Local zoning · Bellflower

Bellflower — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Bellflower’s zoning ordinance, Title 17, sets district-specific and citywide rules for how sites are landscaped, how parking areas are planted, and how uses are buffered and screened from neighbors. Most standards are objective and tied to the underlying zone, with cross-cutting rules in Chapter 17.72 for fences/walls, outside storage, and ongoing maintenance. Where projects trigger design review, landscaping and screening are checked as part of the application and plan compliance process, alongside other development standards and any applicable overlay districts.

Citywide rules that cut across districts

  • Fences and walls (general). Front-yard fences/walls are limited to about 42 inches, with specific transparency allowances; taller fences are generally confined to side and rear yards. Materials such as chain link are prohibited in front and street-side yard areas, and a City fence approval application can be required. These general fence provisions live in Chapter 17.72 and are also referenced elsewhere in Title 17.
  • Outside storage and screening. Residential lots with outdoor storage over 60 cubic feet visible from the street must screen it with a view-obscuring fence or wall at least 6 ft high; commercial/industrial outdoor storage visible from the street requires an 8 ft decorative masonry or compatible wall with solid, view-obscuring gates. Related provisions require setting long walls back 5 ft for landscaping when visible from streets and curbing/irrigation for the planter.
  • Landscaping maintenance. Required landscape areas in the R-2, R-3, C-G, T-C (Town Center), and M-1 zones must be continuously maintained (irrigation operational, mulch replenished, dead plants replaced, etc.).
  • Development review triggers. Fences/walls are a listed improvement subject to development review at plan check. Exterior landscaping of an individual single-family home is generally exempt from development review unless imposed by a condition of approval.

District-by-district standards and guidance

A-E Agricultural Estate (Chapter 17.20)

  • Purpose/where: Low-density residential/rural character areas.
  • What matters for landscaping/screening:
    • All required front and street-facing side setbacks must be landscaped and maintained; water-efficient designs may be used with objective criteria.
    • When more than one unit is allowed on a parcel, provide at least two 48-inch box trees and two 5-gallon plants per unit; include automatic irrigation and secure Planning Director approval of the landscape plan. Private open space must be enclosed with a 5 ft decorative wall or equivalent fencing.
    • Mechanical equipment must be flush/screened from public view with methods compatible with the building.

R-1 Single-Family Residential (Chapter 17.24)

  • Purpose/where: Traditional single-family neighborhoods citywide.
  • What matters for landscaping/screening:
    • Front and street-facing side setbacks must be landscaped and maintained; water‑efficient landscaping has specific irrigation and hardscape-balance rules, and may require site plan approval.
    • Chain-link fences are prohibited in front or street-side yard setbacks; permanent fences are subject to Chapter 17.72 approval processes referenced in R‑1.
    • Ground-mounted and rooftop mechanical equipment must be completely screened from public views; screening must be architecturally compatible.

R-2 Medium Density Residential (Chapter 17.28)

  • Purpose/where: Medium-density multi-unit neighborhoods.
  • What matters for landscaping/screening:
    • Ongoing maintenance is required for any required landscaping per citywide maintenance standards.
    • Development review may apply to fences/walls during plan check; exterior landscaping for one-house-per-parcel remains generally exempt.
    • Not found in retrieved materials: R‑2-specific tree counts or planter dimensions beyond the citywide rules.

R-3 Multiple Residential (Chapter 17.32)

  • Purpose/where: Higher-density multi-unit neighborhoods.
  • What matters for landscaping/screening:
    • Usable open space with water-efficient landscaping must use low-water plants; decorative hardscape is allowed only as an accent (not a majority).
    • Ongoing maintenance required per citywide maintenance standards.
    • Not found in retrieved materials: A complete list of R‑3 tree/plant quantity standards.

