Local zoning · Bell

Bell — Landscaping and Screening

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

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Bell’s Title 17 Zoning sets citywide definitions and district-specific rules for how sites are planted, fenced, and visually screened. The code ties landscaping to site planning and conditions of approval, and requires buffers between more intensive commercial/industrial uses and homes. The baseline definitions of what counts as “landscaping” and “landscaped area,” and several cross-cutting screening rules, apply in addition to each zone’s development standards.

Bell evaluates landscaping as part of design review and site plan approvals, and updates are coordinated with zoning use lists and parking standards.

Core citywide rules that cut across all zones

  • Definitions. A “landscaped area” is an area where landscaping is required to be continuously maintained; “landscaping” includes trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, lawn, and limited structural features, but non-plant features may not exceed 7.5% of the landscaped area.
  • Corner-lot visibility. In all residential zones, maintain a 15'×15' triangular “vision clearance” area at corners, free of obstructions over 42 inches (including fences, shrubs, or tree branches), for traffic safety.
  • Mechanical equipment screening. In all commercial and manufacturing zones, rooftop or exterior mechanical equipment may exceed height limits only if screened from view.
  • Water conservation. City policy encourages hydrozoning, turf limits, drought-tolerant planting, and right-sized irrigation to avoid overspray/runoff, especially on residential projects over four units and on all commercial/industrial sites.

Parking-related landscaping and screening (citywide, with added C-zone minimums)

  • Parking lot screening next to homes. Any parking area for five or more vehicles that abuts a residentially zoned lot must be separated by a solid, view‑obscuring wall or fence 6 feet high, stepping to 36 inches where it runs alongside the neighbor’s front yard.
  • Commercial streetscape landscaping. Where a commercial (C) zoned lot adjoins a street, at least 6% of the gross lot area must be landscaped; curbs must protect planters; trees at public walks require root guards; minimum plant sizes are 15-gallon trees and 5-gallon shrubs; minimum planter width is 3 feet; only 10% of required landscaped area may be gravel/rock/bark, and not in parkways or required front yards; exposed dirt is not allowed.
  • Parking maintenance and irrigation. Where landscaping is provided within or along parking areas, adequate irrigation and maintenance are required.

District-by-district standards

The following summarizes landscaping, screening, and closely related yard/wall standards by zone. Zone names and symbols are established in § 17.12.010.

R-1 (Single-Family Residential)

  • Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials. Zone name appears in § 17.12.010.
  • Key landscaping rules:
    • Front yard must be landscaped; hardscape limited to a 12 ft driveway and a 42 in walkway, separated by a minimum 42 in landscaped strip. An exception via site plan review may allow up to 40% hardscape if at least 60% remains landscaped and materials meet the city’s palette.
    • Fences/walls: up to 3 ft 6 in in front yards and street side yards on reverse corners; up to 6 ft in side/rear yards.
    • Mechanical equipment may encroach into setbacks only if screened by a solid, view‑obscuring fence/wall and not visible from the right‑of‑way.
  • Where it applies: See city zoning districts map reference in § 17.12.020.

R-2 (Light Multiple Residential)

  • Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials. Zone name appears in § 17.12.010.
  • Key landscaping rules:
    • Same front yard landscape/hardscape formula as R‑1: landscaped front yard; 12 ft max driveway; 42 in walkway; 42 in minimum planted separator; optional site plan exception allows 60% landscape / 40% hardscape with approved materials.
    • Setback exceptions and screening: fences/walls up to 3 ft 6 in in front yards; up to 6 ft in side/rear; yard equipment may be within side/rear setbacks only if screened by a solid view‑obscuring fence/wall and not visible from the right‑of‑way.
  • Where it applies: See § 17.12.020 zoning map reference.

