Newburyport properties ask more of a landscape than most. Salt spray off the Merrimack, Federal-era homes with setbacks and sightlines worth protecting, and marsh-adjacent lots where drainage decides what survives the winter.
We’ve worked on the North Shore since 1984. Leahy Landscaping was named Editors’ Choice for Landscaping Services in the 2026 Best of the North Shore Home Awards.
Enhance your Federal-style home or contemporary estate with pavers and natural stone designs that complement Newburyport’s coastal character.
Extend your living space with custom fire features and outdoor kitchens designed for entertaining against Newburyport’s scenic waterfront backdrop.
Our Tree Deptartment has ISA-certified arborists on staff. Mature trees near the water carry different risks than inland ones: salt uptake, wind load, and root systems working in shallow or sandy soil.
Weather-responsive systems calibrated for coastal drainage, which varies sharply between the downtown lots and the marsh edge.
Historic property work through contemporary installations.
For business owners & homeowners seeking to make a lasting impression on clients and guests.
Most Newburyport homeowners don’t need historic commission approval for landscape work. It’s worth knowing whether you’re the exception before you start.
Newburyport has one local historic district with mandatory design review: Fruit Street.
If your property is there, the Fruit Street Historic District Commission reviews exterior architectural features visible from a public way before a building permit is issued. The Commission does not review interior work, and by its own rules does not consider features that aren’t visible from the public way.
Properties on High Street, Chestnut Street, and elsewhere in Newburyport’s National Register areas are not in a local historic district. National Register listing is largely honorary — it carries no design review for fences, walls, or hardscaping.
If you’re in the Fruit Street district, the process is more manageable than people expect:
Call or email the Commission Chair before you apply. Under the Commission’s own rules, a member will get back to you within 72 hours and tell you whether your project needs review at all. It’s free, and it’s the step most people skip.
Applications are filed with the Office of Planning and Development at 60 Pleasant Street. The fee is $25.
The Commission meets the third Thursday of each month at 7pm in City Hall. Applications must be filed between one and fourteen days before a meeting.
A decision comes within 60 days of filing. A certificate is good for two years.
We’ve worked on properties in historic contexts across the North Shore since 1984. If your project needs review, we’ll help put together the plans and documentation the Commission asks for.
We provide comprehensive commercial landscaping services for Newburyport businesses, including:
Professional landscapers bring expertise in plant selection, design principles, and installation techniques specifically tailored to Newburyport’s unique coastal environment. At Leahy Landscaping, our 40+ years of experience means we understand which plants thrive in local soil conditions, how to address drainage issues common to coastal properties, and how to create outdoor spaces that complement Newburyport’s distinctive architectural styles. Professional landscaping also significantly increases property value – studies show home value can increase by 30% by well-executed landscape investments.
Since 1984, we’ve built our reputation on delivering exceptional quality, transparent communication, and personalized service. While based in Lynn, we have extensive experience with Newburyport’s unique coastal environment and architectural styles. Our team includes professional landscapers, arborists, horticulturists and experienced designers who understand the challenges and opportunities specific to North Shore properties. We pride ourselves on building lasting relationships with our clients through consistent quality and responsive service.
Our design process begins with a complimentary consultation at your Newburyport property. We’ll discuss your vision, budget, timeline, and how you plan to use your outdoor space. Our designers then create a custom plan tailored to your specific needs, incorporating appropriate plants for your site conditions and architectural style. We present detailed design concepts with clear pricing and, once approved, schedule installation with our experienced crew. Throughout the process, we maintain open communication to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Absolutely! We design outdoor kitchens and fire features specifically for Newburyport’s coastal New England climate. For outdoor kitchens, we select appropriate materials and provide proper drainage and winterization features. Our fire pits and fireplaces are constructed with materials that withstand our harsh winter months.
Our winter services for Newburyport properties include snow removal, winter pruning of dormant trees and shrubs, protection of sensitive plants from salt exposure and winter winds, and holiday lighting installation and removal. We also use the winter months for landscape planning and design work, allowing ample time to develop thoughtful plans for spring installation. Many clients appreciate our year-round approach to property care, ensuring their landscape receives appropriate attention through every season
Yes, we offer comprehensive commercial landscaping services including design, maintenance, irrigation systems, and specialized projects like outdoor seating areas, firepits, and fireplaces.
We offer landscape design, landscape maintenance, irrigation installation, fine gardening, and custom outdoor features such as fireplaces and firepits, all tailored coastal environment.
It depends on where you are and what you’re building — and there’s a free way to find out before you spend anything.
Only one part of Newburyport has mandatory design review: the Fruit Street Local Historic District. If your property isn’t in it, no historic commission approval is required for landscape work, regardless of how old your house is or whether it sits in a National Register area.
If you are in the Fruit Street district, the Commission reviews exterior architectural features visible from a public way. A wall along the street frontage is more likely to need a certificate than a patio behind the house, and work that isn’t visible from a public way isn’t reviewed at all.
Rather than guess, call the Commission Chair through the Office of Planning and Development at (978) 465-4400. Under the Commission’s own rules, a member will get back to you within 72 hours and tell you whether your project needs review. There’s no fee and no application required for that answer.
If it does need review: the application fee is $25, the Commission meets the third Thursday of each month, and a decision comes within 60 days.
Nestled along the Merrimack River and the Atlantic coast, Newburyport embodies the essence of classic New England charm.
At Leahy Landscaping, we design luxurious outdoor spaces tailored to Newburyport’s coastal lifestyle—whether it’s a custom stone patio overlooking the Merrimack River or an elegant outdoor kitchen ideal for gathering after a sunny afternoon at Plum Island Beach.
View more of the locations we serve.
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