Alturas — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Alturas Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 28) actually requires for landscaping, screening, fences, walls, buffers, and trees. It pulls the controlling development rules (who must prepare a landscape plan, where the standards apply, minimum landscape area and planting density, fence height/material rules, and special screening for uses like campgrounds and transitional housing) and explains practical implications for applicants. For maps and the full list of zones, see the city zoning overview and the overlay district rules.

Key city rules — short list

• Landscape standards (applied to new or substantially remodeled commercial, industrial and high-density residential projects) are in § 28.43.010–§ 28.43.040 .
• Fence/wall rules (measurement, allowed heights in front/side/rear yards, prohibited materials, exceptions) are in § 28.41.060 .
• Site Plan and Site Plan approval (landscape review route) are in § 28.42.010–§ 28.42.020 .
• Primary zone names and where they apply (AG, RR, R1, R2, R3, C1, C2, M1, M2, OS, RC) are in § 28.12.010 .
• Downtown Historic (-DH) overlay exempts that area from some landscape/parking standards — read § 28.23.050 for exceptions and applicability .
• Special-screening rules for campgrounds and transitional housing (required landscape screens, six-foot enclosures, trash enclosure screening) appear in § 28.37.010, § 28.38.090, and § 28.38.100 .

For how landscaping interacts with other development rules (setbacks, parking, design review), consult the city development standards, the parking rules, and design review. Where building-code clearances matter, follow the California Building Standards Code.

How the rules apply district-by-district

Below are district-specific summaries focused on landscaping and screening. Each subsection states intent, typical uses, and the landscaping/screening requirements that are explicitly in the ordinance for that district. Where the ordinance does not include district-level landscaping language, I note "Not found in retrieved materials."

Important: the list of Primary Zone Districts is in § 28.12.010 .

Agricultural (AG)

• Purpose / typical uses: commercial agriculture, large lots. See § 28.12.010 .
• Landscaping/screening: Agricultural fencing types are specifically allowed in the AG zone and may be placed in setbacks provided they do not exceed 8 feet in height (§ 28.41.060.E) .
• Other notes: The general landscape standards (minimum landscape area, tree density) apply only to commercial/industrial/high-density residential projects (see § 28.43.020), so many farm projects are not covered unless they fall into those categories (§ 28.43.020) .

Rural Residential (RR)

• Purpose / typical uses: large-lot residential and low-intensity agricultural uses (§ 28.12.010) .
• Landscaping/screening: No RR-specific landscape standard found in retrieved materials. Fencing rules (front yard max 4 ft, side/rear calculations, prohibited materials) apply citywide (§ 28.41.060) .
• Verify parcel-specific buffers or deer/fire setbacks with the Director for edge cases (see Risks & Ambiguities).

Low Density Residential (R1)

• Purpose / typical uses: single-family homes (§ 28.12.010) .
• Landscaping/screening: Single-family residential projects are generally exempt from the commercial/industrial/high-density landscape plan requirements; the landscape-standards Division applies to "new or substantially remodeled commercial, industrial and high density residential development" (§ 28.43.020) . Fences in front yards allowed up to 4 ft; side/rear allowances apply (§ 28.41.060) .
• Where transitional housing or special residential uses are proposed (e.g., transitional housing), additional screening (six-foot solid fence along side/rear property lines) and maintained landscaping are required (§ 28.38.090) .

Medium Density Residential (R2)

• Purpose / typical uses: duplexes, small multifamily (§ 28.12.010) .
• Landscaping/screening: When a development is high-density (R3) or otherwise commercial/industrial, the landscape plan standards apply; for R2 projects, confirm whether the project is "substantially improved" (then § 28.43 rules apply) (§ 28.43.020) .

High Density Residential (R3)

• Purpose / typical uses: multifamily and dense residential development (§ 28.12.010) .
• Landscaping/screening: The landscape standards explicitly apply to high density residential projects; required items include a professionally-prepared landscape plan, minimum 10% of the project area landscaped, tree planting density (see § 28.43.030.C) and irrigation plan (§ 28.43.030) . Site Plan approval is the review path for these projects (§ 28.42.010) .

