# Backyard Remodeling & Outdoor Living in Pasadena, CA [Browser-friendly HTML version](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/website-guide/pages/services/exterior-remodeling/pasadena/index) Source: https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling/pasadena Last modified: 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z Text part: 1 of 1 [Full website text index](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/llms-full.txt) | [Services by city](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/llms/services-by-city-003.txt) | [Previous page](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/llms/pages/services/exterior-remodeling/topanga/index.txt) | [Next page](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/llms/pages/services/exterior-remodeling/south-pasadena/index.txt) --- Image: Side-yard patio with a fire bowl, lounge seating and turf joints at dusk 1. [Home](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/) 1. [Services](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services) 1. [Backyard & Outdoor Living](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling) 1. Pasadena Design · Permit · Build ### Backyard & Outdoor Living in Pasadena We design the whole backyard as one, so patio, kitchen and shade fit together. [Book a Consultation](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/contact-us) [Call 818-300-2393](tel:+18183002393) #### Built for Pasadena Homes We work across a city where two houses on the same street can carry completely different rulebooks: one inside a landmark district, one on a hillside lot with slope limits. Our teams plan around the Arroyo's cobble soils, protected oaks, and driveways built for Model Ts. Before design starts we confirm zoning overlay, tree inventory, and fire-zone status, because those three items shape a pool, ADU, or addition far more than square footage does. Parcels range from compact bungalow lots near the historic districts to large estate grounds in Oak Knoll and the San Rafael Hills. Rear yards are often deep but narrow, with alley or single-drive access. We are a design-build team, which means the people who draw your project are the people who build it. Design, engineering, permits and construction run through one project manager and our own crews, so nothing gets lost in a handoff between a salesperson and a subcontractor. We are licensed, bonded and insured, [CSLB license #1119054](https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/LicenseDetail.aspx?LicNum=1119054) . Permits in Pasadena: Residential permits are issued through the Permit Center of the Building & Safety Division, with entitlements and design review handled inside the same Planning & Community Development Department. Certain projects on lots in the city's Hillside Overlay Districts, including major renovations, require a Hillside Development Permit under Zoning Code Chapter 17.29. Properties inside a landmark district or individually designated need a Certificate of Appropriateness evaluated against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The Tree Protection Ordinance (PMC 8.52) requires a permit before removing protected trees, including native oaks over eight inches in diameter, and northern foothill parcels fall inside a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. Permit details checked September 2026 against [City of Pasadena](https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/permit-center/) . Rules change, so we confirm them again for your parcel. What We Build - Hillside Development Permit packages - Certificate of Appropriateness submittals - Protected-tree preservation plans - Full backyard transformations - Paver patios, driveways and walkways - Outdoor kitchens and BBQ islands - Pergolas, patio covers and shade structures - Fire pits, fire tables and fireplaces - Retaining walls and seat walls - Artificial turf and drought-tolerant planting - Drainage correction and grading - Landscape and architectural lighting - Front yard and curb appeal remodels Local Conditions #### What to Know in Pasadena These local conditions change the scope, the schedule and the budget. 01 Arroyo-side and foothill lots sit on coarse alluvial fan deposits, so excavation for pools and sunken patios often hits cobble and boulder layers that slow digging and raise export costs. 02 The Raymond Fault crosses the southern edge of town, and parcels inside the state-mapped Alquist-Priolo zone need a fault investigation before new habitable structures can be sited. 03 Craftsman-era blocks were platted before cars grew, leaving single-width driveways and detached rear garages that force smaller equipment, hand-dig zones, or crane picks for pool shells. 04 Mature deodar and oak canopy shades many rear yards, which changes pool solar gain, drives root-protection fencing, and limits where a spa or detached unit foundation can land. Areas we serve in Pasadena:Bungalow HeavenMadison HeightsLinda VistaSan Rafael HillsHastings RanchOak Knoll Investment #### What It Costs in Pasadena Real Southern California price ranges, not teaser numbers. ##### Full backyard transformation $50,000 to $250,000+ What moves it: how much hardscape is involved, whether a pool or outdoor kitchen is included, grading and retaining, and the level of lighting and planting ##### Paver patio and hardscape from about $13,000 What moves it: square footage, paver type, base preparation, drainage, and any steps or retaining involved ##### Outdoor kitchen and BBQ island $10,000 to $50,000+ What moves it: counter length, appliance package, countertop material, and whether gas, water and power need to be run a long distance ##### Pergola and shade structure from about $9,500 What moves it: span, material (wood, aluminum or louvered), footing requirements, and integrated lighting or heating ##### Artificial turf from about $9,900 What moves it: area, turf grade, base depth, drainage, and any pet-specific infill Your lot, access and finishes set the price. We walk the site, then show you where every dollar goes. [Get a line-item price for your Pasadena property](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/contact-us) The Process #### How We Work in Pasadena 01 ##### Site Review We measure the yard, check drainage and grade, and find the constraints before design starts. 02 ##### Design & 3D You walk the whole yard in 3D, so layout and materials are settled before we build. 03 ##### Plans & Permits Structures, walls and electrical get drawn and permitted where the work requires it. In Pasadena that submittal goes to City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division. 04 ##### Demo & Grading Old surfaces come out, levels are set and drainage is corrected properly. 