Local zoning · Bell Gardens

Bell Gardens — Landscaping and Screening

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

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page distills how Bell Gardens regulates landscaping, screening, fences and walls under Title 9, Zoning and Planning Regulations, with a focus on practical compliance for projects of all sizes. Use this alongside the city’s Bell Gardens zoning & planning overview, detailed Bell Gardens Zoning, Bell Gardens Land Use, and Bell Gardens Development Standards.

At a glance: landscaping is required in residential/open space front and street‑side yards, nonresidential setbacks and a percentage of parking areas; evergreen plantings are used for screening; fences/walls have specific materials and height rules; mechanical equipment and trash areas must be screened; and parkway plantings have their own limits and irrigation rules (BGMC Ch. 9.34; Ch. 9.32; Ch. 9.44). For references cited below, see the Source References section.

Citywide Landscaping and Screening Essentials

Applicability and hierarchy. Chapter 9.34 applies to all landscaping citywide; where a project is subject to the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), MWELO controls in case of conflict per § 9.34.010 .
Residential/open space yards. In all open space and residential zones, the front yard and any side yard abutting a street or alley must be landscaped, except for driveways and entry walks, per § 9.34.020 .
Nonresidential areas and parking. In nonresidential zones, all required setbacks must be landscaped and irrigated; at least 5% of the total parking area, including drive aisles, must be landscaped (with some discretion to concentrate it if lots aren’t visible from the street) per § 9.34.030. Minimum landscape strip/planter width is 3 ft; screening by evergreen shrubs should approximate the required fence/wall/hedge height; and any setback‑required wall that is offset from the lot line must have the intervening strip landscaped and maintained (§ 9.34.030(A)–(D)) . First time you address on‑site stalls and aisles, see Bell Gardens Parking.
Parkway rules. Parkway areas must be landscaped and maintained by the adjacent owner; drought‑tolerant/low‑growing plants are required; height is capped at 36 inches and continuous hedges/screens are not allowed. Artificial turf is prohibited in parkways; certain non‑vegetative materials (e.g., decomposed granite, pavers) are allowed with a Public Works encroachment permit and placement criteria; irrigation in residential parkways must be low‑flow/drip with no continuously pressurized main lines in the right‑of‑way, per § 9.34.050 .
Artificial turf. Citywide caps limit artificial turf to no more than 50% of landscaped area in residential yards (§ 9.34.020(A)(3)), and in nonresidential zones it is limited to setback areas and prohibited within parking areas; nonresidential use of turf in setbacks is capped at 50% (§ 9.34.030(C)(2)). Existing artificial turf prior to adoption is nonconforming and alterations of 50% or more must comply (§ 9.34.020(A)(4), § 9.34.030(C)(3)) . If your site has prior installations, review Bell Gardens Nonconforming Uses.
Yard paving limit (residential). In front yards of residential uses, paving and hardscape cannot exceed 50% of the front yard area per § 9.46.010(C) .
Fences, walls, hedges: definitions, materials, heights.
- A “fence” provides at least 80% light/visibility; anything less is a “wall” (§ 9.32.010). A “hedge” acts like a wall if it provides less than 80% visibility starting 6 ft above grade (§ 9.32.020) .
- Permitted fencing materials: finished concrete block, decorative wrought iron, decorative picket, chain‑link; razor/barbed wire prohibited (§ 9.32.080) .
- Heights (general): typical max in side/rear yards is 6 ft, with up to 8 ft allowed if the portion over 6 ft is decorative wrought iron; front‑yard walls max 42 in (a combined low wall + open fence to 5 ft is allowed if the solid portion is max 24 in) (§ 9.32.030) .
- Block wall standards: decorative finish/cap required; articulation (e.g., pilasters, pockets) at least every 15 ft where visible; major rebuilds (>50%) trigger current standards; new residential subdivisions and all commercial/industrial projects must provide masonry perimeter walls (§ 9.32.090(F)) .
- Where a required wall is set back from a lot line, the gap must be landscaped and maintained (§ 9.34.030(D)) .
- Barrier walls up to 7 ft may be approved within 5 ft of a street/highway to separate a larger area via planning commission approval and site plan review (§ 9.32.040) .
- Openings up to 20 ft allowed for ingress/egress in required masonry walls (§ 9.32.050); plot plan submittal is required for any fence/wall (§ 9.32.060) .
- The planning commission may modify fence/wall/hedge rules for government sites, where other laws require a greater height, or where hardships exist (§ 9.32.070) . For relief pathways see Bell Gardens Variances and Exceptions.
What can project into yards. Landscaping elements (trees, shrubs, plants) and planting boxes/planters up to 42 in high may project into required yards (with limits near property lines) (§ 9.46.050) .
Screening of equipment. Across the zone chapters, roof and exterior mechanicals must be shielded from view with decorative screening or parapets; equipment is prohibited in front yards; exterior utility equipment may not be visible from the right‑of‑way and enclosures must match the building (§ tables in residential, commercial and industrial chapters) .
Trash enclosures. Multifamily (5+ units) and most nonresidential sites must maintain a dumpster enclosure; enclosures: 6 ft high masonry, solid metal self‑closing/latching gates, decorative trellis if required, and if visible from the street must be screened with landscaping and/or designed to be architecturally appealing (§ 9.44.010–.020) .

