Local zoning · Albany

Albany — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What fence heights are allowed in Albany residential zones?

Fences in R districts are generally limited to 6 ft maximum, but within any required front yard a visual obstruction may not exceed 3 ft ; corner/driveway sight‑line rules also impose 3 ft limits in specified distances. The Community Development Director sets base elevation for measuring height when adjacent grades differ by 18 in. or more. § 20.24.110.C.1–3 .

Q: Does Albany require permits to remove trees?

In the mapped Hillside (H‑D) and Hillside Combining (:H) districts, living trees over 5 ft in height on unimproved lots (and significant trees over 6 in. trunk diameter in RHD contexts) require permission from the Director of Public Works and are subject to appeal to the Planning Commission. Outside those mapped areas, the code excerpt provided does not show the same blanket tree‑removal permit language — verify with the City. § 20.48.020–030; § 20.24.040.5 .

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

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Albany municipal zoning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls, and trees — including special rules for parking lots, refuse areas, hillside properties, and wireless facilities. All requirements below are drawn from the Albany Planning & Zoning regulations; where a rule applies, I quote the controlling code section number so you can verify the text. For background on where these rules sit in the local code, see Albany Zoning and Albany Development Standards. For related procedures you will commonly use, see the city pages on design review, parking, overlay districts, and ADUs. Construction work remains subject to the California Building Standards Code.

Key controlling ordinance: § 20.24.110 (Fences, Landscaping, Screening) and related subsections; see also § 20.24.040 (Hillside/RHD landscaping expectations), § 20.24.120 (Refuse storage screening), and the City tree removal rules § 20.48. § 20.24.110 sets the primary standards and is the source for height limits, screening height, and maintenance obligations.

Citywide rules (summary of core requirements)

Purpose and scope: the code intends to provide privacy, security, protection from traffic, noise, glare, wind and to improve appearance via required landscaping and screening; the Planning and Zoning Commission may require landscaping as part of design review. § 20.24.110.
Fence/wall height limits: in R districts fences/walls/hedges generally cannot exceed 6 feet; in C districts the maximum is 8 feet. Within any required front yard in an R district, visual obstructions are limited to 3 feet (with limited decorative exceptions subject to administrative design review). Measurement procedures for grade disparities are administered by the Community Development Director. § 20.24.110.C.1–2.
Screening height (where required): required screening devices are typically minimum 6 feet tall; the Commission may reduce this. Maximum screening height is governed by the fence/wall limits at § 20.24.110.C. § 20.24.110.E.1.
Planting at time of installation: where a specific planting height is required, installed plants cannot be more than 3 feet lower than the required height when the required height is 5 feet or more, or 2 feet lower when the required height is less than 5 feet. Berms may count toward required screening height. § 20.24.110.E.1.c–d.
Maintenance: required landscaping must be kept in good growing condition (pruning, irrigation, replacement if necessary). Enforcement authority: Community Development Manager/Director. § 20.24.110.E.3.
Encroachments: limited permissions for portable planters into public right-of-way are allowed in specified commercial districts (e.g., SPC and SC) subject to Director standards. § 20.24.110.E.4.
Off-street parking landscaping and screening: parking lots (non‑single-family) must meet additional standards, including one tree per 8 parking spaces (minimum one tree for lots of 5+ spaces) and screening of parked cars from streets/adjacent properties. Special percent-of-area landscaping thresholds apply for very large lots (50+ spaces). See § 20.24.110.F and Albany Parking.
Refuse storage: all uses other than single- and two-family residences must provide a refuse storage area screened on all sides by a 6-foot solid wall (wood, masonry or comparable) or locate it within a building; gates must be self-latching. § 20.24.120.
Trees / tree removal: tree removal rules for the Hillside areas (H-D and Hillside Combining :H) require permits for trees above specified sizes and designate review by the Director of Public Works (appealable to Planning Commission). See § 20.48.
Precedence and discretion: many screening/landscaping measures may be required or adjusted through the design review or Planning & Zoning Commission process; design review findings, planned unit development rules, and use permit procedures can modify or add conditions. See § 20.100.050 and § 20.100.060.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the Albany districts that carry distinctive landscaping/screening or tree rules in the code. Each subsection gives the local purpose, typical uses (as referenced in the code), key dimensional/landscape standards, and where the district applies in the city code.

