Local zoning · Alhambra

Alhambra — Landscaping and Screening

Q: If my commercial lot borders homes, what screening must I provide?

Where a lot in a Commercial or Employment district abuts a Residential district, a screening wall is required on the interior lot line at the time of new construction, expansion, or a change of use. The wall must be 4 ft high where it is within the required front setback adjacency and 6 ft high in other locations; it must be solid masonry and architecturally treated where required. § 23.12 (screening rules) .

Q: Is a fence or wall visible from the street reviewed differently than a backyard wall?

Yes. Front and street‑side fences and walls are subject to Design Review and shorter height limits, and their materials and appearance are evaluated as part of the design‑review process (materials and design of fences/walls are explicitly in the design review scope). § 23.33.020; § 23.33.060 .

Q: Are there different landscaping rules inside specific plans or the West Main Corridor?

Yes. Specific plans or PD overlays (for example -WMC ) may adopt their own landscape/streetscape rules that govern within the plan area; where a specific plan is silent, the base zoning code applies. Always check the applicable specific plan or PD document for parcel‑level requirements. § 23.08.020; § 23.11.040 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Alhambra Zoning Code (Title 23) requires for landscaping, screening, fences, walls, buffers, and trees — and how those rules vary by zoning district. The core landscaping standards live in Chapter 23.17 (landscape plans, plant types, water-efficiency, trees, parkways) and the screening/fence rules live in Chapter 23.12; parking-area landscaping and screening rules are in the parking/division standards. Read this page as an ordinance-driven, plain‑English reference — verify parcel-specific rules with the city.

Note: if you are planning vehicle areas, see the city rules for parking. If you need dimensional triggers (setbacks, heights, FAR), consult development standards. Design treatments that affect fences, walls, and landscaping are subject to design review. Projects inside combined zones should also check any overlay districts. ADU landscaping rules are cross-referenced on the ADU page. Large projects must still comply with the California Building Standards Code where it controls construction details.

What the code requires (top-line rules)

Applicability: Chapter 23.17 landscaping rules apply to all new development; additions that expand multi‑unit or non‑residential floor area by 10% or more; single‑unit home additions that expand floor area by 50% or more; and any new or rehabilitated irrigated landscaping over 2,500 sq ft. § 23.17.020.
Landscape plan: A scaled landscape plan is required where landscaping is required; the plan must show species (WUCOLS plant factor), sizes, irrigation, existing trees >6" (2" for oaks), and locations of fences/walls/entries/refuse. § 23.17.040.
Planting and water efficiency: Required landscape areas must include groundcovers, shrubs, vines, and trees, and must meet one of three water‑efficiency options (Option A = all low water; Option B = ≥75% low water for residential; Option C = MAWA calculation under MWELO). § 23.17.050(A).
Trees and parkway planting: Residential development must provide at least one 24‑inch box tree per 50 ft of street frontage (minimum one tree). Mixed‑use/non‑residential have larger box size and additional interior‑property‑line tree requirements. § 23.17.050(A)(3)(c).
Parking‑lot landscaping: Surface lots (≥3 spaces) must be landscaped per Chapter 23.17 and the parking standards. A minimum of 10% of parking area must be landscaped; planters counted toward required area must be at least 25 sq ft or 4 ft in any horizontal dimension; one 24‑inch box tree per 10 parking spaces; internal planting height limits for visibility apply (trees pruned to 8 ft clearance; other plants ≤ 30 in). (See parking standards.)
Screening between uses: Where a Commercial or Employment zoning district abuts a Residential zoning district, a screening wall is required on the interior lot line at the time of new construction or expansion. That wall must be 4 ft high within required front setbacks (adjacent to the residential front setback) and 6 ft high elsewhere, and be solid masonry (treated grey block not allowed unless architecturally treated). § 23.12.?? (screening rules in screening section).
Fences and walls: Front and street‑side yards — max 3 ft high (subject to design review); other yards — max 6 ft high; hazardous fencing (barbed/razor/electrified) is prohibited except where state/federal law or an Industrial District modification allows it. Fences must not have spikes/points and must be architecturally compatible. § 23.12.050.
Design review triggers: Front and street‑side fences/walls/dense hedges are subject to design review; design review scope specifically includes the materials and design of fences, walls, and screen plantings. § 23.33.020, § 23.33.060.
Tree removals: A tree permit is required to remove or materially alter a protected tree on private property, with specified exceptions (e.g., side/rear yard trees in RL and RM are exempt; fruit trees; most palms unless California native). Replacement requirements apply for healthy tree removals (special rules for oaks/native trees). § 23.12.170 (tree permit procedures and exemptions).