Special Use Cases with Added Screening/Landscaping

Self‑storage. Decorative perimeter wall/fence 6–8 ft high (no chain‑link), decorative trash enclosures, mechanical screening, and minimum 5% lot landscaping; specific gate and security requirements (§ 9.20.145(C)) . Note signs are barred from fences/walls here; for broader sign rules see Bell Gardens Signage.
Automobile sales. Where abutting residential, provide a 6 ft decorative masonry wall stepped down to 42 in within 10 ft of street property lines; plus an added 5% parking‑area landscaping beyond Chapter 9.34’s 5% baseline (total 10%) distributed throughout visible areas (§ 9.20.070(B)(1), (B)(6)) .
Automobile service stations. Perimeter walls next to residential; raised planters along street frontages and building fronts; corner planters; curbed planters; permanent irrigation; low shrubs near sidewalks; and restroom entrance screening (§ 9.20.080(C), (E)(1)–(3), (B)(1), (B)(2)(a)) .
Mobile home parks (select standards). Required yard landscaping and context‑based wall/fence heights; minimum 5% landscaped area within parks, with allowances for preserved trees to count (§ 9.10.040 tables and mobile home park standards) .

District-by-District — What Landscaping and Screening Mean in Each Zone

Below are the districts used in Bell Gardens zoning (with their own use and development matrices) and how Chapter 9.34/9.32 provisions “plug in” day‑to‑day. For permitted uses, consult the zone land‑use matrices in the Zoning chapters and our linked Bell Gardens Land Use page.

O‑S — Open Space

Purpose/uses: Open space uses per land‑use matrix (e.g., crops, cemeteries, golf courses, parks/events by permit) (§ 9.08.030; Table 9.08A) .
Key dimensional standards: See Table 9.08B (typical front 20 ft, side 10% of lot width min 5 ft, rear 10 ft, height 35 ft/2 stories) and equipment screening requirement (§ 9.08.040/Table 9.08B) .
Landscaping/screening: Front and street‑side yards must be landscaped (§ 9.34.020) ; mechanical equipment must be decoratively screened (§ 9.08/Table 9.08B) .
Where it applies: Parcels zoned O‑S citywide.

R‑1 — Low Density Residential

Purpose/uses: Primarily single‑family; intensity per § 9.10.020(A) .
Key dimensional standards: See Table 9.10B (front 5 ft for commercial/residential split does not apply here; use Table 9.10B for setbacks/coverage/height) and residential design standards referencing landscaping (§ 9.10.040/Table 9.10B) .
Landscaping/screening: Front/street‑side yards landscaped (§ 9.34.020); front yard paving limited to 50% (§ 9.46.010(C)); fence/wall heights and materials per Ch. 9.32; equipment screening per residential table references (§ 9.10.040/Table 9.10B) .
Where it applies: Parcels zoned R‑1.

R‑2 — Medium Density Residential

Purpose/uses: 2–3 unit dwellings, per § 9.10.020(B) .
Key dimensional standards: See Table 9.10B (setbacks, height, lot coverage) (§ 9.10.040) .
Landscaping/screening: Same as R‑1 for yard landscaping and paving cap; equipment screening per residential table; fences/walls per Ch. 9.32 .

R‑3 — High Density Residential

Purpose/uses: Multifamily of four or more units, up to 30 du/acre (§ 9.10.020(C)) .
Key dimensional standards: See Table 9.10B (§ 9.10.040) .
Landscaping/screening: Same Chapter 9.34 yard landscaping; equipment screening and fences/walls per Tables/Ch. 9.32; trash enclosures required for 5+ unit rentals per Ch. 9.44 (§ 9.44.010(A)) .