R Districts (Residential—e.g., R-1, R-2, etc.)

Purpose / typical uses: primarily single‑ and two‑family homes and typical residential accessory uses; R District rules are the baseline for residential privacy, yards and open space. Refer to the Table of Site Regulations and district entries in the zoning chapter. See Albany Zoning.
Key landscaping/screening standards: fences, walls and hedges in R districts are limited to 6 ft maximum height except in front yards where visual obstructions are limited to 3 ft; street-corner sight‑line limitations also apply (3 ft within specified distances). § 20.24.110.C.1–3.
Where it applies: all properties zoned R-X as listed in the code’s Table of Site Regulations (see the zoning tables). Note that trees exceeding 6 in. trunk diameter in the RHD (hillside) area are considered significant; see RHD entry below and § 20.48 on tree removal. § 20.24.040; § 20.48.

RHD (Residential Hillside Development / RHD)

Purpose / typical uses: regulates hillside residential development on Albany Hill; special protections for vegetation and slope stability. § 20.24.040.
Key standards relevant to landscaping/trees: landscaping should blend with the natural landscape; removal of vegetation is restricted, and trees over 6 in. trunk diameter (3 ft above base) are considered significant and require a tree removal permit. Grading and replanting with fire‑retardant, drought‑tolerant plants are emphasized. § 20.24.040.4–5 and § 20.48.
Where it applies: Albany Hill Area Specific Plan / mapped RHD areas (see code notes). § 20.24.040.A.

Commercial Districts / C Districts (general commercial and CMX — Commercial Mixed Use)

Purpose / typical uses: commercial retail, services, offices, and in CMX higher‑intensity mixed uses. (See the district tables and CMX regulations in the zoning chapter.)
Key landscaping/screening standards: fences/walls allowed to 8 ft maximum in C Districts; parking lots across the street from residential districts must be screened with 5 ft high fence/wall or compact evergreen hedge; rooftop equipment on CMX and PF properties may be exempt from some screening requirements (see below). § 20.24.110.C.1; F.1.b.
Where it applies: all parcels mapped C (and CMX) in the zoning maps; CMX has its own design standards that interact with landscaping and screening rules. § 20.24.030.

SPC and SC (San Pablo Corridor / Commercial Node overlays)

Purpose / typical uses: overlay regulations for nodes and San Pablo Avenue corridors; encourage street‑front building placement with limited setback allowances for planting or pedestrian amenity. § 20.24.030.
Key landscaping rules: the code allows limited encroachments of portable planters into the public right‑of‑way (up to 2 ft in SPC, 1 ft in SC) subject to Director standards. Urban planting and small setbacks for landscaping are built into the design standards. § 20.24.110.E.4; § 20.24.030.3.a.

PF (Public Facilities) and WF (Waterfront / WF)

Purpose / typical uses: public uses, facilities, and waterfront uses with site‑specific screening and design expectations.
Landscape/screening notes: the Planning and Zoning Commission may require landscaped strips or other screening in PF, WF, and all commercial districts; however, some rooftop mechanicals on PF and CMX properties are explicitly exempt from the screening rules in § 20.24.110.D.3.f. § 20.24.110.D.2–3.f.

