Avenal — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Avenal's zoning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (fences, walls, buffers, trees) across the city’s zoning districts. For application-level items (parking layout, design details, and development standards) consult the city’s zoning rules and related chapters — see Avenal Zoning and Avenal Development Standards. The code centralizes landscape rules in Chapter 9.52 (Landscape Standards) and then layers district-specific screening/landscape rules in each zone chapter (e.g., 9.16, 9.18, 9.20, 9.26, 9.30, 9.32, 9.33, 9.36) — see § 9.52.010 and the district subsections below for the exact citations.

This page links to related local pages you will likely consult while planning: parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Key rules that apply citywide (what the ordinance actually says)

• Landscaping is required where the zoning chapters call for it and is implemented through Chapter 9.52 (Landscape Standards); the Chapter’s purpose includes screening incompatible uses, water efficiency (MWELO compliance), erosion control, and public safety (§ 9.52.010) — .
• Required landscaping locations: building setback areas and any open spaces visible from a public right-of-way; unused portions of a site must be landscaped unless the Director determines otherwise (§ 9.52.050) — .
• New residential developments must provide front-yard automatic irrigation, minimum sod and two trees per lot (or one tree per unit in multi-family) and all required landscaping must be installed before Certificate of Occupancy (§ 9.52.060) — .
• Landscape plans and irrigation plans are required for most developments; the code lists required plan elements (hydrozones, WUCOLS, MAWA calculations, separate systems for trees/shrubs, etc.) in § 9.52.040–090 — .
• Fence and wall materials and maximum heights are controlled both in the zone chapters and by the design standards referenced in Chapter 9.50 (see each zone below for specifics) — see representative language in § 9.52.070 and zone sections cited below.

District-by-district breakdown

Each subsection below lists the controlling local zone chapter and the landscaping / screening rules that are applied in that district. Where the ordinance references other standards (e.g., site plan review or Chapter 9.50 design rules), those cross-references are shown.

Notes on reading: the code is published as Title 9 — Zoning Ordinance. For permitted uses and general chapter purpose see the individual zone chapters (for example, § 9.16.010 and § 9.16.020 for R-1). Verify parcel-specific use allowances with the jurisdiction.

R-1 — Low Density Residential (Chapter 9.16)

• Purpose / where it applies: Applies to low-density single-family areas; see § 9.16.010 and permitted uses § 9.16.020 for the complete scope.
• Landscaping: Landscaped setbacks and yards are required as prescribed in Chapter 9.52; the R-1 chapter lists landscaping as required in § 9.16.150 (landscaping must be installed and maintained consistent with Chapter 9.52).
• Screening / fences / walls: See § 9.16.160 for screening rules; the R-1 chapter cross-references the general design standards in § 9.50.110. Typical yard limits and visibility-triangle provisions apply (check the zone text before designing tall front fences).

Practical: single-family projects must submit a landscape plan meeting Chapter 9.52, include front-yard trees and irrigation, and respect front-yard visibility requirements (§ 9.16.150–160).

R-2 — Medium Density Residential (Chapter 9.18)

• Purpose / permitted uses: See § 9.18.010–020.
• Landscaping: Required per Chapter 9.52; yards visible from the street must be planted and installed within six months after occupancy; artificial turf or permeable surfaces allowed in some areas (§ 9.18.160).
• Screening / fences / walls: § 9.18.170 sets fence heights: typically up to 4 ft in required front/street-side yards (top 1 ft to be see-through), hedges up to 3 ft allowed in front yards; up to 7 ft in rear/side yards; corner sight triangle rules apply; multi-family or subdivisions >30 lots are subject to site-plan review (§ 9.18.170) —

Practical: multi-unit projects will need a site-plan review and must show screening, materials, and heights consistent with § 9.18.170 and the design guidelines in Chapter 9.50.