District-by-district (how landscaping & screening apply)

Below are the base zoning districts from Table 23.03.010 and the landscaping/screening consequences that matter most to applicants. For each district the bold name is the actual zone symbol used in Alhambra code.

Note: the code organizes detailed development standards in the tables referenced in each chapter; see the city's development standards for numeric setbacks, FAR, and height tables. The landscaping and screening rules listed below are cited to the ordinance sections that impose them.

RL — Residential Low Density

Purpose / typical uses: Single‑family and low‑density housing; preserve neighborhood character. § 23.04.010 (residential district purposes).
Landscaping & trees: Street‑front trees required: one 24‑inch box tree per 50 ft of street frontage (minimum one) for residential development; front yards must be live‑planted per § 23.17.030; parkway plantings must follow the city's Street Tree Planting Plan. § 23.17.050(c)(1).
Fences/walls: Front/street‑side fences are limited to 3 ft (design review required); other yards 6 ft. § 23.12.050.
Where it applies: typical single‑family lots across the city; landscaping plan only required for projects meeting the applicability thresholds in § 23.17.020.

RM — Residential Medium Density

Purpose / typical uses: Multi‑family (duplexes, small apartments) and medium‑density housing. § 23.04.010.
Landscaping & trees: Same tree frontage standards as RL for residential development; internal open space and parkways must meet Chapter 23.17; the tree‑permit exemptions list side/rear yard trees in RL and RM as exempt from tree permit. § 23.17.050; § 23.12.170.
Fences/walls & design review: Front/street‑side fences subject to design review; interior fencing up to 6 ft. § 23.12.050; § 23.33.020.

RH — Residential High Density

Purpose / typical uses: Higher density multi‑family housing. § 23.04.010.
Landscaping & trees: For multi‑family sites, Chapter 23.17 applies (landscape plans, hydrozones, MAWA options), and tree spacing and larger tree requirements for non‑residential/mixed developments may apply at interior property lines abutting residential zones. § 23.17.040–.050.
Screening: Where RH adjoins commercial/employment uses, those adjacent non‑residential lots must provide screening walls per § 23.12.

CBD — Central Business District; EMC — East Main Commercial; CMU — Commercial Mixed‑Use; AC — Automotive Commercial

Purpose / typical uses: Retail, office, mixed‑use, automotive services (by district). These zones are listed in Table 23.03.010; see Table 23.05.030 for CBD/EMC/CMU/AC development standards (FAR, height, density). TABLE 23.03.010; § 23.05.030.
Landscaping & parking: Non‑residential and mixed‑use sites must meet Chapter 23.17 and parking‑division landscaping rules: minimum 10% parking lot landscaping, 25 sq ft / 4 ft min planter, one 24‑inch box tree per 10 parking spaces, and internal clearance/visibility limits. § 23.17.030; parking landscaping standards.
Screening between zones: When these zones abut Residential zones, the non‑residential property must provide the required screening wall on the interior lot line (4 ft in front setback area; 6 ft elsewhere; solid masonry; treated block restrictions). § 23.12 (screening wall).
Fences & design review: Front yard fencing subject to design review; fences must be architecturally compatible and avoid chain‑link/grey smooth block in front setbacks. § 23.12.050; § 23.33.020.

PO — Professional Office; I — Industrial (Employment zones)

Purpose / typical uses: Office, medical office, and industrial uses. TABLE 23.03.010.
Landscaping & service areas: Industrial and office sites are subject to Chapter 23.17 for perimeter plantings, screening of ground‑mounted equipment, and parking lot landscaping; service yards and mechanical equipment must be screened so they are not visible from streets or adjacent properties. § 23.17.040; § 23.12 (required screening).
Screening to residential: If an Employment lot abuts Residential, the screening wall requirement applies (4 ft in front setback; 6 ft elsewhere; masonry). § 23.12 (screening wall).
Hazardous fencing: Barbed wire/razor wire is generally prohibited except where required by law or by modification in Industrial Districts. § 23.12.050(B).

PF — Public Facilities; OS — Open Space

Purpose / typical uses: Institutional, public facilities, parks/open space. TABLE 23.03.010.
Landscaping & parkways: Parkways and public open spaces must use live plant materials (max 25% non‑decorative hardscape) and comply with irrigation and parkway maintenance requirements in § 23.17.030. Artificial turf is prohibited in parkways. § 23.17.030.