R‑4 — Very High Density Residential

Purpose: Identified in § 9.10.010; very high‑density residential district is designated in the zone list (§ 9.10.010). Not found in retrieved materials: a dedicated development standards table or specific landscaping departures from R‑3. Verify with the jurisdiction .

M‑U — Mixed‑Use Commercial/Residential

Typical uses: Mixed housing/retail/service (see Table 9.12A for commercial uses such as restaurants, retail; residential by entitlement where shown) .
Dimensional highlights: See Table 9.12B (FAR up to 4.0, height up to 60 ft) (§ 9.12.040/Table 9.12B) .
Landscaping/screening: Refer to Ch. 9.34; equipment screenings required as noted in Table 9.12B; fencing per Ch. 9.32; parking lot landscaping minimums apply (§§ 9.34.030, Table 9.12B) .

C‑S, C‑3, C‑4 — Commercial Districts

Typical uses: Retail, services, restaurants; check Table 9.12A for specifics and conditions; self‑storage is typically in C‑M, not these zones (§ 9.12.030/Table 9.12A) .
Dimensional highlights: See Table 9.12B for FAR and heights by district (§ 9.12.040/Table 9.12B) .
Landscaping/screening: Nonresidential landscape minimums (§ 9.34.030), equipment screening per Table 9.12B; special use layers (auto sales/service) add walls and planter rules (§§ 9.20.070–.080) .

C‑M — Commercial Manufacturing

Typical uses: More intensive retail/warehouse hybrids (e.g., home improvement warehouse) and self‑storage; see Table 9.12A (§ 9.12.030) .
Dimensional highlights: Table 9.12B caps FAR at 2.0; height 35 ft (§ 9.12.040) .
Landscaping/screening: Ch. 9.34 landscaping; equipment screening per commercial table; fences/walls per Ch. 9.32. C‑M must also meet industrial performance standards (§ 9.12.050) .

M‑1 — Light Industrial

Purpose/uses: Light industrial near commercial/residential; controlled for nuisance impacts (§ 9.14.020(A)) .
Dimensional highlights: See Table 9.14B (FAR 2.0, lot coverage 90%, typical setbacks, height 60 ft) (§ 9.14.040) .
Landscaping/screening: Landscaping per Ch. 9.34; extensive screening requirements for mechanical/utility equipment; fences/walls per Ch. 9.32; design standards require consistent new fence/wall materials and repair/replacement of deteriorated walls (§ 9.14/Table 9.14B) .

Overlays and Special Districts That Affect Landscaping/Screening

RPDD — Residential Planned Development District. Projects must deliver unified, harmonious development; common open space minimums and landscaping plans are conditioned; where conflicts arise, RPDD standards prevail over base zoning (§ overlay standards including open space and landscape plans) .
IPDD — Industrial Planned Development District. Development plans must show yards, walls, walks, landscaping and buffering adequate to protect adjacent more restrictive uses (§ industrial planned development standards) .
Historic Preservation areas. Fences, walls, lighting and landscaping must be compatible with the character of historic resources (§ historic preservation standards) .
See Bell Gardens Overlay Districts and Bell Gardens Historic Preservation for more context.

Key Standards at a Glance

Topic	Citywide Standard	Where it applies	Code Reference
Residential/open space yard landscaping	Front yard and street‑side/alley side yard must be landscaped	All O‑S and R‑zones	§ 9.34.020
Nonresidential parking landscape	Minimum 5% of total parking area landscaped; setbacks fully landscaped; min landscape width 3 ft	All nonresidential zones	§ 9.34.030(A)–(C)
Screening by planting	Use closely‑spaced evergreen shrubs at approx. the height of the required fence/wall/hedge	Where plans indicate screening	§ 9.34.030(B)
Parkway planting	Drought‑tolerant, low‑growing plants; max 36 in; no continuous hedge; artificial turf prohibited	All zones (parkway areas)	§ 9.34.050
Artificial turf cap	Max 50% of landscaped area (residential/open space); in nonresidential, limited to setbacks only (≤50%); prohibited in parking areas	Citywide	§ 9.34.020(A)(3) and § 9.34.030(C)(2)
Front‑yard paving cap	Paving/hardscape ≤50% of residential front yard	Residential uses	§ 9.46.010(C)
Fence/wall materials	Decorative block, wrought iron, decorative picket, chain‑link; no razor/barbed wire	Citywide	§ 9.32.080
Fence/wall heights	Front yard walls ≤42 in (or combo wall/fence ≤5 ft with ≤24 in solid wall); side/rear up to 6 ft (8 ft if upper portion is wrought iron)	Citywide	§ 9.32.030
Perimeter masonry walls	Required for new residential subdivisions and all commercial/industrial development	Citywide	§ 9.32.090(F)
Rooftop/exterior equipment screening	Decorative screening; keep below parapet/top of screen; no front‑yard placement; conceal plumbing/utility equipment	All zones (per zone tables)	Res: § 9.10/Table 9.10B; Com: § 9.12/Table 9.12B; Ind: § 9.14/Table 9.14B
Trash enclosures	6 ft high masonry walls; solid metal self‑closing/latching gates; screened/architecturally compatible when visible	Multifamily 5+ units; nonresidential	§ 9.44.010–.020