Retail/Office Commercial (C1) and General Commercial (C2)

• Purpose / typical uses: storefronts, offices, commercial services (§ 28.12.010) .
• Landscaping/screening: New or substantially remodeled commercial projects must comply with the landscape standards: minimum 10% landscaped area, drought-tolerant palette with at least 50% evergreen species, tree density of 1 tree per 300 sq ft of landscaped area (rounded to whole tree), turf limits, irrigation plan, rock coverage limits, and a plant/material key on plans (§ 28.43.020–§ 28.43.030) . Trash enclosures and dumpsters must be screened (campground standard also indicates six-foot enclosure for trash; see campground rules) (§ 28.37.010) .
• Design/approval path: Site Plan or Use Permit review per § 28.42.010 and Table 28.22.020; landscaping is reviewed with the Site Plan process (§ 28.42.010, § 28.43.020) .

Light/Heavy Industrial (M1 / M2)

• Purpose / typical uses: manufacturing, warehousing (§ 28.12.010) .
• Landscaping/screening: Industrial projects are subject to the landscape standards when new or substantially improved (§ 28.43.020). Screening of outdoor storage, equipment, and utility pads will be evaluated via Site Plan approval and can require walls, plant screens or other measures (§ 28.42.010; § 28.43.030) .

Open Space (OS) and Recreation (RC)

• Purpose / typical uses: parks, resource protection and recreation (§ 28.12.010) .
• Landscaping/screening: OS is a conservation-type zone; standard commercial landscape rules generally do not apply unless the project is a commercial/industrial/high-density residential development. Campgrounds (RC uses) must leave at least 50% of the site in its natural state or landscaped and must provide required screening (fence, wall or mound) and screened trash enclosures (§ 28.37.010) .

Table — Most decision‑relevant landscaping & screening standards

Practical guidance and interpretation (plain-English synthesis)

• If you are proposing a new commercial, industrial, or R3 (high‑density residential) project, expect to submit a detailed landscape plan prepared by a licensed professional as part of your Site Plan or Use Permit application; the plan must show the required 10% landscaped area, the 1 tree / 300 sq ft density, irrigation details, and limits on turf and rock (§ 28.43.020–§ 28.43.030) .
• Single‑family and many small residential projects are generally not covered by Division 4 landscape standards — but they still must meet fence/wall limits and any parcel-specific conditions or Use Permit conditions (§ 28.43.020; § 28.41.060) .
• Fences in front yards are tightly limited (4 ft); if you need taller screening, consider locating screening in side/rear yards, or apply for an Administrative Permit (exceptions exist but have public-notice requirements and a maximum absolute cap of 8 ft) (§ 28.41.060.J) .
• Where a property falls inside the -DH overlay, some Site Plan/landscape standards are waived (e.g., Downtown Historic District exempts certain landscape and parking standards), so check the overlay rules early (§ 28.23.050) .
• Trash shows up repeatedly as a screening requirement: commercial developments, campgrounds, and recreation facilities must provide screened trash enclosures (often 6 ft high) to keep animals out (§ 28.37.010; § 28.38.100) .
• Landscaping is reviewed as part of Site Plan review — confirm whether your project needs design review or Site Plan approval (Site Plan approval is required for most non-single‑family projects per § 28.42.010) .

Checklist — what an applicant must prepare (typical for retail/industrial/high‑density projects)

• Confirm zone(s) for the parcel via the city zoning map (Primary zone and any overlays) (§ 28.12.030)
• Site Plan showing the entire lot and footprints; obtain Site Plan approval if project is not single‑family (§ 28.42.010)
• Landscape plan prepared by a licensed Landscape Architect / Landscape Contractor / Nurseryperson (name/license on plans) (§ 28.43.030.A)
• Include plant key (common & botanical names) and material key (§ 28.43.030.D.2–3)
• Show square footage of landscaped area (must meet 10% minimum) and tree count (1 tree / 300 sq ft of landscaped area; round to nearest whole tree; ≥50% evergreen) (§ 28.43.030.C, .5)
• Irrigation plan with water‑conserving equipment and scheduling recommendations (automatic irrigation, overspray controls) (§ 28.43.030.6)
• Grading plan contours for landscape areas (1‑ft contours) (§ 28.43.030.7)
• If proposing fences/walls, show measured fence height from lowest grade and indicate materials (note front yard max 4 ft; side/rear exceptions; prohibited materials) (§ 28.41.060)
• If within Downtown Historic (-DH) overlay, document why any landscape/parking deviations are appropriate; some landscape standards are exempt in -DH (§ 28.23.050)
• If needing taller/novel fences, prepare justification for Administrative Permit and be prepared for public notice requirements (§ 28.41.060.J)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you are building or significantly remodeling a commercial, industrial, or high‑density residential project in Alturas, you must submit a professionally prepared landscape plan with at least 10% of the site landscaped, trees at roughly one per 300 square feet of landscaped area (half evergreen), and a water‑conserving irrigation plan; fences are limited to 4 feet in front yards (with specific side/rear rules and limited exceptions), and screening (for trash, campgrounds, certain housing uses) is commonly required — see § 28.43.020–§ 28.43.030 and § 28.41.060 for the governing rules .

Source References

• City of Alturas Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 28): general authority and chapter title — § 28.10.010, § 28.10.020
• Primary Zone Districts list (AG, RR, R1, R2, R3, C1, C2, M1, M2, OS, RC) — § 28.12.010
• Overlay Zone descriptions, including Downtown Historic District (-DH) exemptions — § 28.23.050
• Site Plan review applicability and relationship to landscape review — § 28.42.010–§ 28.42.020
• Division 4, Landscape Standards (applicability, content, minimums, plan requirements) — § 28.43.010–§ 28.43.040
• Fence, wall, retaining wall and gate rules — § 28.41.060 (measurement, front/side/rear rules, AG exceptions, prohibited materials, Administrative Permit exceptions)
• Campground and recreation screening/trash enclosure standards — § 28.37.010 and related campground sections
• Transitional housing screening and landscaping conditions — § 28.38.090

(These citations refer to the Alturas Zoning Code print export provided in the file set; see the code for full context and all subsections.)

Retrieved passages

• CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (section is) High relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (section is) High relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (Section contains) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 28.52.010 (Article VIII) Medium relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (Section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (CHAPTER 28.) Medium relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (Chapter 28) Medium relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (Section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (Section contains) Medium relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (Section 65851) Medium relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (Section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Alturas Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• City of Alturas Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 28): general authority and chapter title — § 28.10.010, § 28.10.020 (Chapter 28)
• Primary Zone Districts list (AG, RR, R1, R2, R3, C1, C2, M1, M2, OS, RC) — § 28.12.010 (§ 28.12.010)
• Overlay Zone descriptions, including Downtown Historic District (-DH) exemptions — § 28.23.050 (§ 28.23.050)
• Site Plan review applicability and relationship to landscape review — § 28.42.010–§ 28.42.020 (§ 28.42.010)
• Division 4, Landscape Standards (applicability, content, minimums, plan requirements) — § 28.43.010–§ 28.43.040 (§ 28.43.010)
• Fence, wall, retaining wall and gate rules — § 28.41.060 (measurement, front/side/rear rules, AG exceptions, prohibited materials, Administrative Permit exceptions) (§ 28.41.060)
• Campground and recreation screening/trash enclosure standards — § 28.37.010 and related campground sections (§ 28.37.010)
• Transitional housing screening and landscaping conditions — § 28.38.090 (§ 28.38.090)
• Alturas_ZoningCode.md

• Official Alturas code library