Local zoning · Blythe

Blythe — Landscaping and Screening

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

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Blythe’s zoning code (Title 17) sets citywide rules for landscaping and screening that vary by district and by use. Most requirements live in the fences/hedges/walls and landscaping chapters, with added rules for service stations, recreational vehicle parks, and wireless facilities. If your project is in the downtown area, a landscape plan may be subject to design review for conformance with adopted guidelines. Screening often ties to adjacency (especially where nonresidential uses meet homes) and to site functions like outdoor storage, trash areas, and parking lots.

Where the rules live

Fences, hedges, and walls: Chapter 17.14 (residential and nonresidential screening; height, materials, measurement; maintenance)
Landscaping standards and trees: Chapter 17.22 (residential front-yard trees; commercial/industrial/P/Q-P tree ratios; irrigation; maintenance)
Setback/visibility triangle that limits fence/hedge height near intersections: Chapter 17.12 (esp. §17.12.050)
Service stations: Chapter 17.50 (planters, plant height limits, irrigation, restroom screening)
Recreational vehicle parks: Chapter 17.42 (site enclosure and landscaping plan)
Wireless facilities: Chapter 17.47 (perimeter landscaping/irrigation; fence types vary by zone)
Downtown design review area: landscape plan submittal and review scope (§17.64.064)
Nonconforming sites: triggers to add landscaping/screening when uses intensify or work exceeds thresholds (§17.34.055)
Variances: includes fences/hedges/walls (§17.70.070(D)) and processed under variances and exceptions

Citywide fundamentals

Intersection visibility: In all zones, nothing over 3 ft high (walls, fences, hedges, shrubs, ground signs, etc.) within the code-defined corner triangles (§17.12.050). This overrides otherwise-allowed fence/hedge heights at corners.
How to measure screening height: At sidewalk grade along street frontages; at the highest adjacent finished grade for interior property lines (§17.14.060).
Owner maintenance duty: Both landscaping (§17.22.080) and fencing/screening (§17.14.090) must be kept in good condition; failure can be a nuisance subject to abatement.

District-by-district landscaping and screening

Residential zones (R-R, R-E, R-L-1, R-L-1-72, R-L-2, R-M-L, R-M, R-H)

Purpose/typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Key dimensional standards that affect screening:
- Front setback lines vary by residential district (§17.12.030), which matters because front-yard fence heights are capped at 4 ft (see below). Verify with the jurisdiction for your lot’s district/setback.
Screening and fence/wall/hedge rules:
- Height: Up to 6 ft along rear/side property lines; within the required front yard, max 4 ft (§17.14.010(A)). Sight triangles at intersections are limited to 3 ft (§17.12.050).
- Materials: Masonry walls; evergreen shrubs closely spaced/maintained; wooden fencing; or other materials approved by the planning director (§17.14.020).
- Privacy hedge exception: Where a single-story home abuts a multi-story multifamily with overlooking windows (and no public right-of-way impact), a hedge over 6 ft may be grown; the owner must maintain it (§17.14.010(D)).
- Security fencing: Chain link with barbed wire may be allowed up to 8 ft on rear/side lines not adjacent to residential, and along the front setback when not adjacent to/across from a residential use/zone (§17.14.080). Verify applicability on residentially zoned parcels.
Landscaping:
- Front-yard trees for dwellings: At least two shade trees per lot; min branching height 6 ft; trunk diameter 2.5–3 in measured 6 in above grade; 12–14 ft tall at planting (§17.22.050).
- Irrigation: Permanent automated underground irrigation is required for multifamily in the R-M, R-M-L, R-H districts; in R-R, R-E, R-L single-family areas, front-yard irrigation is encouraged (§17.22.070).
- Ongoing care: Replace dead plants within 60 days; mow and maintain canopies ≥6 ft; keep irrigation operational (§17.22.080).

Commercial zones (C-N, C-C, C-G)

Purpose/typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Where it applies: All commercial districts listed in §17.12.040, which also defines front yard setback lines used in the screening rules below.
Screening triggers and locations (§17.14.030):
- When adjacent to or across the street from a residential use: Provide screening along side/rear lot lines or along the front yard setback line (§17.14.030(A)).
- Outdoor storage: Provide screening along the front yard setback line (§17.14.030(B)).
- Trash enclosures/storage areas: Must be screened (§17.14.030(C)).
Screening materials: Masonry wall; quality wooden fencing; or other materials approved by the planning director (§17.14.040).
Screening height ranges: See table in §17.14.050 (summarized below under “Key screening heights”). Intersection sight triangles remain limited to 3 ft (§17.12.050).
Landscaping and irrigation:
- Tree ratio: For every 200 sq ft of landscaped area, provide one shade tree meeting size/branching specs (§17.22.060).
- Permanent automated underground irrigation required (§17.22.070).
Downtown projects: The design review committee must see a scaled landscape plan with species, sizes at maturity, and features (§17.64.064(B)). See Blythe Design Review.

Industrial zones (I-S, I-G)

Purpose/typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Where it applies: All industrial districts listed in §17.12.040.
Screening triggers, materials, and heights: Same framework as commercial—location triggers in §17.14.030; materials in §17.14.040; height ranges in §17.14.050; corner triangles limited to 3 ft (§17.12.050).
Landscaping/irrigation: One tree per 200 sq ft landscaped area (§17.22.060) and permanent automated underground irrigation (§17.22.070).
Security fencing allowances: Chain link with barbed wire up to 8 ft may be allowed where not adjacent to residential (§17.14.080).

Public/Quasi-Public (P/Q-P)

Purpose/typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Tree and irrigation: Apply commercial/industrial tree ratio (one tree per 200 sq ft landscaped area) and permanent irrigation requirement (§§17.22.060–.070).
Screening: A general commercial/industrial screening mandate is not expressly stated for P/Q-P in §17.14.030; apply use-specific rules (e.g., wireless facilities) or project conditions. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Special use standards that affect landscaping/screening

Service stations:
- Provide 3-ft-wide planters along street frontages (except driveways) and 100 sq ft of planting at street corners; curb edges on planters; plant height max 30 in; permanent irrigation required (§17.50.070). Restroom entrances must be screened by 6‑ft decorative screening raised 18 in above grade (§17.50.100(A)).
Recreational vehicle parks:
- Must be screened from surrounding areas with fences, walls, and/or landscaping; entire park must be enclosed by a fence/wall; a landscaping plan requires planning director approval (§17.42.150).
Wireless facilities:
- Residential zones: 8‑ft wrought iron/brick pillar combination fencing; perimeter landscaping with a combination of trees/shrubs/desert vegetation; permanent automated underground irrigation; landscape/irrigation plan approval; reviewing body may reduce landscaping if goals are met (§17.47.080(F)–(G)).
- Industrial: Fencing may be 8‑ft chain link or similar to adjacent properties; perimeter landscaping/irrigation as above (§17.47.090(F)(1), (G)).
- Commercial and Quasi-Public: 8‑ft wrought iron/brick pillar fencing where visible from public right‑of‑way; chain link permissible where not visible; perimeter landscaping/irrigation as above (§17.47.090(F)(2), (G)).

Key screening heights in commercial and industrial zones

The following summarizes §17.14.050. Corner visibility triangles still cap height at 3 ft (§17.12.050).

Use/Area	When abutting a Residential zone or along front yard setback facing residential	Along a Street	When abutting a Commercial zone	Code Reference
Display areas (autos, boats, trailers, nursery stock)	2–6 ft at front-yard setback; otherwise 6–8 ft	0–3 ft	0–8 ft	§17.14.050; §17.12.050
Parking areas	3–6 ft at front-yard setback; otherwise 6–8 ft	0–3 ft	0–8 ft	§17.14.050; §17.12.050
Trash storage or commercial operation	6–8 ft	6 ft	6–8 ft	§17.14.050
Storage (non-trash) or industrial operations	6–8 ft	6–8 ft	6–8 ft	§17.14.050

Notes:

Stored materials may not exceed the height of the screen (note to §17.14.050).
Screening height is measured at sidewalk grade (street) or highest adjacent finished grade (interior) (§17.14.060).