Quick-reference standards table

What	Required / Limit	Where in code (controlling §)
Max fence/wall height — R districts	6 ft (except front yard visual obstruction 3 ft)	§ 20.24.110.C.1–2
Max fence/wall height — C districts	8 ft	§ 20.24.110.C.1
Screening devices — minimum height	6 ft (unless Commission reduces)	§ 20.24.110.E.1.a
Planting installation tolerance	≤ 3 ft short (if required height ≥ 5 ft); ≤ 2 ft short (if required height < 5 ft)	§ 20.24.110.E.1.c
Parking lot trees	1 tree per 8 parking spaces (min 1 tree for 5+ spaces)	§ 20.24.110.F.3.b.1
Refuse area screening	6 ft solid wall or enclosed in building	§ 20.24.120
Hillside significant tree threshold	> 6 in. trunk diameter (measured 3 ft from base)	§ 20.24.040.5; § 20.48

Checklist

Provide a landscaping and screening plan where required by design review or Commission conditions. § 20.24.110.
Confirm fence/wall height limits for your district (R vs C) and show measurements from the base elevation (Director decides for grade disparities). § 20.24.110.C.1.
If a nonresidential use adjoins residential property, include dense landscaping or a solid fence/wall at least 6 ft high (unless Commission modifies). § 20.24.110.D.3.a; E.1.
For parking areas of 5+ spaces, show tree locations and tree‑well dimensions (4x4 ft minimum) and irrigation. § 20.24.110.F.3.b.1–2.
Show refuse storage area screened behind a 6‑ft solid enclosure (unless single/two‑family). § 20.24.120.
If on Albany Hill or in an H-D/:H area, identify trees > 6 in. diameter and obtain tree removal permits if you propose removal. § 20.24.040; § 20.48.
Provide ongoing maintenance plan (irrigation, replacement) for required plantings; designate responsible party. § 20.24.110.E.3.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Grade disparity at property lines	Height is measured from a base elevation that the Community Development Director will determine when grade differs by ≥ 18 in. — this can change whether a fence complies. § 20.24.110.C.1	Verify base elevation determination with the Community Development Director before final fence design.
Discretion in screening height	Minimum screening is usually 6 ft, but the Commission may reduce it; conversely fence height limits cap maximums. § 20.24.110.E.1	Confirm (via design review) if a reduced height will be approved or if a taller wall is prohibited.
Tree removal threshold limited to hillside areas	The tree removal permit rules in § 20.48 explicitly apply to H‑D and :H district unimproved lots; other tree protections may exist elsewhere. § 20.48.020	If your parcel is not in the mapped Hillside District, ask the city if other local or state tree ordinances apply. Verify property mapping.
Rooftop equipment screening exceptions	Certain rooftop equipment on CMX and PF parcels are exempt from screening rules — could allow visible mechanicals that would otherwise require screening. § 20.24.110.D.3.f	Verify whether an exemption applies to your parcel or if design review will nonetheless impose screening.
Public right‑of‑way encroachments for planters	Portable planter encroachments are allowed but district- and Director‑limited (e.g., SPC vs SC). § 20.24.110.E.4	Apply early for an encroachment permit and confirm dimension allowances and maintenance responsibilities.
Non‑uniform code excerpts in application materials	The code delegates many specific decisions (species, spacing, screening type) to the Commission or Director. § 20.24.110.E.2	For project certainty, request pre‑application review or written Director guidance on species/spacing and test plant submittals.

Plain-English Summary

Albany requires most non‑residential and some multifamily parking/utility areas to be screened with landscaping or walls and limits fence heights in residential areas (generally 6 ft except 3 ft in front yards). Trees and plantings used for screening must be installed and maintained to reach required heights, and specific rules apply in the Hillside (tree‑permit) and commercial overlay areas. Verify grading/measurement, planters in public areas, and any Commission or Director discretion before final design. § 20.24.110; § 20.24.040; § 20.48.