R-3 — High Density Residential (Chapter 9.20)

• Purpose / permitted uses: See § 9.20.010–020.
• Landscaping: Required under Chapter 9.52; installation deadline and maintenance mirrors R-2 (install within six months; visible setback areas must be landscaped) (§ 9.20.150) —
• Screening / fences / walls: § 9.20.160 limits front/street-side fences to 4 ft (top foot see-through) and rear/side fences to 7 ft; corner-lot sight triangle rules apply; walls along arterials/collectors: 6–7 ft (§ 9.20.160) —

Practical: multi-family projects must provide required trees (one tree per unit under § 9.52.060) and meet automatic irrigation and landscape-plan standards; expect site-plan review.

C-H — Highway Commercial (Chapter 9.26)

• Purpose / permitted uses: See § 9.26.010–020.
• Landscaping: Buffer area landscaping of not less than 15 feet from lot lines adjoining a street is required unless area is covered by structures/parking (see § 9.26.120). Required landscaping must be installed prior to occupancy.
• Screening / fences / walls: Front-yard fences/walls normally limited to 3 ft in C-H; where commercial adjoins residential, a 7‑ft solid wall plus a 10‑ft landscape buffer is required. Walls along arterials/collectors must be 6–7 ft; allowable materials enumerated in the zone (concrete/block, lattice, wood, wrought iron) (§ 9.26.130) —

Practical: commercial projects along State highway corridors may have larger landscaped setbacks and must include the 15‑ft street buffer and consult Chapter 9.52 and the City’s standard drawings for curb/mow-strip details.

C-S and C-C — Service / Community Commercial (Chapters 9.28, 9.22)

• Landscaping: Each chapter requires landscaping per Chapter 9.52 and commonly requires a 10–15 ft buffer from the lot line adjoining a street depending on the commercial subzone (§ 9.28.120, § 9.22.120) —
• Screening / fences / walls: Typical rules include 3 ft front yard maximum, 7 ft solid wall + 10 ft buffer where commercial abuts residential, and parking storage areas must be screened with walls/fences (see § 9.28.130 and § 9.22.130). Materials lists and sight-triangle rules are included.

Practical: new parking areas must be landscaped to Chapter 9.54 and Chapter 9.52; if your site adjoins residential, design the 7‑ft wall + 10‑ft buffer into your site plan.

M-1 / M-2 — Light & Heavy Industrial (Chapters 9.30, 9.32)

• Landscaping: Industrial zones require landscaping per Chapter 9.52; when abutting highways, landscaping may be required in a 25‑ft front setback and a 10‑ft easement is required where industrial abuts residential (see § 9.30.120, § 9.32.120).
• Screening / fences / walls: Where industrial adjoins residential, a minimum 7‑ft solid wall plus a 10‑ft landscape buffer is mandated; open storage must be screened by a 7‑ft solid fence/wall (see § 9.30.130 and § 9.32.130). The Director may allow increased wall heights to mitigate documented noise.

Practical: industrial applicants should plan for significant perimeter screening when parcels abut residential zones; noise studies may be required to justify taller walls.

PF — Public Facilities (Chapter 9.33)

• Landscaping: PF zone requires landscaping per Chapter 9.52 (§ 9.33.130) and may require larger front setbacks in some cases.
• Screening / fences / walls: Block walls of 7 ft are required along side/rear lines abutting residential zones; fences/walls up to 7 ft generally permitted, but front-yard limits apply (4 ft in required front yards) (§ 9.33.140) —

Practical: public facility projects (parks, utilities) still must meet the landscape standards (including water-efficiency and tree spacing).

O — Open Space / Parks & Recreation (Chapter 9.36)

• Landscaping: Areas around disturbed building/parking must be landscaped with native/natural materials; see § 9.36.130.
• Screening / fences / walls: Where property abuts residential zones, the code requires a minimum 6‑ft solid wood or masonry fence (3 ft allowed in front yard) and outdoor storage must be screened with 7‑ft fences/walls (§ 9.36.140) —

Practical: open-space projects are still expected to submit landscape and irrigation plans meeting Chapter 9.52 and to protect street sight lines and utility clearances.

