Local zoning · Adelanto

Adelanto — Landscaping and Screening

Landscaping and Screening under the Adelanto local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page explains what Adelanto’s Zoning Code (Title 17) requires for landscaping and screening — what applicants must show on landscape/irrigation plans, how parking, loading and property edges must be screened, and the local rules for fences and walls. The controlling standards live in Chapter 17.60 (Landscaping/Water Conservation), the general development standards (Chapter 17.10), and district development tables (e.g., Chapters 17.20–17.50). Key procedural details (what to submit before permits) are in § 17.60.020.

Note: this page stays inside zoning/planning rules only — building-code requirements (Title 24 / California Building Standards Code) are separate. See California Building Standards Code for those technical standards. (/us/california/building-codes)

What the code requires (quick map)

  • Provide a written and drawn Landscape Design Plan and irrigation plan before building permits are issued — § 17.60.020.
  • Follow Chapter 17.60 water-conservation palettes, turf limits and planting densities (frontage/tree/shrub rules) — § 17.60.010 – § 17.60.080.
  • Parking areas: interior islands/tree wells, minimum percent landscape, and screening along public rights-of-way (including a 36–42 in masonry wall, hedge or berm) — see § 17.60.040 and Figure 17.60.040-A/B.
  • Loading/outdoor storage and industrial buffers: loading docks and outdoor storage visible to residential uses must be screened by an 8 ft masonry wall + 10 ft landscape strip in many cases — see § 17.30.070 and related 17.60 text.
  • Fences & walls: height limits, front-yard rules and articulation requirements are in § 17.10.120 (and district-specific detail appears in district tables).

(References below cite the specific City code sections; the file excerpts used to build this page are given in Source References.)

District-by-district breakdown (how rules differ in Adelanto)

Below are the Adelanto zoning districts where landscaping/screening rules are called out differently in the Code. For each district I summarize the purpose, typical uses, where the district applies, and the most decision-relevant landscaping/screening rules (with the controlling code citations).

R1 (Single‑Family Residential)

  • Purpose & typical uses: single‑family homes and accessory uses; applies across most conventional residential subdivisions. See residential district tables in § 17.20.030 – Table 20‑1 for dimensional standards.
  • Key landscaping/screening rules:
    • New single‑family subdivisions must provide front/street-side landscaping and street trees; street trees along public/private interior streets are required to city standards. See § 17.60.010 and multi‑family/residential landscaping requirements that cross‑apply.
    • Front yards: turf limitations for model homes and new residential development (front/street‑side turf limited to 20% of the front/street side area unless otherwise approved). § 17.60.040(e).
    • Fences/walls: typical maximum height in residential districts (except front yard) is 6 ft; front‑yard fence standards (48 in max, with open‑type options) and articulation/stepping rules are in § 17.10.120.

See the residential development standards tables for the R1, R1-.5, DL‑2.5/DL‑5/DL‑9 district dimensional standards referenced in Table 20‑1.

DL‑9 / DL‑5 / DL‑2.5 (Desert Living)

  • Purpose & typical uses: low‑density desert residential lots (1 unit / 9, 5, or 2.5 acres). Identified in Appendix A as DL districts.
  • Key landscaping/screening rules:
    • These districts are still governed by Chapter 17.60 for landscape plans and water conservation. Larger lot sizes and desert context typically mean xeriscape palettes and less turf; Chapter 17.60 requires xeriscape plantings in front/street side areas. § 17.60.010 – § 17.60.080.
    • Chain‑link fence exceptions: chain link may be allowed on individually built single‑family units in DL‑2.5 / DL‑5 / DL‑9 only with Director approval (see § 17.10.120(f)).

R‑M / R3‑8 / R‑M12 / Multi‑Family Residential

  • Purpose & typical uses: duplexes, apartments and multi‑unit housing. See Tables in § 17.20 for densities and setbacks.
  • Key landscaping/screening rules:
    • Multi‑family projects must plant clustered trees/shrubs, provide street trees and consistent landscape themes; quantity requirements scale with project size (e.g., projects <1 acre require minimum tree/shrub types, larger projects require more types) — see Chapter 17.60 and multi‑family requirements. § 17.60.020 and multi‑family subparts.
    • Driveways/internal driveways within street‑side setbacks that are not perpendicular must be screened with a 36 in hedge or decorative wall for screening. § 17.20/17.15 cross references in multifamily rules.

C / MU (Commercial and Mixed‑Use)

  • Purpose & typical uses: retail, offices, mixed use. See MU zone development standards (Table 50‑1) for setbacks, FAR, landscape percentages.
  • Key landscaping/screening rules:
    • Commercial/mixed‑use projects must provide a minimum percentage of the project area as landscaping (often 5% or more depending on district) and provide parking lot landscaping (typically 5% of parking area, sometimes 10% for other zones). See Table 50‑1 and Figure 17.60.040‑A/B. § 17.60.040.
    • Where parking adjoins a public ROW, combine berms, a 36–42 in decorative masonry wall (or hedge/berm) plus shrubs/trees for screening as required. § 17.60.040.
    • Mechanical and loading areas must be screened; loading docks visible to residential uses must be screened by an 8 ft masonry wall + 10 ft landscape strip in many cases. § 17.60.040(g) and § 17.30.070.

Link to Adelanto’s Development Standards tables for the commercial/minimum landscape percentages and setbacks used in design review. (/us/california/adelanto/development-standards)

BP / LM / MI / ADD / Industrial and Business Park

  • Purpose & typical uses: business park, light manufacturing, industrial uses (ADD = Airport Development). See Table 30‑1 for ADD/LM/MI/BP standards.
  • Key landscaping/screening rules:
    • Minimum landscape strips along property lines and rail frontages are required: 10 ft landscape strip along railroad frontage; 4 ft side/rear strip for industrial sites; when adjacent to residential, provide 10 ft landscape strip plus 8 ft masonry wall. § 17.60 development standards paragraphs.
    • Perimeter landscaping should be combined with berms to reduce fence height; chain link/cyclone fences used for security must be screened by landscape. § 17.60.040.

PF / PU (Public Facilities / Utilities) and Open Space

  • Purpose & typical uses: schools, City/County facilities, utilities. See Table 35‑1 for PF/PU landscaping (often 15% required).
  • Key landscaping/screening rules:
    • Higher on‑site landscaping percentage requirement (15%) for PF projects in Table 35‑1. § 17.35.040.
    • Landscape plans required and subject to Location & Development Plan approval where new structures exceed thresholds. § 17.35.030 – 17.35.040.

Key standards — decision table

Topic Standard / Requirement Code Reference
Landscape plan submittal before building permit Landscape + irrigation plans (3 copies; scale and content requirements) required prior to building permit § 17.60.020
Purpose/water conservation Xeriscape / low water‑use palette required; limit turf in front/street‑side; promotes shade and reduces urban heat island § 17.60.010
Parking lot landscaping Minimum 5% interior parking landscaping (varies by zone); planter island width min 5 ft at row ends; tree wells 5 ft sq; one tree / 7 parking spaces (or 1/4 stalls depending on table) § 17.60.040 and Figure 17.60.040‑B § 17.60.040
Screening along public ROW/parking 36–42 in decorative masonry wall, hedge or berm required adjacent to public rights‑of‑way § 17.60.040
Industrial → residential buffer 10 ft landscape strip + 8 ft masonry wall where industrial abuts residential (perimeter landscaping paragraphs in Ch. 17.60) § 17.60.040
Fences/walls — heights Max fence/wall height outside front yard: 6 ft in residential; 8 ft in other districts; front yard fences limited to 48 in (exceptions for pilasters/open fencing) § 17.10.120(a),(c)
Chain link rules Chain link prohibited in new single‑family subdivisions; limited exceptions in desert living districts (DL‑2.5/DL‑5/DL‑9) with Director approval § 17.10.120(f)
Landscape maintenance / guarantees Maintenance required; plant materials guaranteed (initial 60 days + seasonal extensions); dead material replaced promptly § 17.60.060
Protected plants / Joshua trees Joshua tree relocation/plant protection must follow County of San Bernardino requirements; Building Dept reviews relocation plans § 17.57.040

Practical guidance / plain-English synthesis

  • Start your design with the Landscape Design Plan — the Planning Division will expect to see the full planting and irrigation plan at permit time (three copies, scaled) § 17.60.020.
  • Use drought‑tolerant, xeriscape palettes in front yards and street frontages; expect turf limits on front and street‑side yards (model homes and new subdivisions have explicit turf caps). § 17.60.040(e).
  • For commercial and industrial sites, allocate the required percent of site area to landscaping (typically 5%–15% depending on district) and design parking islands and tree wells to the minimum dimensions shown in Figure 17.60.040‑B. § 17.60.040.
  • If your project abuts residential zones, design perimeter landscaping and walls to meet buffer specs (trees/shrubs + masonry wall heights), and use berming to reduce visible fence height. § 17.60.040.
  • Remember fences in front yards are treated specially — open‑type fences and pilasters are allowed within the 48 in front‑yard cap; solid walls in front yards are more restricted. § 17.10.120(c).

When the site will go through design review or triggers Location & Development Plan/conditional use processes, plan your landscaping to respond to those reviewers’ expectations (material quality, irrigation efficiency, pedestrian shade, and integration with onsite architecture). (/us/california/adelanto/design-review)

Also check parking landscaping requirements early — parking layout, tree locations and islands affect required stall counts and curb placements; see Adelanto Parking. (/us/california/adelanto/parking)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

  • Prepare and submit a full Landscape Design Plan and irrigation plan (three copies, scale as required) prior to building permit — § 17.60.020.
  • Use a xeriscape / low water‑use plant palette for front and street‑side yards; limit turf per § 17.60.040(e).
  • Meet parking‑lot landscaping percentages; provide planter islands and tree wells to minimum sizes and spacing — § 17.60.040.
  • Provide screening for loading, outdoor storage and mechanical equipment per § 17.60.040(g) and § 17.30.070 (including 8 ft walls + 10 ft strips where required).
  • Ensure fences/walls meet height and front‑yard rules (residential 6 ft max exterior; non‑residential 8 ft; front‑yard 48 in limits and articulation) § 17.10.120.
  • Provide a maintenance plan and landscape guarantee per § 17.60.060.
  • If protected plants (e.g., Joshua trees) are present, include a plant protection/relocation plan per § 17.57.040 and County rules.
  • Verify if the project requires overlay or design review and incorporate any overlay‑specific landscape rules. (/us/california/adelanto/overlay-districts)

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Building code vs. zoning code responsibilities Zoning prescribes setbacks, screening and landscape plans; structural or fire‑rating requirements for walls/fences may be governed by building code. Confirm Title 24 / California Building Standards Code requirements with Building Dept (zoning does not replace building code). Not found in retrieved materials; see California Building Standards Code link. (/us/california/building-codes)
Parcel‑specific easements or ROW Landscaping required in a yard may overlap public right‑of‑way or easements, which can change what you can plant or build. Verify utility easements and whether the landscaped area is in private property or public ROW; see § 17.60.020 mapping requirements. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Protected species / Joshua trees Projects in desert areas may trigger special relocation or protection requirements beyond regular landscaping rules. If Joshua trees or other biotic resources exist, follow § 17.57.040 and County relocation rules; include relocation plan. § 17.57.040
Chain‑link fence exceptions The Code bans chain link in most new single‑family subdivisions but allows limited exceptions in some DL districts — potential conflict with security needs. If proposing chain link, confirm Director approval criteria in § 17.10.120(f) and whether the site qualifies (DL‑2.5/DL‑5/DL‑9). § 17.10.120(f)
Interpretation of “screened from view” Code uses visual terms (“screened”, “complement architectural design”) that are subjective at design review. Expect Planning/Design Review to require integration and materials notes. Early pre‑application review recommended; verify with Planning. § 17.60.010 and design standards.

Plain-English Summary

Adelanto’s zoning requires a formal landscape and irrigation plan (submitted with building permit applications) that prioritizes water‑wise plantings, prescribes minimum landscape areas and parking‑lot trees/islands, and requires walls/hedges to screen parking, loading and industrial edges; fence heights and front‑yard fence types are controlled by the code. Key rules live in Chapter 17.60 and the fence/wall rules are in § 17.10.120 — verify district tables (e.g., Table 20‑1) for dimensional contexts.