Source References

Albany Municipal Code — § 20.24.110. Fences, Landscaping, Screening (primary landscaping and screening standards). § 20.24.110.
Albany Municipal Code — § 20.24.040. Hillside Residential Regulations (landscaping expectations and tree significance in RHD). § 20.24.040.
Albany Municipal Code — § 20.48. Removal of Trees (tree removal permit requirements for H‑D and :H districts). § 20.48.
Albany Municipal Code — § 20.24.120. Refuse Storage Areas (6‑ft screening for refuse). § 20.24.120.
Albany Municipal Code — parking landscaping and screening (off‑street parking standards in § 20.24.110.F). § 20.24.110.F.
Full code host referenced in the source files: Albany code hosted on ECode360 (downloaded copy). https://ecode360.com/AL4074 (consult for full text).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Albany Zoning Code (§ 20.24.110.) High relevance
Albany Zoning Code (§ 20.24.110) High relevance
Albany Zoning Code (§ 20.24.110) High relevance
Albany Zoning Code (chapter or) High relevance
Albany Zoning Code (§ 20.24.110) High relevance
Albany Zoning Code (Section 8-1) High relevance
Albany Zoning Code (§ 20.24.120.) High relevance
Albany Zoning Code (§ 20.24.040) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Albany code library

Frequently asked questions

What fence heights are allowed in Albany residential zones?

Fences in R districts are generally limited to 6 ft maximum, but within any required front yard a visual obstruction may not exceed 3 ft; corner/driveway sight‑line rules also impose 3 ft limits in specified distances. The Community Development Director sets base elevation for measuring height when adjacent grades differ by 18 in. or more. § 20.24.110.C.1–3.

Do I need to screen my commercial parking lot from a neighboring house?

Yes — parking facilities abutting a residential use must be screened by a device not less than 6 ft in height (exceptions exist for front setback walls in R districts). If the parking lot is in a commercial district and across the street from residential zoning, a 5 ft fence, wall or compact evergreen hedge is required. § 20.24.110.F.1.a–b.

Are there planting or tree quantity standards for parking areas?

Yes — for parking areas of five (5) or more spaces, provide at least one tree per eight (8) parking spaces (and all such areas must have at least one tree). Trees shall be in tree wells at least 4x4 ft and irrigated; large parking lots (50+ spaces) have additional percentage‑of‑area landscaping requirements. § 20.24.110.F.3.b.1–3.

What must I show for refuse enclosures?

All uses other than single‑family and two‑family residences must provide a refuse storage area screened on all sides by a 6‑ft solid wall of wood, masonry, or comparable durable material (or place it inside a building); gates must be self‑latching. § 20.24.120.

Does Albany require permits to remove trees?

In the mapped Hillside (H‑D) and Hillside Combining (:H) districts, living trees over 5 ft in height on unimproved lots (and significant trees over 6 in. trunk diameter in RHD contexts) require permission from the Director of Public Works and are subject to appeal to the Planning Commission. Outside those mapped areas, the code excerpt provided does not show the same blanket tree‑removal permit language — verify with the City. § 20.48.020–030; § 20.24.040.5.

Can I use an earthen berm instead of a solid wall for screening?

Yes — a landscaped earthen berm may be counted toward required screening heights, but the berm plus planting must meet the screening height and density objectives set by the Commission or Director. § 20.24.110.E.1.d–2.

Will rooftop HVAC always have to be screened?

Not always. The code requires screening of rooftop mechanical equipment for many multi‑family, mixed‑use and commercial buildings, but roof‑top equipment on properties in the Commercial Mixed Use (CMX) and Public Facilities (PF) zoning districts are exempt from screening requirements in specified instances. Confirm applicability at project submittal. § 20.24.110.D.3.f.

How does Albany measure compliance for newly planted screening?

If a required screening height is prescribed, newly planted material may be up to 3 ft shorter than the required height when the prescribed height is 5 ft or more, and up to 2 ft shorter when the prescribed height is under 5 ft. Ongoing maintenance and replacement is required to ensure compliance. § 20.24.110.E.1.c; E.3.

Do planters or landscaping features belong in the public right‑of‑way?

Portable planter boxes or similar devices may encroach into the public right‑of‑way under limited allowances (e.g., up to 2 ft in the SPC District and 1 ft in the SC District) and are subject to Director standards and encroachment permits. § 20.24.110.E.4.

Ask about any Albany property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on Albany zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial