You purchased a home and then you were told, after the fact, that you had to follow landscaping rules?

Did you have a real estate attorney helping you with this purchase? Did he not advise you of the provisions?

So, what happens if you don’t comply within the 6 months?

I have never heard of anything so controlling.

I would put the house on the market and move somewhere in a free zone.

why don't you consult a landscaper to come out and give you some ideas?

for the grass for dogs, look into a st augustine or the marathon. (if female dogs, the urine will kill the grass) . try to work in some succulents and decomposed granite for low water and low maintenance. if you do some poured concrete or pavers, great. start look at xeriscape ideas on here to see what you like.

Start a backyard ideabook to help you refine your ideas. 6 months will go by in a flash and you should have a plan before you start.

Small-Backyard-Patio-Fire-Pit-Planters-Walls-Project-VIEW-3 · More Info

I'm sure you want some kind of pathway so you can go out the sliding door to your table area. Since you do have a budget, I think you should call someone, give them your ideas and let them go for it.

Spend the week collecting photos in your ideabook. (BTW, we cannot see your ideabook, so you've probably got it set to private.) Then find a landscape architect; use reviews on Houzz to interview several and choose one who can work within your parameters. $15 - $20K is plenty to complete an acceptable landscape for such a small space, and you can always include plans for future additions.

Look for hardscape ideas:

Sunol Landscape · More Info

Outdoor color palettes:

Clinton & Associates | Landscape Architects in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virg · More Info

debora carl landscape design · More Info

Wire Garden Trellis · More Info

Me too, Newport Beach.... lots of great nurseries here. Start by browsing places like Green Thumb (Lake Forest), Roger's Gardens ( Newport, Corona Del Mar), & Armstrong Nurseries & many others for ideas when you have time. Also, your budget sounds realistic for a smaller space. What really eats up the $ is hardscape, not the plants. We spent $40k on our small patio last summer.... most of the money for the stonework & lighting, the plants were just a small insignificant expense in comparison.

MA E, also in so cal. I've done the wood slat fence in my own yard. It's pretty simple and if you use redwood and treat it w/a top coat, it looks great (it's under my name under Orchid Wall)

I think I'd plan to walk the dogs -- agree that an area dedicated to toilet purposes will be wrecked in no time, and they'll be much better citizens if they get some regular exercise.

Otherwise, 45' of width should be plenty to make into several nice areas. The space in front of the windows can be planters and maybe a wall sculpture, for the view, and/or maybe a bench or fire pit to lure you out. Then the left area could have lots of seating more dedicated to eating out/grilling. The right area could have some water play component -- otherwise, it's a bit small for biking, so really only for playing with cars or balls, unless you want to try to maintain grass, which will be an uphill climb. Or I guess you could fit a swingset or the like. (The less permanent you make things, the easier it will be to update or reclaim the space for another adult function later. Or fill with interesting plantings and a few strings of lights.) I guess the dog area would be fenced? gravel or groundcover, or...?

looks like great progress. the corner window/door really opens the room to the yard. Nice.

We're in SoCal too. Bailey's suggestion of Green Thumb, Roger's Gardens and/or Armstrong is good.