Overlay districts: -WMC (West Main Corridor) and -PD (Planned Development)

Effect on landscaping/screening: Specific plans or PD plans can set different standards; if a specific plan is adopted it governs landscaping and screening within its boundary; where silent the base code applies. Always check the applicable overlay for special landscape/streetscape requirements. § 23.08.020; § 23.11.040.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant landscaping & screening standards

Requirement	What the code says	Code reference
When landscaping rules apply	New development; additions expanding non‑residential/multi‑unit by 10%; single‑unit additions 50%; new irrigated landscaping > 2,500 sq ft	§ 23.17.020
Landscape plan contents	Scaled plan with species (WUCOLS), sizes, irrigation, trees >6" (2" oaks), fences/walls, hardscape areas	§ 23.17.040
Planting water rules	Options A/B/C (Option A = all low‑water; Option B = ≥75% low water for residential; Option C = MAWA/MWELO)	§ 23.17.050(A)(2)
Street‑front tree requirement (residential)	One 24‑inch box per 50 ft frontage (min 1)	§ 23.17.050(A)(3)(c)
Parking lot landscaped area	Min 10% of parking lot area (including drive aisles); planters min 25 sq ft / 4 ft dim; one 24‑inch tree per 10 spaces	parking standards (division) (see parking rules)
Screening non‑residential adjacent to residential	Screening wall on interior lot line when Commercial / Employment abuts Residential; 4 ft within front setback adjacency, 6 ft elsewhere; masonry, treated block restrictions	§ 23.12 (screening rules)
Fence heights	Front/street‑side 3 ft (design review); other yards 6 ft; exceptions by modification	§ 23.12.050
Prohibited fencing	Barbed wire, razor wire, electrified fencing generally prohibited (exceptions for Industrial or required by law)	§ 23.12.050(B)
Design review triggers	Front/street‑side fences/walls; exterior alterations visible from public street; fences part of design review scope	§ 23.33.020; § 23.33.060
Tree removal permits	Tree permit required to remove/alter protected trees; exemptions listed (incl. side/rear yard trees in RL/RM)	§ 23.12.170

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Confirm whether your project meets the landscaping applicability thresholds in § 23.17.020 (new development, % additions, >2,500 sq ft irrigation).
Prepare a scaled landscape plan showing species, sizes, WUCOLS factor, irrigation, existing trees >6" (2" for oaks), and locations of proposed fences/walls/refuse as required by § 23.17.040.
Choose a water‑efficiency compliance option (A, B, or C / MWELO) per § 23.17.050(A)(2) and document calculations if Option C selected.
For parking areas, design to meet parking landscaping rules (min 10%, planter sizes, tree count, clearances) in the parking division.
If your site is Commercial or Employment and abuts Residential, include a screening wall on the interior lot line (4 ft within front setback adjacency; 6 ft elsewhere; masonry).
Check fence height limits and whether design review is required for front/street‑side fences per § 23.12.050 and § 23.33.020.
If removing a protected tree, prepare a tree permit application and mitigation/replacement plan where required; note exemptions for some side/rear yard trees in RL/RM. § 23.12.170.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Tree permit exemptions	The code exempts some trees from permit rules (e.g., side/rear yard trees in RL/RM), but protected/native/oak rules have special replacement obligations	Verify whether the tree is "protected", its measured diameter (oaks measured at 2" thresh.), and check § 23.12.170.
Exact location of screening wall	The code requires a screening wall “on the interior lot lines” for Commercial/Employment abutting Residential, but the Director can authorize alternate placement	Confirm whether the Director has approved alternate screening location for the parcel; check timing triggers (new construction/expansion/change of use). § 23.12 (screening rules).
Front‑yard fence measurement	Height measured from different reference points (sidewalk vs adjacent grade) — this affects allowed fence height	Confirm how fence height is measured for your lot using the measuring rules and see § 23.02.030(C) and § 23.12.050.
Parking lot landscaping credit	The code counts drive aisles and maneuvering areas in the 10% parking landscaping calc — that affects layout	Confirm whether your plan's landscaped area calculation includes drive aisles and whether smaller planters meet the 25 sq ft / 4 ft minimum. parking standards.
Design review vs. ministerial work	Front/street‑side fences always trigger design review; other landscaping may also trigger design review depending on building changes	Check § 23.33.020 to determine if your fencing/alteration requires design review and the submittal timing (design review often must accompany other discretionary permits).
Overlay or Specific Plan overrides	A -PD or other overlay/specific plan can prescribe its own landscape/streetscape standards	Verify whether the parcel lies inside a specific plan / overlay (e.g., -WMC) and whether that plan has specific landscape/screening rules; where silent, base code applies. § 23.08.020; § 23.11.040.

Plain‑English summary

Alhambra requires a scaled landscape plan and water‑efficient plantings for most new development and for many additions; parking lots must provide at least 10% landscaping and trees; commercial/employment sites next to homes must put up masonry screening walls (4 ft in the front‑setback adjacency, 6 ft elsewhere); front yard fences are low (3 ft) and need design review, while most other fences can be up to 6 ft — and you need a tree permit to remove many protected trees. Verify parcel‑specific overlay or design‑review requirements with the Planning Division. § 23.17.020; § 23.17.040; § 23.17.050; § 23.12.050; § 23.33.020.

Source References

§ 23.17.010–§ 23.17.050 (CHAPTER 23.17 — Landscaping: purpose, applicability, areas to be landscaped, landscape plan, general requirements) — ordinance excerpts.
§ 23.12.050 (Fences and freestanding walls: height limits, materials, hazardous fencing prohibition) — ordinance excerpt.
Screening walls and screening rules between Commercial/Employment and Residential — ordinance excerpt (interior lot line screening wall, heights, masonry requirement). § 23.12 (screening rules).
Parking‑lot landscaping and screening standards (minimum 10%, planter sizes, trees per spaces, clearances) — parking/parking‑division standards.
Design review applicability and scope (fences, walls, screen plantings are in scope) — § 23.33.020, § 23.33.060.
Table 23.03.010 (base zoning districts list) and Table 23.05.030 (development standards summary for commercial/mixed‑use districts) — zoning district tables.
Tree permit rules and exemptions (tree permit processes, hazardous vs healthy tree removals, replacement rules) — § 23.12.170.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Alhambra Zoning Code (Chapter 23.20.) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (section apply) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.17) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.12.090.) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (chapter do) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.17.050) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.31.020.) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (section are) High relevance
CFC § 23.12.140 (§ 23.12.140) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.01) Medium relevance
California Building Code (Title or) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.01.040) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.03.020) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) Medium relevance
CFC § 23.12.140 (§ 23.12.140) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (Chapter 23.17) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (Chapter 23.38.) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (Chapter 23.16) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Alhambra code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping rules apply to a small residential addition in Alhambra?

If the addition increases a single‑unit dwelling’s floor area by 50% or more, Chapter 23.17 landscaping provisions apply (landscape plan, water efficiency, trees). Smaller residential additions are generally exempt from Chapter 23.17 unless other thresholds are triggered. § 23.17.020.

How much of my parking lot must be landscaped?

Surface parking lots designed for three or more vehicles must provide landscaping equal to at least 10% of the parking lot area (including drive aisles). Planters counted toward that minimum must be at least 25 sq ft or 4 ft in any horizontal dimension; additionally you must supply one 24‑inch box tree per 10 parking spaces and meet visibility/clearance limits. (Parking standards).

Do I need a permit to remove a street tree or oak on my property?

A tree permit is required to remove or materially alter a protected tree on private property; there are exceptions (e.g., side and rear yard trees in RL and RM are exempt from tree‑permit requirements). Applications for healthy‑tree removal require public notice and may require replacement plantings. § 23.12.170.

If my commercial lot borders homes, what screening must I provide?

Where a lot in a Commercial or Employment district abuts a Residential district, a screening wall is required on the interior lot line at the time of new construction, expansion, or a change of use. The wall must be 4 ft high where it is within the required front setback adjacency and 6 ft high in other locations; it must be solid masonry and architecturally treated where required. § 23.12 (screening rules).

Can I build a 6‑foot privacy fence in my front yard?

No — front and street‑side fences, walls, and dense hedges are limited to a maximum of 3 ft measured from finished grade and are subject to design review; other yard areas may have fences up to 6 ft. Exceptions for taller fencing can only be made via modification or as allowed for certain commercial/industrial uses outside setbacks. § 23.12.050; § 23.33.020.

Does the city limit the plant species I can use for landscaping?

Yes — the landscape chapter requires water‑efficient plant choices and offers three compliance options (including an all low‑water option). Plant selection must reference WUCOLS plant factors and grouping by hydrozones. If you choose Option C you must comply with the State MWELO water‑use calculations. § 23.17.050.

Is a fence or wall visible from the street reviewed differently than a backyard wall?

Yes. Front and street‑side fences and walls are subject to Design Review and shorter height limits, and their materials and appearance are evaluated as part of the design‑review process (materials and design of fences/walls are explicitly in the design review scope). § 23.33.020; § 23.33.060.

Are there different landscaping rules inside specific plans or the West Main Corridor?

Yes. Specific plans or PD overlays (for example -WMC) may adopt their own landscape/streetscape rules that govern within the plan area; where a specific plan is silent, the base zoning code applies. Always check the applicable specific plan or PD document for parcel‑level requirements. § 23.08.020; § 23.11.040.

How are fence/wall heights measured?

Front yard fence height is measured from the sidewalk elevation to the top of the fence; side/rear fence heights are measured from the adjacent property ground level (there are explicit measuring rules in the code). This can affect whether a fence complies with the 3 ft or 6 ft limit. § 23.02.030(C); § 23.12.050.

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