Note: Some projects may require administrative review. Fences/walls and equipment installations commonly trigger a Type 1 site plan review (§ 9.58.020). For submittal/decision steps, consult Bell Gardens Design Review and the zoning code’s site plan review chapter .

Checklist

Identify your base zone/overlay and confirm applicable landscaping/screening rules in Ch. 9.34 and Ch. 9.32; check zone tables for equipment screening.
For residential/open space: landscape the front and street‑side/alley side yard; limit front‑yard paving to 50% (§§ 9.34.020, 9.46.010(C)) .
For nonresidential: landscape all setbacks; provide at least 5% parking‑area landscaping; maintain 3 ft minimum planter width; use evergreens for screening (§ 9.34.030) .
Design parkway improvements per § 9.34.050 (plant height ≤36 in; drought‑tolerant palette; turf prohibited; encroachment permit for approved hardscape) .
If using artificial turf: cap at 50% and follow location limits; none in parkways; nonconforming turf overhauls (≥50%) must comply (§§ 9.34.020, 9.34.030) .
Choose permitted fence/wall materials and meet height/cap/articulation rules; landscape any wall‑to‑property‑line gaps (§§ 9.32.080–.090; 9.34.030(D)) .
Screen rooftop and exterior equipment; keep out of front yards; conceal exterior utilities; match screen colors/materials (§ zone tables) .
Provide code‑compliant trash enclosures and screen when visible (§ 9.44.010–.020) .
If near residential: check use‑specific walls/landscaping for auto sales/service stations, self‑storage, mobile home parks, etc. (§§ 9.20.070–.080; 9.20.145) .
If needed, file a site plan review for fences/walls and similar exterior work (§ 9.58.020) and confirm if any overlay/historic standards add compatibility requirements (RPDD, IPDD, Historic) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Artificial turf specifics in § 9.34.080	The code references § 9.34.080 for requirements; detailed specs not shown in retrieved excerpts	Confirm exact product/performance specs with the city; treat 50% caps and location bans as minimum baseline
R‑4 residential standards	R‑4 is listed as a zone, but its current detailed standards were not shown	Not found in retrieved materials; verify R‑4 landscaping/screening/table details with Planning
“Evergreen shrubs… maintained at substantially the specified height”	Height equivalence to walls/fences is a performance standard, not a numeric value	Agree on shrub species/spacing and target height with staff during design review (§ 9.34.030(B))
Concentration of parking-area landscaping	Planning commission may allow concentration where lots aren’t street‑visible	Whether your site qualifies; show viewshed analysis in submittal (§ 9.34.030)
Front‑yard fence/wall combos	Max 42 in for walls; up to 5 ft only as a wall+open fence combo	Confirm details (pilaster widths, visibility) in § 9.32.030(B) with plans/elevations
Perimeter walls on phased sites	New commercial/industrial and subdivisions must include perimeter masonry walls	Phasing/triggers for existing campuses; coordinate in your entitlement package (§ 9.32.090(F))

Plain-English Summary

If you’re landscaping or changing walls/fences in Bell Gardens, plan for live plants in visible yards, keep residential front‑yard paving under half the area, dedicate at least 5% of nonresidential parking lots to landscaping, and use evergreen shrubs where screens are called for. Parkways must use drought‑tolerant, low‑growing plants (no artificial turf). Fences/walls must use approved materials and respect height limits, and new commercial/industrial projects and subdivisions must include decorative masonry perimeter walls. Hide rooftop/exterior equipment and provide solid trash enclosures with proper gates. When in doubt, bring a clear landscape plan to staff for quick review using the site plan review process.

