Avalon — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Avalon zoning code requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls/hedges, and tree management. It is grounded in the Avalon Municipal Code: key developer and site obligations are in § 9-7.801, § 9-7.802, and newer SB 9 / two‑unit and urban‑lot split provisions in § 9-5.701 and § 9-2.10. For broader context on objective dimensional rules see the city's Avalon Zoning and Avalon Development Standards pages; landscaping obligations also interact with parking plans, design review, and ADU rules (Avalon ADUs). Structural work must still meet State building rules such as the California Building Standards Code.

Notes up front: this page covers ONLY landscaping and screening rules inside Avalon’s zoning/title — it does not interpret building-code (Title 24) standards, permit fees, or tenant/landlord law.

What the code actually requires (plain-English synthesis, with controlling citations)

• Fences/walls/hedges: Avalon caps most front‑yard walls or fences at 42 inches, and allows up to 6 feet in most side and rear yards; special corner‑lot rules reduce heights within 5 feet of a side lot line (§ 9-7.801) . Hedges are treated the same as fences for height enforcement (§ 9-7.801) .

• Minimum planting dimensions and irrigation: Any required landscaped area or fixed planter must be at least 3 feet wide, and required landscaped areas must have a permanent irrigation/watering system—sprinklers or hose bibs not more than 100 ft apart—designed to cover the planting area (§ 9-7.802(a),(d)) .

• Plant screening standard: Where plants are used for screening the code expects evergreen shrubs, closely spaced and maintained to approximately the same height as any required fence/wall/hedge (i.e., plants as a visual barrier) (§ 9-7.802(b)) .

• Maintenance and nuisance: Required landscaping, fences and walls must be kept neat, healthy and usable; the owner is responsible for pruning, irrigation, replacement and litter removal (§ 9-7.802(c); § 9-7.103) .

• Projections and allowed landscape in setbacks: Landscape elements (trees, shrubs, planters and some stormwater features) are explicitly allowed in required yards/setbacks; other projections (eaves, cornices) have limited encroachment allowances (§ 9-7.404) .

• SB 9 / two‑unit and urban‑lot split specifics:

  • Front‑setback landscaping: Dwellings constructed under Avalon’s SB 9 two‑unit rules or urban lot‑split rules must leave the front setback area at least 50% landscaped with drought‑tolerant plants with vegetation and irrigation plans (plans often must be prepared or approved by a licensed landscape architect) (§ 9-5.701 and § 9-2.10) .
  • Screening between units: For two‑unit projects the code requires evergreen landscape screening between each dwelling and adjacent lots (not rights‑of‑way), with an installation specification such as one 15‑gallon plant per 5 linear feet of exterior wall (or 24‑inch box per 10 feet) and specimens at least 6 feet tall when installed; a 6‑foot solid fence is the alternative (§ 9-5.701(h)) .
  • Tree removal and replacement: Under the SB 9/urban‑lot split rules, no "mature tree" may be removed on an affected lot unless removal is necessary to construct a state‑law‑required dwelling; "mature tree" is defined by the code (diameter ≥ 6 in. or height ≥ 8 ft), and removals generally require replacement with two mature trees of the same type (or payment if replacement space is unavailable) (§ 9-2.10; related language in SB 9 two‑unit provisions) .

• Definitions: A "fence" and a "hedge" are defined in the code; a fence in Avalon is a structural device that can be at least 90% open vertical surface, while solid barriers are defined as "wall" (definitions: FENCE, HEDGE) .

District‑by‑District breakdown (where landscaping/screening rules differ)

Note: Avalon’s zoning districts are explicitly listed in § 9-4.101; landscaping requirements from Chapter 9-7 apply across zones unless a district text gives a specific exception. The districts that most often come up in landscaping/screening review are described below with the Avalon code citations.

LD (Low Density Residential and Low Intensity Recreational)

• Purpose: Preserve sloping undeveloped perimeter areas and limit grading; preserve scenic visual qualities (§ 9-5.201) .
• Typical permitted uses: Detached residential structures (slopes under 30°), parks, passive recreation, preservation uses (§ 9-5.202) .
• Key dimensional/development standards: Density limits, minimum lot size and setbacks vary by slope — see § 9-5.205; LD projects are subject to Chapter 9-7 standards for landscaping and fences (i.e., § 9-7.802/§ 9-7.801 still control) .
• Where it applies: Ridge/perimeter hillside areas as identified on the Zoning Map (§ 9-4.101; § 9-5.201) .

MD (Multiple Residential — Medium Density)

• Purpose/uses/standards: MD sits between LD and HD; MD follows Chapter 9-7 landscaping and fence standards; consult underlying MD sections for setbacks/lot coverage (see § 9-5 articles and § 9-7 for landscaping) .

HD (Multiple Residential — High Density)

• Purpose: Allow multiple dwelling units per lot using density and development standards as variables (§ 9-5.401) .
• Uses: Multiple family dwellings and accessory uses; certain areas have special HD sub‑standards (see § 9-5.405/§ 9-5.406 for downtown pockets) .
• Landscaping: HD projects remain subject to § 9-7.802 for required landscaped areas, and parking/landscaping rules for parking facilities apply where parking is required (§ 9-7.608, parking interior landscaping) .

C / SC / R/R (Commercial / Special Commercial / Resort‑Recreation)

• Purpose & uses: Commercial zones permit visitor‑serving and service uses; R/R has special visitor‑serving development rules; landscaping within commercial parking and screening between commercial and residential uses is handled by Chapter 9-7 (interior parking landscaping, walls between commercial parking and residential zones) (§ 9-7.608; § 9-7 Article 8) .

P (Public) and CE (Cemetery)

• Public facilities and parkland follow same Chapter 9-7 maintenance expectations; specific uses listed in § 9-6.501 and § 9-6.510 .

