park's water-efficient landscape rules (the city's version of the state MWELO law) apply when a landscape project of 500 sq ft or more is new, or 2,500 sq ft or more is rebuilt, and it needs a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review. Permit fees were not found.
- In R-1, R-G and R-3 zones, at least 50 percent of the front yard between the street and the house must be fully landscaped. The rest can only be used for walking and driving access. At least 20 percent of the whole lot must be landscaped.
- Street-side yards on corner lots also need at least 50 percent fully landscaped.
- The owner must maintain all landscaping, including the parkway strip: watering, pruning, fertilizing and replacing dead plants.
- Shrubs, flowers, plants and hedges may not be taller than 3 feet under the city's general landscape standards.
- Solid walls, fences or hedges in the required front yard are limited to 3 feet. Open fences like wrought iron can reach 5 feet. Side and rear yards allow up to 6 feet.
- Chain link, vinyl or plastic, corrugated metal, electrified fences and barbed or razor wire are prohibited as fence materials, with some exceptions.
- Under the prescriptive path for projects of 2,500 sq ft or less, turf can be no more than 20 percent of the residential landscape area, no turf on slopes steeper than 1 foot of rise per 4 feet, at least 3 inches of mulch, and compost worked into the soil.
- Valley County Water District: no watering from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., none for 48 hours after measurable rain, no runoff onto the street, and fix leaks within 7 days of notice. The district is in a Stage 1 water supply emergency.
What holds up in Baldwin Park
Baldwin Park has hot, dry summers and mild winters. The average July high is 89 degrees, and the record high is 118. Most rain falls in winter, about 18 inches a year by one realty estimate.
- Drought-tolerant front yard conversion. The city caps turf at 20 percent of new residential landscape area on small projects, and rebates may help pay for turf removal.
- Smart irrigation controllers and drip conversion. Watering is limited by time of day, and some rebates exist for weather-based controllers.
- Mulch and low-water planting beds. The city's prescriptive rules call for a 3 inch mulch layer and plants that need little summer water.
- Open-style front fences and low walls. Solid front walls max out at 3 feet, but open fences like wrought iron can go to 5 feet.
- Parkway upkeep. The owner is responsible for the parkway strip in front of the house.
- Lawn mowing and yard cleanups. Hot summers and year-round growth keep lawns and hedges needing regular care.
Questions Baldwin Park homeowners ask
Who is my water provider in Baldwin Park?
The city lists three: Valley County Water District, San Gabriel Valley Water Company and Valley View Mutual Water Company. It depends on your address, so check your water bill or call the utility. Valley County's number is 626-338-7301.
When can I water my lawn?
If Valley County Water District serves you, do not water from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and not for 48 hours after measurable rain. Do not let water run into the street. Other providers may have their own rules, so check your bill.
Are there rebates for removing my lawn?
Regional SoCal Water$mart rebates for turf replacement exist, and amounts depend on your water agency and available funding. Apply and get approval before you remove grass. Use the Estimate Your Rebate tool on the SoCal Water$mart site to see your amount.
Can I get a rebate for a smart sprinkler controller?
SoCal Water$mart lists a weather-based irrigation controller rebate, and San Gabriel Valley Water Company says it offers one to residential customers. Amounts change, so confirm with your provider first.
Do I need a permit to redo my front yard?
Plants, mulch and irrigation on a small job usually do not need a building permit. A front fence or wall needs Planning Division approval, and a retaining wall over 3 feet tall needs a building permit. Larger projects that need a permit or design review must follow the city's water-efficient landscape rules.
How much of my front yard must be landscaped?
In R-1, R-G and R-3 zones, at least half of the front yard between the street and the house must be fully landscaped. Paved areas there are only for walking and driving access.
How tall can my front yard fence or wall be?
Solid walls, fences and hedges in the required front yard max out at 3 feet. Open fences like wrought iron can go to 5 feet. Side and rear yards allow up to 6 feet. Chain link and vinyl are not allowed.
What do I do with yard waste?
California requires organic waste to be kept out of the trash, and the city says it is still setting up an organics collection program. No start date is posted. Check the city's Organics Recycling page or call Waste Management at 800-266-7551 for what to do now.
Areas we serve
Baldwin Park and nearby: Irwindale, West Covina, Covina, La Puente, El Monte, South El Monte, Azusa. See the service area