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant standards

Checklist

• Prepare a landscape & irrigation plan meeting Chapter 9.52 (hydrozones, MAWA, WUCOLS, irrigation details, separate tree/shrub systems) — § 9.52.040.
• Show all building setback areas and public-facing yard areas planted per § 9.52.050 and the zone landscaping subsection (e.g., § 9.20.150, § 9.28.120).
• Provide required street-side buffer widths (10–25 ft depending on zone) and the 7‑ft wall + 10‑ft buffer where commercial/industrial abuts residential (if applicable) — see § 9.26.130, § 9.32.130.
• Specify fence/wall materials and heights consistent with the applicable zone (front yard ≤4 ft, rear/side ≤7 ft, arterials 6–7 ft, materials lists in zone chapters) — see the zone screening sections (e.g., § 9.18.170, § 9.26.130).
• Show tree quantities and spacing (residential: 2 trees per single-family lot or 1 tree per unit multi-family) and submit tree sizes/containers (min. 15 gal for new trees) — § 9.52.060.
• Coordinate with sight-line rules at corners / traffic safety triangles (no obstructions >36 inches in specified corner triangles) — see zone sight-triangle language (e.g., § 9.22.130) and design guidelines in § 9.50.110.
• If proposing noise walls or walls taller than code limits, prepare a noise study; taller walls require Planning Commission approval in some zones — see relevant zone language (e.g., § 9.20.160, § 9.14.160)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Avenal requires landscaping and screening as part of most development: submit a landscape+irrigation plan that follows Chapter 9.52, plant required street trees and front-yard sod/trees for new homes, install landscaping before occupancy, and follow zone-specific fence and wall height/material rules (common rules: front fences low and mostly see-through; rear/side fences up to 7 ft; where commercial/industrial meets residential you must provide a 7‑ft wall + 10‑ft buffer). Verify corner sight triangles and any need for a noise study if you plan taller walls.

Source References

• City of Avenal, Title 9 — Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 9.52, Landscape Standards (purpose, plan requirements, installation timing) — § 9.52.010–090.
• City of Avenal zone chapters (representative citations used above): R-1 (§ 9.16.150–160) ; R-2 (§ 9.18.160–170) ; R-3 (§ 9.20.150–160) ; C-H (§ 9.26.120–130) ; C-S (§ 9.28.120–130) ; C-C (§ 9.22.120–130) ; M-1 (§ 9.30.120–130) ; M-2 (§ 9.32.120–130) ; PF (§ 9.33.130–140) ; O (§ 9.36.130–140) .
• Design standards cross-reference: Chapter 9.50 design/fence materials standards (referenced in multiple zone screening sections) — see zone text citations above.

Retrieved passages

• Avenal Zoning Code (Chapter 9.52) High relevance show source text
• Avenal Zoning Code (Chapter 9.52) High relevance show source text
• Avenal Zoning Code (Chapter 9.80.) High relevance show source text
• Avenal Zoning Code (Title 9) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 9.50.110 (Chapter 9.80.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 9.50.110 (Chapter 9.54.) High relevance show source text
• Avenal Zoning Code (Chapter 9.52.) High relevance show source text
• Avenal Zoning Code (Chapter 9.54.) High relevance show source text
• Avenal Zoning Code (Title 9) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• City of Avenal, Title 9 — Zoning Ordinance, Chapter **9.52**, Landscape Standards (purpose, plan requirements, installation timing) — **§ 9.52.010–090**. (Title 9)
• City of Avenal zone chapters (representative citations used above): **R-1** (§ **9.16.150–160**) ; **R-2** (§ **9.18.160–170**) ; **R-3** (§ **9.20.150–160**) ; **C-H** (§ **9.26.120–130**) ; **C-S** (§ **9.28.120–130**) ; **C-C** (§ **9.22.120–130**) ; **M-1** (§ **9.30.120–130**) ; **M-2** (§ **9.32.120–130**) ; **PF** (§ **9.33.130–140**) ; **O** (§ **9.36.130–140**) .
• Design standards cross-reference: Chapter **9.50** design/fence materials standards (referenced in multiple zone screening sections) — see zone text citations above.
• Avenal_ZoningCode.md