R-3 (Heavy Multiple Residential)

  • Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials. Zone name appears in § 17.12.010.
  • Key landscaping/screening rules:
    • “Walls” and front yard: view‑obscuring fences up to 6 ft allowed except in required front yard; decorative wall up to 42 in allowed in front yard; combination masonry/wrought iron wall may be up to 6 ft if at least 60% open and with an electric security gate; chain link is not allowed in any required front yard.
    • Front yard must be landscaped with the same driveway/walkway and 42 in landscape‑separator limits as R‑1/R‑2; an exception via site plan can allow 60% landscape / 40% hardscape with approved materials.
    • Trash enclosures for 3+ units must be fully enclosed (min 6 ft high) and centrally located, screened from public view.
  • Where it applies: See § 17.12.020 zoning map reference.

C-3R (General Commercial and Residential)

  • Purpose/uses: Mixed commercial/residential per district title; detailed purpose not found.
  • Key frontage yard landscaping:
    • For commercial portions, the 10 ft front yard/setback area must be landscaped and permanently maintained (no building/wall/fence closer than 10 ft).
    • Parking lot landscaping minimums for all C zones apply (6% gross lot area, planter/plant sizing, etc.).
  • Buffers to residential: Apply parking area screening walls/fences when lots abut R zones; also observe yard requirements where C-3R abuts residences.
  • Where it applies: See § 17.12.020 zoning map reference.

C-3 (General Commercial)

  • Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Key landscaping/screening:
    • 10 ft landscaped front yard (no buildings/walls/fences closer than 10 ft), with side and rear yards landscaped where they adjoin property lines; must be permanently maintained.
    • Required 6 ft masonry “separation walls” along any side/rear lot line abutting an R zone; height must step down to front‑yard limits at the residential frontage.
    • Commercial parking lots must meet the C‑zone 6% landscape area and planter/plant standards; parking next to homes must be screened by a view‑obscuring wall/fence as noted above.
  • Where it applies: See § 17.12.020.

C-M (Commercial Manufacturing)

  • Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Key landscaping/screening:
    • 10 ft landscaped front yard (no buildings/walls/fences closer than 10 ft), landscaped side/rear yards as described for C‑3.
    • Required 6 ft masonry separation wall along side/rear lot lines abutting R zones.
    • Outside trash areas must be enclosed by a view‑obscuring wall or fence at least 6 ft high.
    • Parking screening and C‑zone parking‑landscape standards also apply.
  • Where it applies: See § 17.12.020.

M (Manufacturing)

  • Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Key screening requirement:
    • Required 6 ft masonry separation wall along any side/rear lot line abutting an R zone (similar to C‑3/C‑M).
    • Parking screening walls/fences apply where parking abuts R zones; apply commercial/industrial parking location rules in Chapter 17.76.
  • Where it applies: See § 17.12.020.

T (Transitional)

  • Intent and uses are controlled by a conditional use permit; no zone‑wide landscaping standards were retrieved beyond those imposed through the CUP or by the underlying adjoining standards. Not found in retrieved materials for landscaping specifics.

PD Overlay (Planned Development Overlay Zone)

  • The PD overlay is applied to R‑3, C‑3, C‑3R, T, C‑M or M sites. Landscaping and long‑term maintenance can be conditioned through the PD plan approval; the overlay allows tailored standards but cannot permit uses not allowed in the underlying zone. Verify plan‑specific landscaping conditions.

MUOZ (Mixed-Use Overlay Zone)

  • Allows upper‑floor multifamily with ground‑floor neighborhood‑serving commercial; the overlay sets setbacks and heights but does not add explicit landscaping formulas beyond general Title 17 provisions and the underlying zone standards. Not found in retrieved materials for additional MUOZ-only landscape rules.

Special, use-specific notes that affect landscaping/screening

  • Schools approved by use permit must meet safety‑oriented landscape criteria: trees with canopies higher than 10 ft and bushes under 3 ft to deter hiding.