Checklist

Identify your zoning district(s) under Blythe Zoning and confirm setbacks that define the “front yard setback line” for screening placements (§17.12.040).
Confirm intersection visibility triangles and keep all features in those triangles at or below 3 ft (§17.12.050).
Residential projects: Provide two code-compliant front-yard trees per dwelling; plan for maintenance; provide irrigation where required/encouraged (§§17.22.050, 17.22.070, 17.22.080).
Commercial/industrial projects: Plan screening where adjacent/across from residential, around outdoor storage, and around trash areas; choose approved materials; set heights per §17.14.050; plan for trees/irrigation (§§17.14.030–.050; 17.22.060–.070).
Special uses: Add service-station planters/low plantings/irrigation and restroom screening (§§17.50.070, 17.50.100). For RV parks, enclose with fence/wall and submit a landscaping plan (§17.42.150). For wireless facilities, meet fence type and perimeter landscaping/irrigation requirements (§§17.47.080–.090).
Downtown area projects: Prepare a scaled landscape plan with species and sizes at maturity for design review (§17.64.064(B)).
Plan for long-term maintenance of landscaping and screening, including replacement of dead plants within 60 days (§17.22.080) and keeping fencing/screens in good repair (§17.14.090).
If your site is legal nonconforming, check if intensification or major work triggers upgrades to landscaping or garbage screening (§17.34.055). See Blythe Nonconforming Uses.
Need relief? Variances can include fences/hedges/walls (§17.70.070(D)); see Blythe Variances and Exceptions.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
“Across the street from a residential use” trigger	Determines whether commercial/industrial front-yard screening is required (§17.14.030(A)).	Whether the facing use is residential and how the “front yard setback line” is mapped on your parcel (§17.12.040).
Corner visibility triangles	Overheight fences/landscaping can create safety issues and code violations (§17.12.050).	Triangle dimensions on your survey and conformance of proposed features.
Approved screening materials	The planning director may allow alternatives based on appearance/durability (§§17.14.020, 17.14.040).	Whether a proposed product meets the director’s standards or needs prior approval.
Security fencing with barbed wire	Allowed only in specific circumstances (§17.14.080).	Whether adjacency to residential disqualifies your frontage/lot lines.
Downtown landscape plan requirements	Submittal contents affect review timeline (§17.64.064(B)).	Whether your site is within the central business district boundary and what plants/sizes are acceptable.
P/Q-P screening	General screening mandate for P/Q-P not explicit in §17.14.030.	Whether project- or use-specific conditions (e.g., wireless (§17.47.090)) apply. “Verify with the jurisdiction.”
Maintenance timelines	Dead plant replacement within 60 days; fencing in disrepair is a nuisance (§§17.22.080, 17.14.090).	Your operations plan and budget for upkeep, irrigation checks, and replacements.

Plain-English Summary

If you build in Blythe, expect to plant and keep things alive: houses need two front-yard shade trees, multi-family/commercial/industrial sites need trees and automatic irrigation, and nonresidential sites often need screening—especially next to homes. Keep fences and shrubs low at corners for visibility, screen trash and outdoor storage, and follow special rules for service stations, RV parks, or wireless sites. If you’re downtown, plan to submit a full landscape plan for design review.