Summary: Unless a zone text explicitly exempts or adds to the rules, the Chapter 9‑7 development standards — especially § 9‑7.801 (fences/walls/hedges) and § 9‑7.802 (landscaping)—apply across all zones .

Quick reference table (most decision‑relevant standards)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (practical)

• Respect fence/wall/hedge heights: ≤ 42 in front yard; up to 6 ft in side/rear where allowed (§ 9-7.801) .
• For required landscaped areas: provide minimum 3 ft planter widths and a permanent irrigation/watering method (sprinkler or hose bib layout) (§ 9-7.802(a),(d)) .
• If using plants for screening, specify evergreen shrubs sized & spaced to achieve the required screening height; if an SB9/two‑unit project, submit evergreen planting schedule meeting § 9-5.701(h) (§ 9-7.802(b); § 9-5.701(h)) .
• For SB9 two‑unit or urban split projects, include front‑setback vegetation and irrigation plans showing ≥50% drought‑tolerant landscape in the front setback (§ 9-5.701; § 9-2.10) .
• If removing trees on an SB9 or urban‑lot split lot, provide justification, replacement plan (two like mature trees) or payment/arboreal report where replacement space is infeasible (§ 9-2.10) .
• Show compliance with applicable parking landscaping rules if parking is proposed or required; coordinate plans with Avalon Parking guidance (§ 9-7.608) .
• Include notes that required landscaping & fencing will be maintained per § 9-7.802(c) and § 9-7.103; plan for long‑term irrigation and replacement (maintenance obligations are enforceable) .
• If the site is in an overlay, historic district, or has other special constraints, verify additional overlay or historic preservation requirements (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Avalon requires modest, clearly‑specified landscaping and screening: small planting strips must be at least 3 feet wide and irrigated, front setbacks under SB9 projects must be ≥50% drought‑tolerant landscape, and fences/hedges are limited to 42 inches in front yards and 6 feet in side/rear yards; tree removal on SB9/urban‑split projects is tightly restricted and often requires replacement (§ 9-7.802; § 9-7.801; § 9-2.10; § 9-5.701) .

Source References

• § 9-7.801 (Fences, Walls and Hedges) — Avalon Municipal Code (fence/hedge heights & corner rules)
• § 9-7.802 (Landscaping: dimensions, screening, maintenance, irrigation) — Avalon Municipal Code
• § 9-7.103 (Maintenance of required facilities) — Avalon Municipal Code (general maintenance duty)
• § 9-7.404 (Location of other structures and projections; allows landscape elements in setbacks) — Avalon Municipal Code
• § 9-7.608 (Parking site plan / interior parking landscaping) — Avalon Municipal Code
• § 9-4.101 (List of zoning districts: LD, MD, HD, etc.) — Avalon Municipal Code
• § 9-5.201 (LD zone intent and standards) — Avalon Municipal Code
• § 9-5.401 (HD zone intent and uses) — Avalon Municipal Code
• § 9-5.701 (SB 9 two‑unit project standards — front setback landscaping, screening between units, tree rules in two‑unit context) — Avalon Municipal Code
• § 9-2.10 (SB 9 Urban Lot Splits — tree removal, front setback landscaping, other SB9 qualifiers) — Avalon Municipal Code
• Definitions: FENCE, HEDGE — Avalon Definitions (Chapter 9‑3)

If you need copies of the ordinance text or a site‑specific read (e.g., whether your parcel is in LD or subject to the SB9 rules), say which parcel or APN and I’ll point to the exact code paragraphs and any overlay constraints to check. Verify everything with the City's Planning Department prior to construction — some items (coastal permits, fire clearances) may add additional requirements or exceptions.

Retrieved passages

• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-7.801.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (section must) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-7.802.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-7.301.) High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-15.105.) Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 150 High relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-15.106.) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (chapter unless) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-3.613.) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (section must) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (chapter be) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Article 8) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Chapter 9-5.) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-5.204.) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 4511) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-3.624.) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Chapter 9-8.) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (§ 9-7.725.) Medium relevance show source text
• Avalon Zoning Code (Article 5.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 9 (§ 9-5.406.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 9 (title shall) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 9-7.801** (Fences, Walls and Hedges) — Avalon Municipal Code (fence/hedge heights & corner rules) (§ 9-7.801)
• **§ 9-7.802** (Landscaping: dimensions, screening, maintenance, irrigation) — Avalon Municipal Code (§ 9-7.802)
• **§ 9-7.103** (Maintenance of required facilities) — Avalon Municipal Code (general maintenance duty) (§ 9-7.103)
• **§ 9-7.404** (Location of other structures and projections; allows landscape elements in setbacks) — Avalon Municipal Code (§ 9-7.404)
• **§ 9-7.608** (Parking site plan / interior parking landscaping) — Avalon Municipal Code (§ 9-7.608)
• **§ 9-4.101** (List of zoning districts: **LD**, **MD**, **HD**, etc.) — Avalon Municipal Code (§ 9-4.101)
• **§ 9-5.201** (LD zone intent and standards) — Avalon Municipal Code (§ 9-5.201)
• **§ 9-5.401** (HD zone intent and uses) — Avalon Municipal Code (§ 9-5.401)
• **§ 9-5.701** (SB 9 two‑unit project standards — front setback landscaping, screening between units, tree rules in two‑unit context) — Avalon Municipal Code (§ 9-5.701)
• **§ 9-2.10** (SB 9 Urban Lot Splits — tree removal, front setback landscaping, other SB9 qualifiers) — Avalon Municipal Code (§ 9-2.10)
• **Definitions: FENCE, HEDGE** — Avalon Definitions (Chapter 9‑3) (Chapter 9)
• Avalon_ZoningCode.md

• Official Avalon code library