C-G General Commercial (Chapter 17.44)

  • Purpose/where: City’s general commercial corridors.
  • What matters for landscaping/screening:
    • Perimeter wall at residential edges. Where C‑G abuts any residential district, provide a 6–8 ft solid masonry wall; height near an abutting residential front yard area is limited to about 42 inches. Chain-link is prohibited in front and street side setbacks.
    • Parking lot landscaping. Interior landscaping must be at least 5% of the parking area with a minimum 10 ft wide landscaped planter along rights‑of‑way; planting beds min 6 ft wide; 6‑inch curbs around planters; distribute islands throughout the lot; no parking stall can “count” a planter as part of its dimension.
    • Minimum tree/planting density. Provide at least one 48‑inch box tree and five 5‑gallon plants per 1,000 sq ft of floor area; install plants and irrigation with any alteration/modification.

T-C Town Center District (Chapter 17.48)

  • Purpose/where: Bellflower Boulevard core and mixed-use “main street.”
  • What matters for landscaping/screening:
    • Screening of utilities and service areas. Antennas/monopoles must be screened with architecture and/or landscaping; trash areas must be effectively screened or enclosed by a 6 ft solid masonry decorative wall with solid metal doors.
    • Future right-of-way strips. Within mapped future ROWs, only low elements are allowed: fences/walls/hedges up to 3 ft, plus landscaping and access ways.
    • Street-edge design. Plant containers are among the features allowed by encroachment permit in the public way.

M-1 Light Industrial (Chapter 17.52)

  • Purpose/where: Industrial districts and employment areas.
  • What matters for landscaping/screening:
    • Required walls at residential edges. Where M‑1 abuts any R‑zoned property, construct and maintain a 6 ft masonry/concrete wall; chain-link is prohibited in front and street side setbacks.
    • Heavy vehicle areas. Open areas used for parking/loading of vehicles over 1.5 tons must be enclosed by a 6 ft solid masonry wall or solid fence with solid gates.
    • Parking lot landscaping. Provide at least 5% interior landscaping of the parking area; min 10 ft planter along rights‑of‑way; 6 ft min planter width; 6‑inch curbs; distribute islands throughout; no counting planters within stall dimensions.
    • Minimum tree/planting density. Provide at least one 48‑inch box tree and five 5‑gallon plants per 1,000 sq ft of floor area, plus detailed irrigation and planting specs (e.g., drip for non‑turf, mulch depth, hydrozones).
    • Mechanical equipment screening. Ground-mounted equipment must be screened behind permanent structures; rooftop equipment screened from ground views at 100 ft; methods must be architecturally compatible.

Use-specific provisions that affect screening/landscaping

  • Service stations in C-G. Require raised planters along street edges and center corners; at least 2% of the site in raised landscaped areas; 6‑inch high masonry planter edges; and when abutting residential, a 6 ft masonry wall reduced to 42 inches within front/side setback areas, with integrated tree wells/planting areas at defined spacing.
  • Self-service storage facilities. Site boundaries abutting residential must have an 8 ft decorative block wall (6 ft when abutting commercial/industrial). Provide landscaping in all required setbacks and throughout non‑storage parking areas.
  • Shipping containers. Where they’re expressly allowed, visibility from public streets can be addressed by a 6 ft high view‑obscuring fence, wall, hedge, or other screening device; additional placement and size rules apply.

What to do when rules don’t fit (nonconforming and adjustments)

  • Nonconforming fences/walls. Existing nonconforming fences or walls generally cannot be enlarged or altered (except minor repairs) and any change must meet current code.
  • Nonconforming landscaping. Properties that are nonconforming only due to landscaping/open space/driveway/trash facility issues are treated as “conforming” until triggers occur; then current standards apply (e.g., substantial remodel/expansion thresholds). See Nonconforming Uses.
  • Project-specific conditions. In discretionary approvals (e.g., Administrative Use Permits), the City may impose conditions such as added landscaping, fences, or buffers to ensure compatibility.

Key standards at a glance

District/Topic Core landscaping/screening triggers Minimums and limits Code Reference
A‑E Landscape required in front/street-facing yards; multi-unit A‑E projects must add trees/plants and enclosure for private open space Per-unit planting: two 48‑in box trees + two 5‑gal plants; 5 ft decorative walls around private open space; screen mechanical equipment
R‑1 Landscape required in front/street-facing yards; control hardscape share; screen equipment Chain-link prohibited in front/street-side setbacks; water-efficient irrigation and site plan approval rules; screen ground/roof equipment
R‑2 / R‑3 Maintain required landscaping; water-efficient open space in multi-family Low-water plants; decorative hardscape only as accent; citywide maintenance standards apply
C‑G Parking area landscaping and perimeter buffer to residential 5% interior of parking; 10 ft planter at ROW; 6 ft–8 ft solid wall at residential edge; tree/planting minimum per 1,000 sq ft GFA
T‑C Screen antennas/trash; manage future ROW frontage Trash enclosure: 6 ft decorative masonry with solid doors; future ROW allows only 3 ft max low fences/hedges plus landscaping
M‑1 Parking area landscaping; walls at residential edges; heavy-vehicle screening 5% interior of parking; 10 ft planter at ROW; 6 ft masonry wall at R-zone line; 6 ft solid enclosure for >1.5‑ton vehicle areas; detailed irrigation specs
Citywide — Outside storage Screening where visible from streets/adjoining property 6 ft view‑obscuring wall/fence in residential; 8 ft decorative masonry wall/gates in commercial/industrial; landscaped setbacks for long walls

Tip: Parking-area planting ties directly to your parking layout and stall dimensions. Curbed islands of at least 6 ft width are needed to count toward the planting percentage in commercial and industrial zones.

Checklist

  • Identify your base district and any applicable overlay districts (e.g., Town Center) to pull the right landscape/screening rules.
  • Lay out required landscaped setbacks and confirm any planter width and curb details along rights‑of‑way.
  • Calculate parking lot interior landscaping percentage and distribute 6 ft–wide islands; add a 10 ft ROW planter where required.
  • Size tree/plant quantities (e.g., 48‑in box tree minimums) for your zone/use.
  • Add perimeter walls where your site abuts residential; verify wall height transitions near residential front yards.
  • Screen mechanical equipment, antennas, and trash per objective standards.
  • If any outdoor storage is visible, design the required screening walls/gates and any landscaped setback for long walls.
  • Confirm if your fence/wall needs a City fence approval and whether your project triggers design review at plan check.
  • Document irrigation (automatic controls, drip in non‑turf areas where applicable) and maintenance commitments.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
R‑2/R‑3 planting quantities Multi-family often has objective open-space landscaping ratios; incomplete retrieval can miss tree counts Confirm if 17.32 includes additional tree/plant minimums beyond water‑efficient standards. Not found in retrieved materials.
Fence/wall section cross-references Several chapters reference Chapter 17.72 fence approvals Whether your specific fence requires a stand‑alone fence approval and any height transparency limits in front yards.
Outside storage screening details Storage walls trigger landscaping and wall articulation Whether your proposal counts as “storage,” wall setback landscaping, and 50‑ft wall articulation requirements.
Town Center screening specifics TC has its own screening and ROW rules Exact trash enclosure specs and where low hedges vs. taller fences can be placed in mapped future ROWs.
Use-specific conditions Certain uses (e.g., service stations, self-storage) add unique rules Whether your use falls under a special section requiring added planters, walls, or tree wells.

Plain-English Summary

Bellflower requires planted setbacks in neighborhoods, planted islands in commercial/industrial parking lots, and solid walls where commercial or industrial sites touch homes. Expect curbed planters, minimum tree sizes, and permanent irrigation. Anything unsightly—outdoor storage, trash, antennas, and equipment—generally must be screened with walls, landscaping, or both. If you’re building fences or modifying parking, plan early for the City’s fence and design review checks and keep landscape areas maintained so they don’t become noncompliant.

Source References

  • Title 17, Zoning — general purpose and structure.
  • A‑E Agricultural Estate: landscaping, trees per unit, equipment screening, and private space walls (§§ 17.20.180, 17.20.190, 17.20.220).
  • R‑1 Single-Family: fencing, landscaping, water‑efficient rules, and equipment screening (§§ 17.24.150, 17.24.180, 17.24.160).
  • R‑2 intent; multi-family open space water‑efficient standards (§ 17.28.010; § 17.32.110).
  • C‑G General Commercial: fences/walls and landscaping (§§ 17.44.060–.070).
  • Town Center: antennas/trash screening; permitted encroachments/future ROW landscaping (§§ 17.48.240 [screening bullets], 17.48.180–.190).
  • M‑1 Light Industrial: walls at residential edges; heavy vehicle yard enclosures; parking landscaping; irrigation specs; mechanical equipment screening (§§ 17.52.110, 17.52.150, 17.52.130; plus 17.52.120 trash facilities).
  • Outside storage screening and landscaped setbacks for walls (Chapter 17.72, § 17.72.070 Outside Storage).
  • Landscaping maintenance obligations (Chapter 17.72, § 17.72.100).
  • Development review triggers for fences/walls; exemptions for single-family exterior landscaping (§ 17.80—Plan Check list).
  • Service station planter/wall specifics (§ 17.44.280, service stations).
  • Self-service storage facility walls/landscaping requirements (self-storage section).
  • Administrative Use Permit conditions may add landscaping/screening (§ 17.98.080).

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 17.44.040.) High relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code High relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 8) High relevance
  • CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 17.106.040.) High relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code High relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 17.20.180.) High relevance
  • CBC § 19 (§ 19-18.13) High relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 19-11.9) Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 195.4) Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 17.48.190.) Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (title there) High relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 8) Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (§ 8) Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance
  • Bellflower Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to landscape my front yard in Bellflower’s single-family zones?

Yes. In the R‑1 zone, required front and street-facing side setbacks must be landscaped and maintained. If you opt for water‑efficient landscaping, expect irrigation and design constraints, and in some cases site plan approval for the landscape design. Chain-link is not allowed in front or street-side setbacks. See §§ 17.24.180 and 17.24.150.

What landscaping is required in a commercial parking lot?

In C‑G, at least 5% of the parking area must be landscaped, with a minimum 10 ft landscaped planter at the right‑of‑way, 6 ft‑wide interior islands, and 6‑inch curbs around planters. Planting cannot reduce the required stall dimensions. See § 17.44.070.

Do I need a wall between a commercial site and a residential neighbor?

Yes. Where C‑G abuts an R‑zoned property, a 6–8 ft solid masonry wall is required, with height tapering near residential front yards. Chain-link is barred in front or street-side setbacks. See § 17.44.060.

How are outdoor storage areas screened?

Residential outdoor storage over 60 cubic feet visible from the street requires a 6 ft view‑obscuring fence or wall; in commercial/industrial areas, visible storage must be fully enclosed by an 8 ft decorative masonry or compatible wall with solid, view‑obscuring gates. Long walls visible from streets need a landscaped setback and articulation. See § 17.72.070.

What screening is required for mechanical equipment?

In R‑1, ground and rooftop mechanical equipment must be fully screened from public views with architecturally compatible methods. In M‑1, ground equipment must be behind permanent structures; rooftop equipment must be screened from ground views at 100 ft. See §§ 17.24.160 and 17.52.130.

Are fences and walls reviewed by the City?

Fences and walls are listed as improvements subject to development review at plan check to ensure compliance. However, exterior landscaping of a single-family detached home is generally exempt unless it’s a condition of approval. See the development review provisions and Chapter 17.72 fence application procedures.

What special landscape rules apply in the Town Center?

The T‑C District requires effective screening of trash areas (typically a 6 ft decorative masonry enclosure with solid doors) and architectural/landscape screening of antennas/monopoles. In mapped future right‑of‑way areas, only low elements (fences/hedges up to 3 ft) and landscaping are allowed. See §§ 17.48.240 and 17.48.190.

Do industrial yards for heavy trucks need screening?

Yes. Open areas used for parking or loading vehicles over 1.5 tons must be enclosed by a 6 ft solid wall/fence with solid gates in M‑1. Additional parking-area landscaping and planter standards apply. See §§ 17.52.120 and 17.52.150.

Can I use artificial turf in Bellflower?

An artificial turf pilot program may be allowed by the Planning Director with set criteria; if later disallowed, replacement with natural plant materials can be required within a set timeframe. See the landscaping provisions that describe this pilot authorization. Verify with the jurisdiction.

What happens if my site is nonconforming because of landscaping?

Properties nonconforming only due to landscaping/open space/driveway/trash facilities are treated as “conforming” until certain work triggers occur (e.g., substantial remodel or expansion). When triggered, current standards apply. See §§ 17.92.170–.160.

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