Information Gaps

Zone “purpose” statements and typical permitted uses for each district: Not found in retrieved materials.
Exact downtown central business district boundary map for design review: Not found in retrieved materials.
Any citywide mulch or xeriscape specifications outside of wireless/service-station sections: Section numbering not visible in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

Title 17, Chapter 17.14 Fences, Hedges and Walls: §§17.14.010–.020, .030–.050, .060, .080–.090 (heights, materials, locations, measurement, security fencing, maintenance)
Title 17, Chapter 17.12 Setbacks: §17.12.040 (front yard setback references for C-N, C-C, C-G, I-S, I-G, P/Q-P), §17.12.050 (intersection visibility)
Title 17, Chapter 17.22 Landscaping: §§17.22.050–.080 (residential trees; commercial/industrial/P/Q-P tree ratios; irrigation; maintenance)
Title 17, Chapter 17.50 Service Stations: §§17.50.070 (landscaping), 17.50.100 (restroom screening)
Title 17, Chapter 17.42 Recreational Vehicle Parks: §17.42.150 (landscaping and screening)
Title 17, Chapter 17.47 Wireless Facilities: §§17.47.080–.090 (fencing by zone; perimeter landscaping/irrigation; plan approval)
Title 17, Chapter 17.64 Design Review: §17.64.064 (landscape plan submittal)
Title 17, Chapter 17.34 Nonconformities: §17.34.055 (landscaping/garbage screening upgrades upon intensification or major work)
Title 17, Chapter 17.70 Variances: §17.70.070(D) (fences/hedges/walls variances)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Blythe Zoning Code (Section 17.12.040) High relevance
Blythe Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Blythe Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
CFC § 1 (section would) High relevance
CFC § 1 (section would) High relevance
Blythe Zoning Code (§ 14) High relevance
Blythe Zoning Code (§ 7.03) High relevance
Blythe Zoning Code High relevance

Cited sections

Official Blythe code library

Frequently asked questions

How tall can my front-yard fence or hedge be in Blythe?

In residential zones, fences/walls/hedges in the required front yard are limited to 4 ft. Side and rear can be up to 6 ft, but corners are capped at 3 ft within visibility triangles (§§17.14.010(A), 17.12.050).

Do I have to screen a commercial site next to homes?

Yes. In commercial/industrial zones, screening is required along side/rear lines when adjacent to a residential use, and along the front-yard setback when adjacent to or across from residential. Trash and outdoor storage must be screened (§17.14.030). Heights depend on use and adjacency (§17.14.050).

What landscaping is required for a new house?

Provide at least two shade trees in the front yard, meeting size/height specs. Keep canopies at least 6 ft above ground and replace dead plants within 60 days. Irrigation is encouraged in front setbacks in R-R, R-E, and R-L zones (§§17.22.050, 17.22.070, 17.22.080).

What are the planter and screening rules for service stations?

Stations need 3‑ft planters along street frontages (except driveways) and 100 sq ft of planting at street corners; low (≤30 in) non-thorny plants; permanent irrigation. Restroom entrances must be screened by 6‑ft decorative screening raised 18 in for ventilation (§§17.50.070, 17.50.100(A)).

Are RV parks required to be fenced or landscaped?

Yes. RV parks must be screened from surrounding areas using fences, walls, or landscaping (or a combination) and be enclosed by a fence/wall. A landscaping plan must be approved by the planning director (§17.42.150).

How many trees do commercial and industrial projects need?

Provide one shade tree for every 200 sq ft of landscaped area, with permanent automated underground irrigation (§§17.22.060–.070).

Do downtown projects need a landscape plan?

Yes. Projects in the central business district must submit a scaled landscape plan showing species and sizes at maturity to the design review committee (§17.64.064(B)).

Can I use barbed wire on my fence?

Barbed-wire security fencing may be allowed up to 8 ft, but only under conditions in §17.14.080 (e.g., along rear/side lines not adjacent to residential, and on front setbacks when not adjacent to/across from residential). Confirm your eligibility.

How is screening height measured?

At sidewalk grade for street-fronting property lines, and at the highest adjacent finished grade for interior lines (§17.14.060).

Can I get a variance to exceed fence height?

Possibly. Variances can address fences, hedges, and walls (§17.70.070(D)); they are processed under the city’s variance procedures.

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