Information Gaps

Full text of § 9.34.080 (Artificial turf) and any plant list referenced by the Community Development Department. Not found in retrieved materials.
Current R‑4 district development standards table. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

BGMC Title 9 (Zoning and Planning Regulations): General authority and minimums (§§ 9.01.010–.070)
Landscaping: applicability; residential/open space yard landscaping; nonresidential/parking landscaping; parkways; artificial turf references (§§ 9.34.010–.050, .080 ref)
Fences, walls, hedges: definitions, heights, materials, wall standards, barrier walls, openings, permits, modifications (Ch. 9.32, incl. §§ 9.32.010–.090)
Yard provisions: projections and front‑yard paving cap (§§ 9.46.050; 9.46.010(C))
Equipment screening in zone tables (Residential Table 9.10B; Commercial Table 9.12B; Industrial Table 9.14B)
Special uses: Auto sales; service stations; self‑storage (§§ 9.20.070–.080; 9.20.145)
Trash enclosures (Ch. 9.44)
Residential zones and purposes (§ 9.10.010–.020; Table 9.10B excerpts)
Commercial zones: use and development matrices (Tables 9.12A–B)
Industrial zones: M‑1 purpose and development matrix (§ 9.14.020; Table 9.14B)
Overlays: IPDD; RPDD; Historic preservation references (overlay sections)

Sources

Retrieved passages

CBC § 1 (§ 1) High relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
CFC § 000 High relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (Title 9.) High relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) High relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (Chapter 9.32.) Medium relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (chapter may) Medium relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code Medium relevance
Bell Gardens Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Bell Gardens code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping is required in the front yard of a Bell Gardens home?

In residential and open space zones, you must landscape the front yard and any side yard along a street or alley; only the driveway and a walkway to the entry are exempt. Also, no more than 50% of a residential front yard may be paved or hardscaped (§§ 9.34.020; 9.46.010(C)) .

How much landscaping do I need in a commercial parking lot?

At least 5% of the total parking area, including drive aisles, must be landscaped. If a lot is not visible from the street or neighbors, the planning commission may allow you to concentrate that percentage in visible areas through site plan review (§ 9.34.030) .

Are artificial turf front yards allowed in Bell Gardens?

Yes, but capped: artificial turf cannot exceed 50% of the landscaped area in residential zones, and it is prohibited within parking areas. In nonresidential zones, artificial turf may be used only within landscaped setback areas and cannot exceed 50% of that area. Artificial turf is banned in parkways (§§ 9.34.020(A)(3); 9.34.030(C)(2); 9.34.050) .

What are the fence and wall height limits in the front yard?

Front‑yard walls are limited to 42 inches. A combination low wall (max 24 in solid) plus open fence can reach up to 5 ft total height if it maintains at least 80% visibility in the fence portion. Side/rear yard fences are generally limited to 6 ft, with up to 8 ft allowed where the portion above 6 ft is decorative wrought iron (§ 9.32.030) .

Do I have to screen rooftop and exterior mechanical equipment?

Yes. Across residential, commercial and industrial development standards, rooftop/exterior equipment must be hidden behind a parapet/decorative screen, kept below the top of the screen, and exterior utility lines must be concealed. Equipment is prohibited in front yards, and screens must be compatible in design and color (§ zone tables: Res Table 9.10B; Com Table 9.12B; Ind Table 9.14B) .

What are the rules for parkway landscaping along my curb?

Parkways must be planted with drought‑tolerant, low‑growing materials (max 36 in tall), without creating continuous hedges/screens. Artificial turf is not allowed in parkways. Certain hardscape like decomposed granite or pavers may be approved with an encroachment permit, and irrigation must use low‑flow/subsurface methods (§ 9.34.050) .

Are perimeter walls required for new developments?

Yes. All new residential subdivisions and all commercial and industrial developments must provide masonry perimeter walls that meet decorative and articulation standards (§ 9.32.090(F)) .

When do I need a city review for a new wall or fence?

Fences and walls require a plot plan submittal; they also commonly require a Type 1 site plan review. Your submission should show property lines, driveways/streets, proposed fence/wall lines, and elevations with heights (§§ 9.32.060; 9.58.020) .

Do trash enclosures have to be landscaped or screened?

If an enclosure is visible from the street, it must be screened with landscaping and/or designed to be architecturally appealing, and it must meet minimum 6 ft masonry wall and solid gate standards (§ 9.44.020) .

Can I use chain‑link for required walls?

Chain‑link is a permitted fencing material generally, but chain‑link cannot be used to satisfy certain special use screening (e.g., self‑storage perimeter). For required block walls (e.g., perimeter walls) decorative masonry and caps/articulation are required (§§ 9.32.080; 9.32.090; 9.20.145(C)(1)) .

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