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Slate stepping-stone path set in golden gravel with river rock borders and fresh mulch beside a home, by Riverside Landscaping

Landscaping, walls and patios in Riva, MD

Walls that hold a slope, patios that fit the rules near the water and lawns that cope with shade, for homes along the South River.

SERVING RIVA, MD

Landscaping for Riva's waterfront and wooded lots.

Riva sits along the South River, where two-lane Riva Road crosses the water on a bridge on its way toward Annapolis. Homes here range from established neighborhoods and waterfront lots to larger newer houses on wooded parcels, and many yards share the same traits: mature trees, ground that falls toward the river or a creek, and soil that moves when a hard rain comes through. We plan walls, patios, beds and lawns around those conditions instead of fighting them.

Projects for Riva properties

A recent Riva job: timber retaining wall

On this Riva property, our team replaced deteriorated sections of an old timber retaining wall and extended the wall to give more support along the property. Proper base preparation and drainage were part of the install. The photos show the old wall before the work and the new timbers stepping along the wooded edge of the lawn. Learn more: Retaining Walls

Before: old, deteriorated timber retaining wall along the wooded edge of a lawn in Riva, MDAfter: new timber retaining wall stepping along the wooded edge of a lawn in Riva, MD, built by Riverside Landscaping

A recent Riva job: flagstone walkway and patio

Our crew built this natural flagstone walkway and patio in Riva, MD from start to finish. The flagstone is laid over a compacted crushed stone base, with a mortared border that keeps the edges locked in place. The photos show the finished patio beside a white picket fence and the walkway edged in timber leading to the house. Learn more: Hardscaping & Patios

Finished natural flagstone patio beside a white picket fence in Riva, MD, built by Riverside Landscaping, with the Riverside Landscaping truck parked behind itNatural flagstone patio beside the house, with the timber-edged flagstone walkway leading to the front door behind it, in Riva, MD, built by Riverside Landscaping
Natural flagstone walkway edged in timber between gravel and the house, leading to the front step in Riva, MD, built by Riverside LandscapingTimber-edged natural flagstone walkway set in gravel, running along the house to a blue front door in Riva, MD, built by Riverside Landscaping

Retaining walls for sloped yards

Where a yard drops toward the woods or the water, a wall can hold the soil back and create level ground you can actually use. We build timber and block walls on a prepared base, with drainage behind them so water does not push the wall out of line.

Patios and walkways

Paver and natural stone patios and walkways built on a compacted base, including paths that tie the house, the lawn and the back of the lot together. Learn more: Hardscaping & Patios

Planting beds for shady lots

Bed cleanups, new shrubs and fresh mulch, with plant choices that suit the shade under mature trees. Learn more: Landscape Design & Installation

Sod and lawn

New sod and lawn renovation where turf has thinned under trees or on a slope, with the soil prepared first. Learn more: Sod & Lawn

Concrete

Concrete patios, walkways, driveways and pads, with removal of the old concrete included. Learn more: Concrete

Working near the South River and its creeks.

Waterfront and near-water lots in Riva come with extra rules. Anne Arundel County's Critical Area covers land within 1,000 feet of tidal water or tidal wetlands, and the 100-foot buffer closest to the shoreline has the strictest limits on clearing, grading and building.

  • Lot coverage. In the Critical Area, patios, walkways and gravel count toward lot coverage, so a new patio has to fit within what the lot allows. Anne Arundel County: Critical Area
  • Buffer work. Cutting vegetation or grading inside the buffer generally needs County approval before work starts. Waterfront Homeowners Guide
  • Slopes. Steep slopes next to the buffer can make the buffer larger, which affects where walls and patios can go.
  • Ask early. Checking with the County before design starts keeps the plan to what can actually be built.

When runoff heads downhill.

  • On sloped lots, water from roofs and driveways can cut channels through beds and wash mulch and soil downhill.
  • Lawns under mature trees often stay damp and thin where water collects and sun is scarce.
  • Downspout extensions, swales, French drains, regrading and retaining walls are the usual fixes. — Drainage & Grading
  • Look up your soil with the USDA Web Soil Survey before planning beds, lawn or drainage work.

Upkeep for Riva homes and neighborhoods.

Recurring maintenance keeps a wooded or waterfront property looking cared for: mowing, edging, mulching, bed cleanup and seasonal cleanups, including the fall leaves that pile up under big trees. HOAs and community associations can also request grounds maintenance and snow management. Learn more: Maintenance Plans · Commercial & HOA Maintenance

Permits and planning in Riva.

Riva is part of Anne Arundel County, so County rules apply to most outdoor projects, on top of the Critical Area rules near the water.

  • Patios. Residential patios do not need a building permit, though a Standard Grading Plan application may apply depending on size and disturbed area. Anne Arundel County: Do I need a permit?
  • Fences. Residential fences on corner lots, or over 6 feet, need a County permit per the same guide. Fences are available on request.
  • Critical Area. To find out whether your lot is in the Critical Area, start with the County's Critical Area page.

Also serving Annapolis, Edgewater and Davidsonville.

Riverside also works across Annapolis, Edgewater and Davidsonville. See all of our service areas.

What our clients say

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Frequently asked questions

Have you done landscaping work in Riva?

Yes. On a Riva property, we replaced deteriorated sections of a timber retaining wall and extended the wall to give more support, with proper base preparation and drainage. Learn more: Retaining Walls

Can I put a patio on a waterfront lot in Riva?

Often, but waterfront lots are usually in the Critical Area, where patios, walkways and gravel count toward lot coverage and work in the 100-foot shoreline buffer generally needs County approval. Check the County's Critical Area page early, and we can plan the patio around what is allowed.

What kind of retaining wall suits a sloped Riva yard?

It depends on how high the wall needs to be, the soil and where the water goes. We build timber and block walls, and every wall gets a prepared base and drainage behind it. Learn more: Retaining Walls

Do you offer recurring lawn maintenance for Riva homes?

Yes. We provide residential maintenance (mowing, edging, mulching, bed cleanup and seasonal cleanups) and offer snow removal. Learn more: Maintenance Plans

How do I get a free estimate in Riva?

Call 443-333-3136 or request a free estimate online. We'll get back to you quickly to schedule it. We're open Monday to Friday 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 7 AM to 3 PM.

Riverside Landscaping is licensed, bonded and insured in Maryland (MHIC #160581).

Riva, let's look at your property.

Call 443-333-3136 or request a free estimate.

Ready to start your project?

Free on-site estimates across Anne Arundel County.

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