Skip to content

Division 1 — Generally›Chapter 33›Article 56 — MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

§ 33-1085. Mechanical equipment and devices.

Escondido Zoning Code · 2026-05 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Escondido

  • (a) Screening of mechanical equipment. The screening of roof-mounted, ground-mounted, or wall-mounted mechanical equipment and devices is required in all zoning districts at the time of new installation or replacement.

    • (1) Roof-mounted mechanical equipment and devices.

      • (A) Mechanical equipment, including, but not limited to, air conditioning, heating, tanks, ducts, elevator enclosures, cooling towers, or other similar equipment, shall be adequately screened from view from surrounding properties, adjacent public streets, and on-site parking areas. Screening shall be accomplished with mechanical roof wells recessed below the roof line, by solid and permanent roofmounted screens, use of parapet walls, or building design integration and

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/ES4926 on 2026-05-23

City of Escondido, CA § 33-1085

ESCONDIDO CODE

§ 33-1085

concealment by portions of the same building or other structure. Alternative methods for screening may include the consolidation and orientation of devices towards the center of the rooftop with enclosure and the use of neutral color surfaces or color paint matching. Chain link fencing with or without wooden/ plastic slats is prohibited.

  • (B) Any under-roof or wall-mounted cables, raceway, conduit, or other device connection to support roof-mounted assemblies is subject to section 33-1085(a)(3).

  • (C) All roof appurtenances and screening devices shall be architecturally integrated with construction and appearance similar to and compatible with the building on which the equipment is placed to the satisfaction of the director.

  • (2) Ground-mounted mechanical equipment and devices.

    • (A) All ground-mounted mechanical equipment, including but not limited to heating and air conditioning units and swimming pool and spa pumps and filters, shall be completely screened from view from surrounding properties and adjacent public streets by a solid wall or fence or shall be enclosed within a building or electrical/service room. Depending on the location, height, and length of any wall or fence used for screening purposes, landscaping shall be used to the extent practicable to shield and obscure the wall or fence. Alternative methods for screening equipment from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties may include the placement of equipment in locations where buildings serve the purpose of screening or any other method approved by the director. Chain link fencing with or without wooden or plastic slats is prohibited.

    • (B) In locations where ground-mounted mechanical equipment is completely screened from surrounding properties and adjacent to public streets, but visible on-site, the ground-mounted mechanical equipment shall be surrounded by sight-obscuring landscaping, enclosed, or painted with neutral colors that are compatible with structures and landscaping on the property.

    • (C) Screening shall be maintained in good condition at all times. Landscaping used as screening shall provide a dense, year-round screen.

  • (D) Structural, design, and/or landscaping plans for any required screening under the provisions of this section shall be approved by the director and the building official.

  • (3) Wall-mounted mechanical devices.

    • (A) Wall-mounted mechanical and electrical equipment, that are larger than 36 inches in height or width shall be completely screened from the public right-ofway, adjacent properties, and on-site parking areas, or shall be enclosed within a building or electrical/service room.

    • (B) Minor wall-mounted mechanical and electrical equipment, such as small generators, utility meters, or junction boxes, that are 36 inches in height and width or less, shall be screened to the maximum extent practicable through the use of building design integration and concealment, enclosure, or surface color

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/ES4926 on 2026-05-23

City of Escondido, CA § 33-1085

ZONING

§ 33-1086

paint matching and be screened by walls or fences or sight-obscuring landscaping. Chain link fencing with or without wooden/plastic slats is prohibited.

  • (4) General screening.

    • (A) All exterior wall-mounted cables, raceway, conduit, or other device connection to support any roof-mounted, ground-mounted, or wall-mounted mechanical devices, shall be painted to match the color of the building wall or surface on which they are mounted and shall be sited to minimize the appearance or be in a location that is reasonably compatible and in harmony with the architectural styling and detailing of the building. Additional wall or landscaping screening may be required to the satisfaction of the director.

    • (B) Structural, design, and landscaping plans for any required screening under the provisions of this section shall be approved by the director and the building official.

  • (5) Exceptions to screening requirements. Where it can be clearly demonstrated that the exterior mechanical equipment is not visible from any surrounding properties, adjacent public streets, and on-site parking areas, the director may waive the screening requirements of this section. Furthermore, the following mechanical equipment and devices will be fully or partially exempt from the foregoing screening requirements of this section, but may be regulated separately by some other local, state, or federal law:

    • (A) Electric vehicle charging support systems.

    • (B) Electric generating facilities, including solar photovoltaic systems.

    • (C) Communication facilities, including satellite antennas.

    • (D) Heavy industrial uses where the mechanical equipment itself is the main focus of the use, and the size or scale of the equipment prohibits full screening (such as concrete batching plants or certain other large-scale manufacturing uses). The director may require partial screening measures (such as solid fencing or landscape screening) as appropriate and on a case-by-case basis, to minimize the visual effects of the neighborhood to surrounding properties and adjacent streets.

  • (Ord. 2021-10, § 5, 10-27-21; Ord. No. 2018-20, § 7, 11-28-18)

Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.