Key standards at a glance

Topic Standard Where it applies Code Reference
Front yard landscaping vs. hardscape (residential) Front yard must be landscaped; only a 12 ft driveway and 42 in walkway allowed, separated by a 42 in minimum landscaped strip; exception via site plan may allow up to 40% hardscape if at least 60% remains landscaped and the treatment matches the city’s hardscape palette R-1, R-2, R-3 R-1 § 17.16.040.B; R-2 § 17.20.040.E; R-3 development standards (exact § not shown in retrieved excerpt)
Front yard fence/wall height (residential) Up to 3 ft 6 in in front yard (and street side on a reverse corner); up to 6 ft in side/rear R-1, R-2 R-1 § 17.16.040.C.4.a; R-2 § 17.20.040.C.4.a
Decorative walls in front yard (multi-family) Front-yard decorative wall up to 42 in; combo masonry/wrought iron up to 6 ft if ≥60% open and with electric gate; chain link prohibited in required front yard R-3 R-3 “Walls” standard (exact § not shown in retrieved excerpt)
Parking lot landscaping minimum At least 6% of gross lot area landscaped; 3 ft min planter width; 15-gal trees; 5-gal shrubs; tree root guards near sidewalks; only 10% of required landscape area may be gravel/rock/bark; no exposed dirt C zones § 17.76.070 (Parking areas—Landscaping requirements)
Parking next to homes 6 ft view‑obscuring wall/fence (36 in where adjacent to a residential front yard) Citywide where parking abuts R‑zoned lot Chapter 17.76 parking standards (E. Screening)
Separation wall where commercial/industrial abuts residential 6 ft solid masonry wall along side/rear lot lines where abutting R zones C-3, C-M, M C‑3 § 17.32.040.F; C‑M § 17.36.040.F; M § 17.40.040.F
Corner visibility triangle No obstructions over 42 in within the 15'×15' triangle at corners R zones § 17.52.050
Rooftop/mechanical screening Mechanical/roof equipment may exceed height limits only if screened from view C and M § 17.52.020
Trash enclosures (multi-family) Enclose and screen from public view; min 6 ft height; location per standard R-3 R-3 trash enclosure standard (exact § not shown)

How Bell evaluates landscaping in approvals

  • Site plan applications must depict open space and landscaped areas; approval findings require that architecture and landscaping integrate harmoniously with surroundings.
  • Conditions on use permits/variances can add landscaping and screening provisions to protect neighbors.

Checklist

  • Confirm your zone designation in § 17.12.010 and check any overlay districts.
  • Show all landscaped areas, species, sizes, irrigation, and any walls/fences on the site plan; include parking lot landscaping if in a C zone.
  • In residential zones, keep the front yard landscaped and respect the 12 ft driveway / 42 in walkway with the required 42 in planted separator; request a site plan exception only if you can meet the 60% landscape minimum and approved palette.
  • If your parking borders an R‑zoned lot, detail the 6 ft screening wall/fence (36 in near the neighbor’s front yard).
  • For C‑3/C‑M/M parcels abutting R zones, include the required 6 ft masonry separation wall on side/rear lines.
  • Respect the corner visibility triangle (42 in max height for landscaping/fences within the 15'×15' area).
  • In C/M zones, screen rooftop and exterior mechanicals from view.
  • Apply water‑wise design: hydrozones, turf limits, avoid overspray/runoff.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Exact § numbers for some R‑3 “Walls/Trash enclosure” excerpts R‑3 excerpts are clear but the snippet lacks the printed § heading Ask Planning for the pinpoint § citation or include the excerpted language in your submittal as justification.
Parking screening subsection number The 6 ft wall rule is within Chapter 17.76 but the subsection label isn’t shown in the excerpt Confirm with staff which § in Chapter 17.76 carries “E. Screening.”
MUOZ/PD overlay landscaping beyond Title 17 basics Overlays can tailor standards case-by-case If in MUOZ/PD, request the adopted plan or conditions; those govern over base rules where stated.
Purpose/uses by district The code excerpts don’t include the full “purpose” or “permitted uses” sections Check the full chapter for your zone or the Bell Land Use summaries. Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain-English Summary

If you’re improving a Bell property, expect to landscape your front yard in the residential zones and to buffer neighbors with walls and planting in commercial/industrial areas. Commercial sites must landscape at least 6% of the lot where it fronts a street, size plants appropriately, and keep planters wide enough to thrive. Parking lots next to homes need a solid screening wall, and corners can’t have tall hedges or fences that block drivers’ views. When in doubt, show your planting, irrigation, and walls on your site plan—the city checks landscaping as part of approvals.