05 ##### Build Hardscape, structures, kitchen, features and lighting go in, sequenced by our own crews. 06 ##### Planting & Handover Planting, turf and final detail, then a full walkthrough of the finished yard. Questions #### What Pasadena Homeowners Ask Who issues the permits for this work in Pasadena? City of Pasadena Planning & Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division. Residential permits are issued through the Permit Center of the Building & Safety Division, with entitlements and design review handled inside the same Planning & Community Development Department. Certain projects on lots in the city's Hillside Overlay Districts, including major renovations, require a Hillside Development Permit under Zoning Code Chapter 17.29. Properties inside a landmark district or individually designated need a Certificate of Appropriateness evaluated against the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The Tree Protection Ordinance (PMC 8.52) requires a permit before removing protected trees, including native oaks over eight inches in diameter, and northern foothill parcels fall inside a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. We prepare the drawings, make the submittal and handle plan-check corrections ourselves, so you are not the one chasing plan check. What makes building in Pasadena different? Parcels range from compact bungalow lots near the historic districts to large estate grounds in Oak Knoll and the San Rafael Hills. Rear yards are often deep but narrow, with alley or single-drive access. One local condition that shapes the work: Arroyo-side and foothill lots sit on coarse alluvial fan deposits, so excavation for pools and sunken patios often hits cobble and boulder layers that slow digging and raise export costs. Which parts of Pasadena do you work in? All of it, including Bungalow Heaven, Madison Heights, Linda Vista and San Rafael Hills. Our crews run every job out of our Cahuenga Pass base in Los Angeles, with our own people on site. What does a backyard or outdoor living project cost in Pasadena? Full backyard transformation: generally $50,000 to $250,000+ across Southern California. What moves it is how much hardscape is involved, whether a pool or outdoor kitchen is included, grading and retaining, and the level of lighting and planting. We give line-item pricing after seeing the site rather than quoting a number over the phone. How long does a backyard remodel take? A patio and turf refresh often finishes in three to five weeks. A full transformation with hardscape, an outdoor kitchen, structures and lighting typically runs ten to sixteen weeks, and longer if a pool is part of the same phase. Pavers or poured concrete? Pavers cost more up front but flex with ground movement instead of cracking, and individual units can be lifted and replaced. Poured concrete is cheaper initially, but a crack means cutting out and repouring a section that rarely matches. On most Southern California soil we recommend pavers for anything you will look at every day. Can you fix drainage at the same time? Yes, and on most projects we insist on it. Correcting grade and adding proper drainage while the yard is already open is far cheaper than retrofitting it after new hardscape is down. Do you handle the whole yard in one project? Yes. Design, permits, hardscape, structures, kitchen, lighting and planting run through one team and one project manager, so nothing gets lost between trades. #### More Services in Pasadena [Pool & Spa Remodeling in Pasadena](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/swimming-pool-spa/pasadena) [ADUs & Additions in Pasadena](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/adus-additions/pasadena) [Kitchen, Bath & Interior Remodeling in Pasadena](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/interior-remodeling/pasadena) [Plans, Permits & Design in Pasadena](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/plans-permits/pasadena) [Everything we build in Pasadena](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/service-areas/pasadena) #### Backyard & Outdoor Living Nearby [Backyard & Outdoor Living in South Pasadena](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling/south-pasadena) [Backyard & Outdoor Living in San Marino](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling/san-marino) [Backyard & Outdoor Living in Altadena](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling/altadena) [Backyard & Outdoor Living in Sierra Madre](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling/sierra-madre) [Backyard & Outdoor Living in La Cañada Flintridge](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling/la-canada-flintridge) [Backyard & Outdoor Living in Eagle Rock](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/services/exterior-remodeling/eagle-rock) Planning Guides #### Before You Build in Pasadena Costs, materials and process notes from our own projects. [ADU Construction in Pasadena: Costs, Rules & Design Ideas Pasadena has specific ADU regulations that differ from LA City. Learn what makes Pasadena ADU construction unique and how to navigate the process. Read guide](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/articles/adu-construction-pasadena) [Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Pasadena Homes Pasadena's architectural heritage inspires distinctive outdoor kitchen designs. Explore ideas that complement Craftsman, mid-century, and Mediterranean homes. Read guide](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/articles/outdoor-kitchen-pasadena) [Whole-Home Remodel Sequencing: What to Do First A whole-home remodel done in the wrong order costs 15 to 25 percent more. Here is the correct sequence, from structural and roof through to paint, and why each stage has to precede the next. Read guide](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/articles/whole-home-remodel-sequencing-guide) [Indoor-Outdoor Living Conversions in Southern California A 16-foot multi-slide door runs $18,000 to $45,000 installed. Here is how the full indoor-outdoor conversion works, from structural header to flush threshold to covered patio tie-in. Read guide](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/articles/indoor-outdoor-living-conversion-guide) #### Planning a Backyard in Pasadena? Sit down with your project manager and get an accurate estimate. We call you back within one business day. [Book a Consultation](https://www.remodelyourvibe.com/contact-us) [818-300-2393](tel:+18183002393) Licensed, bonded & insured · [CSLB license #1119054](https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/LicenseDetail.aspx?LicNum=1119054) --- End of text part 1 of 1. This page is complete.