Clearwater lawn care, pavers & coastal landscaping

Across the Memorial Causeway, salt is the deciding factor. For Clearwater Beach, Island Estates and Sand Key, UF/IFAS points to salt-tolerant zoysia matrella cultivars or, in full sun, seashore paspalum; near the seawall, Florida-friendly beds often beat turf. St. Augustine copes with some salt, but not constant spray. Barrier-island yards also need a storm plan, and our hurricane prep checklist covers what to do before June.

On the mainland, lawns are mostly St. Augustine on sandy soil: Floratam where sun is strong, shade-tolerant cultivars under mature trees. Skycrest and Imperial Park lots are roomy, which helps, since there's space for beds that shrink the irrigated turf. Every visit we mow at the height your grass needs, edge, blow and keep clippings out of the street and storm drains. See our lawn care program for what a visit includes.

As of October 2026, City of Clearwater customers follow a once-a-week schedule under SWFWMD's order, which runs through March 31, 2027:

• Wednesday: even house numbers (or street names A–M).
• Thursday: odd numbers, street names N–Z and mixed or missing addresses.
• Hours: midnight–4 a.m. or 8 p.m.–midnight; under an acre, one window only.

Hand watering and drip for shrubs, gardens and other non-turf plants is allowed any day before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., and reclaimed water can run any day before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. New sod gets 30 days of daily watering, then three set days a week through day 60. Violations can be cited without a warning. Clearwater's fertilizer restriction runs June 1–September 30; we coordinate any feeding with licensed partners. For how Pinellas and Hillsborough rules compare, see our watering guide.

Projects follow the housing. Around Harbor Oaks, brick-tone walkways and period-appropriate beds suit the restored historic homes. In Skycrest, a 1950s ranch renovation is a natural moment to swap original concrete for pavers and reshape tired foundation plantings. Countryside and Coachman Ridge yards suit pool decks, paver patios and privacy plantings, while Clearwater Beach, where older homes are steadily being replaced by new ones, calls for salt-resistant materials and drainage that sheds water fast.

Whatever the neighborhood, we grade hardscape 1–2% away from the house, build a compacted base in lifts and sweep in polymeric joint sand only when the forecast is dry. Planning something bigger? Our paver planning guide walks through base, edging and HOA questions.

Clearwater takes paver aprons seriously enough to have a dedicated form, the Brick Paver Driveway right-of-way permit. The apron is built to Engineering Detail #113 and inspected twice (rough and final), and the homeowner is responsible for maintaining it, including replacing it if the City ever has to dig it up. Allow about seven business days, and note that water meters can't sit inside the driveway.

Trees are protected from 4 inches in diameter, along with palms that have at least 10 feet of clear trunk, and removals carry replacement requirements. For patios, irrigation and fences, check with Planning & Development before work begins; we confirm current requirements with you. Some “Clearwater” mailing addresses are unincorporated Pinellas, where County rules and a watering split at SR 580 apply, so we verify before scheduling any tree trimming or paver job.