Source References

  • § 17.08.376 “Landscaped area”; § 17.08.380 “Landscaping” (definitions and 7.5% nonflora limit)
  • § 17.12.010–.020 (zones established; zoning map)
  • § 17.16.040.B–C (R‑1 front‑yard landscaping/hardscape; fence/wall heights; equipment screening)
  • § 17.20.040.E and C.4.a (R‑2 front‑yard landscaping/hardscape; fence/wall heights; yard equipment screening)
  • R‑3 development standards—Walls/front yard allowances; chain-link prohibition; front yard landscaping; trash enclosures (exact § heading not shown in excerpt)
  • § 17.32.040.F (C‑3 required 6 ft masonry wall at residential edges)
  • § 17.36.040 (C‑M front/side/rear yard landscaping; required 6 ft wall; trash enclosure screening)
  • § 17.40.040.F (M required 6 ft masonry wall at residential edges)
  • § 17.52.020 (screen rooftop/mechanical equipment in C/M zones)
  • § 17.52.050 (corner visibility triangle)
  • Chapter 17.76, Parking: “E. Screening” of parking next to R zones; § 17.76.070 (C‑zone parking‑landscaping standards)
  • Chapter 17.88 (water conservation guidelines)
  • PD Overlay (Chapter 17.48) purpose/applicability; MUOZ (Chapter 17.49) permitted uses/standards (no added landscaping retrieved)

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 17.08.376.) High relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (article and) High relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (Title 17.) High relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (title with) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 9396a) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 17.08.748.) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 9342a) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 9315) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 9316) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 9776) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 9271a) Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Bell Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What counts as “landscaping” in Bell?

Landscaping includes trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, lawn and limited structural features; non-plant features like walls, fountains or benches can’t exceed 7.5% of any landscaped area.

Do Bell’s residential front yards have a maximum amount of hardscape?

Yes. In R‑1, R‑2, and R‑3, the front yard must be landscaped, with only a 12 ft driveway and a 42 in walkway, separated by a 42 in planted strip. A site plan exception may allow up to 40% hardscape if 60% stays landscaped and materials meet the city palette.

Are chain-link fences allowed in the front yard of multifamily properties?

No. In R‑3, chain link is not permitted in any required front yard area. Decorative 42 in front-yard walls or 6 ft combination masonry/wrought iron (≥60% open with an electric gate) are allowed per standards.

How must commercial parking lots be landscaped and screened?

In C zones, at least 6% of the gross lot area along street frontages must be landscaped, with 3 ft minimum planter widths, 15-gallon trees, 5-gallon shrubs, and limited gravel/bark. Where a parking lot abuts an R‑zoned lot, a 6 ft view‑obscuring wall/fence is required (36 in near the neighbor’s front yard).

Do commercial or industrial properties need separation walls next to homes?

Yes. C‑3, C‑M, and M properties must build a solid masonry wall at least 6 ft high along side/rear lot lines where they adjoin R‑zoned property.

What are the corner visibility limits for hedges and fences?

On residential corner lots, keep a 15'×15' triangle free of any landscape/fence higher than 42 inches to maintain driver sight lines.

How does Bell treat rooftop and exterior mechanical screening?

In C and M zones, rooftop or exterior mechanical equipment may exceed height limits only if fully screened from view.

Are there special landscaping safety rules for schools?

Yes. As a use-permit condition, school landscaping must use trees with canopies over 10 ft and bushes under 3 ft to deter hiding.

Does Bell require drought-tolerant landscaping?

The code encourages turf limits, hydrozoning, and drought-tolerant species and irrigation designs to reduce runoff and overspray, especially for larger residential and for commercial/industrial development.

Where do I show my landscaping for approval?

On your site plan: the application must depict open space and landscaped areas, and the approval findings address how the project’s architecture and landscaping integrate with the neighborhood.

More in Bell code

Ask about any Bell property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on Bell zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial

More Bell zoning topics

Bell Zoning

Bell Land Use

Bell Development Standards

Bell Parking

Bell Design Review

Bell Overlay Districts

Bell Historic Preservation

Bell Signage

Bell Nonconforming Uses

Bell Variances and Exceptions

Bell overview