Landscape Architects: There’s Still Time to Weigh in on SBA Size Standards

Proposal seeks to raise the small-business size standard for landscape architecture firms from $9 million to $59 million.

On August 20, the Small Business Administration (SBA) published a proposed rule to increase size standards for 338 industry groups and industries, including landscape architecture firms. SBA has extended the deadline for comments on its proposed changes to November 20, 2026.

SBA is proposing a major increase to the small-business size standard for NAICS 541320, Landscape Architectural Services, from $9 million to $59 million in average annual receipts. The proposed $59 million threshold represents a $50 million, or roughly 556%, increase over the current standard.

According to the most recent ASLA Landscape Architecture Industry Report 2024, the median annual gross revenue for landscape architecture firms was $570,000, with the mean or average annual gross revenue reported at $2.2 million. Further, about sixty-five percent of all landscape architecture firms reported annual gross revenue of less than $1 million. Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau's Statistics of U.S. Businesses (using 2022 data, published 2025) shows the average annual revenue per landscape architecture firm was about $1.15 million. Together, this information clearly demonstrates that increasing the size standard for landscape architecture firms to $59 million in annual receipts does not reflect the economic realities of the profession or the small businesses that comprise it.

If this change is approved, landscape architecture firms currently at or below the current $9 million threshold would face significantly increased competition for federal small-business contracts and set-asides, certain sole-source opportunities, SBA programs, loans, and other small-business benefits.

Before the original deadline, approximately 100 landscape architects and ASLA submitted comments to SBA opposing the proposed increase. With the comment deadline now extended, landscape architects have another opportunity to make their voices heard and explain how the proposed rule could affect their businesses.

If you are a small landscape architecture firm, tell SBA about your concerns with this proposed rule and how the proposed $59 million size standard could impact your business. Landscape architects can review the proposed rule and submit comments.

The deadline to submit comments is November 20, 2026.

REVIEW THE PROPOSED RULE SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS