Artesia — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Artesia's zoning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (trees, hedges, planter dimensions, fences and walls) under Title 9 (Planning & Zoning). It is focused strictly on the local zoning provisions (Article 14 fences/walls/hedges and Article 15 landscaping, plus zone-specific development standards) and tells you where to look in the code to comply. For related topics see Artesia Development Standards, Artesia Parking, Artesia Design Review, Artesia Overlay Districts, Artesia ADUs and California Building Standards Code.

What the Code requires — quick bullets

• Minimum landscaped area for most zones: 5% of gross lot area (except R-1 and A-1) — § 9-2.1502.
• Minimum planter/landscape width: 3 ft (minimum horizontal dimension) — § 9-2.1503(a).
• Screening plant material: screening must be evergreen shrubs, closely spaced and maintained to the same height as the fence/wall/hedge they replace — § 9-2.1504.
• Maintenance and irrigation: landscaping must be maintained and irrigated by an automatic irrigation system; irrigation plan must be approved by the Planning Director — § 9-2.1505 and § 9-2.1506.
• Water-efficiency: Artesia adopts the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance — § 9-2.1550–1553.
• Fences/walls/hegdes: front yard fence height generally 42 in, side/rear fences generally 6 ft (single-family side/rear 6 ft; exceptions for corner/streetside areas) — § 9-2.1401 and hedges rules § 9-2.1402. Allowed materials limited to masonry, wrought iron, heavy-duty decorative vinyl, cedar, redwood; chain link limited to non-front yards and built to heavy-duty spec — § 9-2.1401(d).

Below I synthesize the ordinance into district-specific guidance and the exact code cites you’ll need when preparing plans.

How to read the district subsections

Each district entry below lists (1) the district name in bold, (2) the ordinance citation that sets its development standards, and (3) the landscaping/screening items that materially affect design or approval. Where the code references Article 15 or Article 14, I cite those sections directly.

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential) — § 9-2.2805

• Purpose/typical uses: single-family dwellings; accessory uses allowed per R-1 rules — § 9-2.2805.
• Key landscaping/screening rules: Front yard landscaping requirement — at least 40% of the front yard must be landscaped and maintained; irrigation must be automatic and maintained; front setback rules tie to landscape preservation — § 9-2.2805(g).
• Fences & hedges: front-yard fence limit 42 in; side/rear fence height 6 ft (with street-side exceptions) — § 9-2.1401 and hedges follow same height limits as fences — § 9-2.1402.
• Verify with the Planning Director: any modification or variance (administrative or Planning Commission) — see variance rules § 9-2.1705 and fence/wall modification rules § 9-2.1403.

A-1 (Agriculture − Single‑Family Residential)

• Purpose/uses: agricultural plus single‑family residential; Article 5 establishes the zone — § 9-2.501.
• Landscaping: A-1 is explicitly exempt from the 5% lot landscaping requirement that applies to most other zones — § 9-2.1502 (note exception list includes R-1 and A-1).
• Fences & hedges: same fence/hege height and material limits as R-1 where residential lots are involved — § 9-2.1401–1402.

M‑D‑R (Medium Density Residential) — § 9-2.2953

• Purpose/uses: attaches duplexes and uses allowed in R-1 (see § 9-2.2951–2953) — § 9-2.2951–2953.
• Landscaping: yards must be landscaped; front yards required and expressly “must be landscaped” for front yard area — § 9-2.2953(c)(1); Article 15 applies for planting dimensions and irrigation.
• Screening/fences: hedges are treated under § 9-2.1402 and allowed fence materials and limitations in § 9-2.1401(d) apply.

M‑R (Multiple Residential) — § 9-2.2904

• Purpose/uses: apartments, condominiums; outdoor living and landscape requirements appear in § 9-2.2904(h) and § 9-2.2904(i).
• Landscaping: uses must comply with Article 15; common open space, screening and trash enclosures must be landscaped/screened per zone standards — § 9-2.2904(i) and Article 15.

M‑C‑R (Mixed Commercial / Single‑Family Residential)

• Purpose/uses/development standards: hybrid zone; landscaping, trash enclosures and walls have explicit standards in the M-C-R article — see Latin rules referencing Article 15 and walls; hedges/fences follow Article 14 — § 9-2.?? (see zone article) and § 9-2.1401–1403.

C‑G (General Commercial) — § 9-2.3205

• Purpose/typical uses: retail and service uses; some outdoor display is allowed (e.g., nurseries) — § 9-2.3205. Landscaping must comply with Article 15 and a masonry wall of 6 ft is required where the lot adjoins residential zones — § 9-2.3205(g–h).

C‑S‑P (Service & Professional) and CPD (Commercial Planned Development) — § 9-2.3304

• Commercial zones require landscaping per Article 15; CPD and C‑S‑P add specific rules (e.g., trash enclosures must be block walls screened with vines/shrubs and landscaping must be physically separated from parking) — § 9-2.3304(i) and § 9-2.3304(i)(1–4).

M‑1 / M‑2 (Light / Heavy Manufacturing) — § 9-2.3403

• Landscaping: Article 15 applies; M‑zones require a five foot wide planting bed/strip along the entire frontage (except driveways) in addition to other Article 15 requirements — § 9-2.3403(i). Fences and walls are governed by Article 14 — § 9-2.3403(h) and § 9-2.1401–1403.

OS‑R (Open Space & Recreation) — § 9-2.3105

• Landscaping: OS‑R requires setbacks and yard landscaping per § 9-2.3105; rooftop and mechanical screening rules also apply.

MU‑O (Mixed‑Use Overlay) — § 9-2.4801–4808

• The MU‑O overlay allows properties to be built under either the overlay standards or the underlying zone; where MU‑O applies, Article 15 generally still governs landscaping unless the MU‑O article explicitly modifies it — see § 9-2.4802(b) and Design Review applicability § 9-2.4808. Confirm which standard you must use when the overlay is present.

Most decision‑relevant standards (at‑a‑glance)

(See the Source References below for the precise sections to quote in plans.)

Practical guidance & how applicants use these rules

• Put a landscape and irrigation plan on every plan set when a project is subject to discretionary or plan review. Article 15 requires an irrigation plan and automatic irrigation for required landscaping — § 9-2.1506. Submit it for Planning Director approval.
• Use evergreen shrubs where the code calls for screening; a living screen must match the height of the wall/fence it screens if plants are used in place of a wall — § 9-2.1504. If you choose a fence instead, design it to match the ordinance material and height rules in § 9-2.1401.
• For parking-lot projects, allocate 8% of the parking area to planting islands, ensure planter minimums (3 ft width) and provide one minimum‑15‑gallon tree per five single‑row spaces — see Article 11 parking landscaping rules. (Article 11 contains the detailed parking lot landscaping subsection.)
• For projects abutting residential zones: expect a 6 ft masonry wall requirement in many commercial zones and for CPD projects — § 9-2.3205(g) and § 9-2.3304(h). Prepare to show wall details and vine/shrub screening for trash enclosures per the applicable zone rules.
• If your proposal modifies established fences/walls/hedges because of topography or other hardship, use the modification route in § 9-2.1403 (subject to design review in Article 20) or apply for administrative variance § 9-2.1705.

Checklist

• Landscape and irrigation plan prepared and stamped if required (Article 15; irrigation plan per § 9-2.1506) — § 9-2.1506.
• Show total landscaped area and verify it meets § 9-2.1502 (5% except R‑1/A‑1) — § 9-2.1502.
• Planting details: planter widths ≥ 3 ft, groundcover ≤ 50% of planter area, tree/shrub sizes per code — § 9-2.1503.
• Screening plan between dwellings or adjacent lots; show evergreen shrubs or 6‑ft solid fence (if permitted) — § 9-2.1504 and R‑1 screening specifics where applicable.
• Fence/wall detail: height, materials (allowed list), and property-line survey or adjacent-owner consent — § 9-2.1401(d) and § 9-2.1401(c)(1–2).
• Parking-lot landscaping: show ≥ 8% landscape area and tree count if project has ≥ 5 spaces — Article 11 parking landscaping rules.
• If using landscape ornaments/statues > 6 ft outside front/side yard setbacks, prepare for administrative review (§ 9-2.1509) — § 9-2.1509.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

If you’re building or altering a property in Artesia, you must show a landscape and irrigation plan that meets the City’s Article 15 rules: minimum planter sizes (3 ft), water‑efficient automatic irrigation, and routine maintenance. Most zones must provide at least 5% landscaped area (R‑1 and A‑1 are exceptions); front yards in single‑family zones must be heavily landscaped (40% of the front yard). Screening between properties should use evergreen shrubs or a 6‑ft solid fence; fence heights, materials and where chain link is allowed are tightly regulated. See the cited code sections below and check with Planning for overlay or parcel‑specific exceptions.

Source References

• Article 15, Landscaping — § 9-2.1501–1509, § 9-2.1502, § 9-2.1503, § 9-2.1504, § 9-2.1505, § 9-2.1506, § 9-2.1509.
• Water Efficient Landscape adoption — § 9-2.1550–1553.
• Article 14, Fences, Walls, and Hedges — § 9-2.1401–1403 (fence heights, allowed materials, hedges, modifications).
• R‑1 Development Standards (single‑family) — § 9-2.2805 (front‑yard landscape %, setbacks, related rules).
• C‑G Development Standards — § 9-2.3205 (walls and Article 15 requirement).
• M‑1 & M‑2 Development Standards — § 9-2.3403 (planting bed along frontage + Article 15).
• CPD Development Standards — § 9-2.3304 (landscaping, trash enclosures, separation from parking).
• Mixed‑Use Overlay (MU‑O) — § 9-2.4801–4808 (overlay applicability; design review rules) — verify which standard applies for properties within MU‑O.
• Parking lot landscaping & parking rules — Article 11 (Off‑Street Parking & Loading): parking lot landscaping requirements (minimum landscape % and planter/tree requirements) — see Article 11 parking landscaping language.
• Landscape accessories / Administrative review threshold — § 9-2.1509.

Information Gaps

• Exact cross‑references inside some zone articles where tree removal / replacement is referenced across multiple special project types (e.g., urban lot split / ADU-specific tree rules) — the code contains tree‑specific clauses in a handful of development subsections; confirm for parcel‑specific projects. (See tree language in urban‑lot split / two‑unit provisions.)
• If you need the single, exact numbered subsection line for the parking‑lot landscaping paragraph inside Article 11 (the text is in Article 11 but the snippet’s precise §nnnn that hosts the "(f) Required Parking Lot Landscaping" label is embedded in the Article 11 text). Verify the exact §9-2.11xx subsection with Planning when preparing submittals.

Retrieved passages

• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 77.03) High relevance show source text
• California Fire Code (section unless) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 8) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 9) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 10) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Title Law) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (section unless) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 77.03) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 9-2.3402.1.) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 14) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 12) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 11) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (chapter of) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (section must) High relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 9-2.4205.) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (chapter have) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (chapter or) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (chapter have) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (section of) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (chapter or) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 500 (Article 11) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 77.04) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 14) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 12) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 11) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 11.) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 12) Medium relevance show source text
• Artesia Zoning Code (Article 11.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Article 15, Landscaping — **§ 9-2.1501–1509**, **§ 9-2.1502**, **§ 9-2.1503**, **§ 9-2.1504**, **§ 9-2.1505**, **§ 9-2.1506**, **§ 9-2.1509**. (Article 15)
• Water Efficient Landscape adoption — **§ 9-2.1550–1553**. (§ 9-2.1550)
• Article 14, Fences, Walls, and Hedges — **§ 9-2.1401–1403** (fence heights, allowed materials, hedges, modifications). (Article 14)
• R‑1 Development Standards (single‑family) — **§ 9-2.2805** (front‑yard landscape %, setbacks, related rules). (§ 9-2.2805)
• C‑G Development Standards — **§ 9-2.3205** (walls and Article 15 requirement). (§ 9-2.3205)
• M‑1 & M‑2 Development Standards — **§ 9-2.3403** (planting bed along frontage + Article 15). (§ 9-2.3403)
• CPD Development Standards — **§ 9-2.3304** (landscaping, trash enclosures, separation from parking). (§ 9-2.3304)
• Mixed‑Use Overlay (MU‑O) — **§ 9-2.4801–4808** (overlay applicability; design review rules) — verify which standard applies for properties within MU‑O. (§ 9-2.4801)
• Parking lot landscaping & parking rules — Article 11 (Off‑Street Parking & Loading): parking lot landscaping requirements (minimum landscape % and planter/tree requirements) — see Article 11 parking landscaping language. (Article 11)
• Landscape accessories / Administrative review threshold — **§ 9-2.1509**. (§ 9-2.1509)
• Artesia_ZoningCode.md

• Official Artesia code library