Source References

  • § 17.60.010 – 17.60.080 (Chapter: Landscaping / Water Conservation) — General provisions, purpose, applicability.
  • § 17.60.020 — Landscape Design Plan submittal requirements (three copies, scale, content).
  • § 17.60.040 — Parking lot landscaping, screening, islands, planter sizes, and perimeter screening (including 36–42 in walls).
  • § 17.60.060 — Maintenance and landscape guarantee requirements.
  • § 17.57.040 — Plant protection / Joshua tree relocation requirements.
  • § 17.10.120 — Fences, walls, hedges height limits; front‑yard special rules and chain‑link exceptions.
  • § 17.30.070 — Outdoor uses/display/storage screening and 8 ft wall + setbacks for outdoor storage.
  • Table 20‑1 / § 17.20 — Residential district development standards (DL, R1, R‑M etc.).
  • Table 50‑1 / MU zone — Mixed‑use district standards including landscaping percentages.
  • Adelanto zoning & planning overview: Adelanto zoning & planning overview — use this for city‑level links and guidance. (/us/california/adelanto)
  • Adelanto Zoning (menu page): Adelanto Zoning — quick link to zoning topics used on this site. (/us/california/adelanto/zoning)
  • Adelanto Parking (municipal guidance referenced for parking‑landscape decisions): Adelanto Parking (/us/california/adelanto/parking)
  • Adelanto Design Review: Adelanto Design Review — design guidance and review triggers. (/us/california/adelanto/design-review)
  • Adelanto Overlay Districts: Adelanto Overlay Districts — verify whether overlay rules change landscaping requirements. (/us/california/adelanto/overlay-districts)
  • Adelanto ADUs: Adelanto ADUs — note: ADU landscaping specifics are not covered here; verify with the City for parcel/ADU exceptions. (/us/california/adelanto/adu)
  • California Building Standards Code (for non‑zoning building requirements): California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes)

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Adelanto Zoning Code (Chapter 17.60) High relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code High relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (CHAPTER 17.60) High relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code High relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code High relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code High relevance
  • CBC § 135 (Chapter 17.135.) High relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (Section 17.60.060) High relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (Section 5) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 17.10.080 (section c.4) Medium relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (Section 3) Medium relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (Chapter 17.130) Medium relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (CHAPTER 17.10) Medium relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (CHAPTER 17.10) Medium relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (Section 17.20.040) Medium relevance
  • Adelanto Zoning Code (Section 17.60.080) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping plan do I need to submit in Adelanto?

You must submit a full Landscape Design Plan (landscape + irrigation) prior to issuance of a building permit; plans must be drawn to scale and include building footprints, calculations of landscape area, and plant lists as required by § 17.60.020.

How much of my commercial site must be landscaped?

Most commercial and mixed‑use districts require at least 5% of the project area be landscaped (some public facility zones require 15%) and parking‑lot area landscaping is separately required (commonly 5%–10% of parking area). See Table 50‑1 and § 17.60.040 for exact percentages by zone.

What are Adelanto’s rules for screening parking from the street?

When parking adjoins a public right‑of‑way you must screen it by combining berms, shrubs/trees and a decorative masonry wall, hedge or berm 36–42 inches high as measured from the finished parking grade, with horizontal/vertical wall variations when long runs occur; see § 17.60.040 and Figure 17.60.040‑A.

Can I use chain‑link fences in a new single‑family subdivision?

Chain link is prohibited in new single‑family residential subdivisions; limited exceptions allow chain link for individually built homes in DL‑2.5, DL‑5, DL‑9 or with Director approval in specific cases — see § 17.10.120(f).

Do I have to screen loading docks and outdoor storage?

Yes — loading areas should be separated from pedestrian/auto traffic, located away from residential uses, and where visible to residences must be screened by a minimum 8‑foot masonry wall and 10‑foot landscaped strip per the loading and industrial site provisions and § 17.30.070 / Chapter 17.60.

What front‑yard fence height limits apply on a house lot?

In residential districts front‑yard fences are generally limited to 48 inches; pilasters and open‑type wrought‑iron treatments are allowed to that height but solid walls or higher barriers in the front yard are limited by § 17.10.120(c).

Are there turf and water‑use limits for new subdivisions or model homes?

Yes — new developments and model homes must limit water‑intensive landscape in front/street‑side yards (front/street‑side turf limited to 20% of that area for new homes); the code requires xeriscape plant palettes for these areas. See § 17.60.040(e).

Does Adelanto require guarantees or maintenance for installed landscaping?

Yes — owners/developers must provide a landscape guarantee (typically 60 days initial guarantee after final approval; replacements are guaranteed for an additional 60 days) and ongoing maintenance is required per § 17.60.060.

What if my site contains Joshua trees or other protected desert plants?

Projects with Joshua trees must comply with the County of San Bernardino relocation requirements; the Building Department will review relocation plans as required by § 17.57.040. Plan for special surveys and mitigation early.

Will landscape requirements vary by zoning district?

Yes — landscape area percentages, setbacks and required screening vary across districts (see residential Table 20‑1, MU Table 50‑1, and BP/LM/MI Table 30‑1). Always check the district‑specific development table for the zone your parcel is in. § 17.20, § 17.50, Table 30‑1 / Table 50‑1.

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