Ask AI about this code
▸ Contents — Escondido Zoning Code
Escondido Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 6
  2. Division 2 — Routing
  3. Division 2 — Weed and Rubbish Abatement Program
  4. ▸ Division 1 — Generally
    Overview
    1. § 11-53. Created and established.
    2. § 11-54. Purpose.
    3. § 11-55. Membership.
    4. § 11-56. Members in classified service and subject to civil se…
    5. § 11-57. Personnel to obey fire chief and rules and regulation…
    6. § 11-63. Appointment; tenure.
    7. § 11-64. Qualifications.
    8. § 11-65. Status of employment.
    9. § 11-66. General authority.
    10. § 11-67. To perform duties prescribed by city manager.
    11. § 11-68. To aid enforcement of ordinances, report violations.
    12. § 11-69. Duty to promulgate and enforce rules, regulations for…
    13. § 11-70. Authority, duty to inspect buildings, premises and or…
    14. § 11-71. Right of entry to make inspections.
    15. § 11-72. Duty to investigate fires, maintain records.
    16. § 11-73. Duty to preserve order at fires.
    17. § 11-74. Provide instruction for department in first aid, etc.
    18. § 11-75. Duty to call fire drills; purpose of drills.
    19. § 11-76. Responsible for conduct of and property of department.
    20. § 11-77. Duty to recommend disciplinary action.
    21. § 11-78. Duty to make reports; contents.
    22. § 11-79. To submit annual budget.
    23. Chapter 20
    24. Chapter 32
    25. ▸ Chapter 33
      Overview
      1. § 33-1313. Penalty provisions.
      2. Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
      3. Article 2 — OPEN SPACE AND HAZARDOUS LANDS GENERALLY
      4. Article 3 — OPEN SPACE (OS) ZONE
      5. Article 4 — FLOOD PLAIN (FP) OVERLAY ZONE
      6. Article 5 — OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
      7. Article 6 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
      8. Article 9 — ANIMAL OVERLAY (AO) ZONE
      9. Article 11 — (RESERVED)
      10. Article 13 — (RESERVED)
      11. Article 16 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
      12. Article 18 — SPECIFIC PLAN (S-P) ZONE
      13. Article 19 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (P-D) ZONE
      14. Article 24 — (RESERVED)
      15. Article 25 — PARKING OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL Z…
      16. Article 26 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
      17. Article 27 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY
      18. Article 30 — HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL OVERLAY (H-C-O) ZONE
      19. Article 31 — SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT (S-T-P) OVERLAY ZONE
      20. Article 32 — BED AND BREAKFAST FACILITIES
      21. Article 33 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
      22. Article 34 — COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS
      23. Article 35 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING
      24. Article 36 — CARGO CONTAINER RESTRICTIONS
      25. Article 37 — PUBLIC ART
      26. Article 38 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
      27. Article 39 — OFF-STREET PARKING
      28. Article 40 — HISTORICAL RESOURCES
      29. Article 41 — SENIOR HOUSING
      30. Article 42 — ADULT BUSINESSES
      31. Article 43 — ABANDONED SERVICE STATIONS
      32. Article 44 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
      33. Article 45 — MOBILEHOME PARKS
      34. Article 46 — TRAVEL TRAILER PARKS
      35. Article 47 — ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
      36. Article 48 — RELOCATION OF BUILDINGS
      37. Article 49 — AIR SPACE CONDOMINIUM AND COMMUNITY APARTMENT PRO…
      38. Article 52 — FREEWAY SIGN CONTROL
      39. Article 55 — GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL
      40. ▸ Article 56 — MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
        Overview
        1. § 33-1070. Purpose.
        2. § 33-1071. Prohibitions.
        3. § 33-1072. Minimum lot area to be preserved.
        4. § 33-1073. Lot area for public buildings and utility buildings…
        5. § 33-1074. Minimum lot area where portion taken for public use.
        6. § 33-1075. Permitted structures in excess of height limit.
        7. § 33-1076. (Reserved)
        8. § 33-1077. Minimum yard areas to be preserved.
        9. § 33-1078. Through lots to have two front yards.
        10. § 33-1079. Permissible coverage of required rear yard.
        11. § 33-1080 as required by the front or side setback requirement…
        12. § 33-1080. Fences, walls and hedges.
        13. § 33-1081. Fencing design criteria.
        14. § 33-1083 ==> picture [349 x 423] intentionally omitted <==
        15. § 33-1082. Separation walls.
        16. § 33-1083. General fence and wall provisions.
        17. § 33-1084. Panhandle lots permitted.
        18. § 33-1085. Mechanical equipment and devices.
        19. § 33-1086. Utilities.
        20. § 33-1087. Minor public utility structures—Setback encroachmen…
        21. § 33-1088. Condominium or other independent forms of conversio…
      41. Article 57 — MISCELLANEOUS USE RESTRICTIONS
      42. Article 58 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  5. Division 1
  6. Division 2 — Variances and Administrative Adjustments
  7. Division 3 — Nonconforming Uses and Structures
  8. Division 4 — Amendments and Zone Changes
  9. Division 5 — Reasonable Accommodation
  10. Division 6 — Public Hearings, Notices, Fees and Appeals
  11. Division 7 — Enforcement and Penalties
  12. Division 8 — Plot Plans
  13. Division 9 — Zoning Administrator

GoCodebook provides public access, search, citation, multilingual explanation, and practical interpretation of legally adopted building regulations. It is not a substitute for the official ICC or California code publications.