Buellton — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Buellton’s zoning ordinance (Title 19) sets citywide rules for landscaping, fencing, and visual screening that apply in addition to base-district standards. The core provisions live in general development regulations for fencing/screening and landscaping, with additional rules embedded in the Buellton Zoning district standards, mixed-use standards, and the parking regulations within the Buellton Development Standards. Most projects that add site improvements will also be reviewed against the city’s community design guidelines through Buellton Design Review.

What the code requires (citywide standards)

• Fencing and screening between different uses

  • Commercial/industrial development abutting a residential zone: provide a decorative masonry wall at least 6 ft high along each side/rear property line, plus a tree row or other plant material that creates continuous screening to roughly 20–40 ft at maturity .
  • Commercial/industrial sites across a street from residential zoning: provide a decorative wall at least 3 ft high along the street property line (with exceptions at driveways and for service station frontages); set the wall back at least 3 ft and landscape the setback; the director/commission may modify these conditions if ineffective/unnecessary due to street width or other factors .
  • Outdoor storage areas: screen from street view with a 6 ft wall or fence located at least 5 ft from the right‑of‑way, and landscape the space between; if stored materials exceed 6 ft high, add a screening tree row to about 20–40 ft at maturity .

• Fence, wall, and gatepost heights (all districts)

  • At or beyond front setback: 6 ft max (gateposts <8 ft) unless a minor use permit is obtained; within the front setback to the street line, height transitions down to 3 ft at the street line; in side/rear setbacks and outside setbacks: 8 ft max (gateposts ≤10 ft) or require permit; limited exceptions allow up to 10% of total length to exceed the cap; height is measured from natural grade on the lower side; corner-lot vision clearance applies citywide .

• Landscaping requirements by zone (baseline)

  • RM multifamily: at least 40% of net site area as common open space; any driveway or uncovered parking area must be separated from property lines by a ≥5 ft landscaped strip; cluster developments must landscape a ≥10 ft perimeter strip .
  • CN, CR, CS commercial: at least 5% of net lot area landscaped; landscape all street‑facing setback areas; landscape plan required in these zones .
  • M industrial: at least 10% of net lot area landscaped; sides/rear: ≥5 ft planted strips; front: ≥10 ft planted area; where abutting residential or commercial districts, add a ≥6 ft masonry wall along the abutting portion; installation/maintenance must be guaranteed by performance security per §19.04.173(E) .

• Landscaping plans and performance securities

  • Where a landscape plan is required, the department may approve or conditionally approve; prior to land use permit issuance, a performance security amount determined by the department is required to guarantee installation of plantings, walls, and related improvements .

• Parking-area landscaping and screening (nonresidential and mixed-use)

  • Where nonresidential parking abuts residentially zoned or developed property: provide a wall at least 5 ft high along the common line; provide a 5 ft wide landscaped strip with sufficient shrubs or a solid fence/wall at least 4 ft high to screen parking along each property line, with special ornamental treatment where abutting streets; planting, fences, or walls near driveways must not exceed 30 inches in height within 25 ft of entrances/exits; for uncovered parking areas exceeding 3,600 sq ft, provide tree/shrub islands at intervals, protected by curbs; performance securities may include a two‑year maintenance portion for parking-area landscaping .
  • Mixed-use projects: place 60% of parking to the rear unless allowed otherwise by prior entitlements; screen parking areas and driveways adjoining streets, alleys, sidewalks, and/or dwelling units with a decorative low wall, fence, or landscaped berm; integrate space-defining elements (trellises, walls, hedges) consistent with the project’s architectural theme and community design guidelines .

• Mixed-use landscape and open space

  • Landscaping: 30% of net site area when the base zone is RM; 15% of net site area in other base zones; up to 25% of required landscaped area may be decorative hardscape; include landscape and irrigation plans with development plan submittals .

• Ongoing maintenance

  • All required plant materials must be permanently maintained; outdoor storage and trash collection areas must be enclosed and screened to conceal materials from public view (commercial/industrial standards) .

• Adjustments for disability accommodation

  • The City may approve reasonable accommodation that adjusts buffer, fence, wall, or screening requirements where needed to accommodate an individual with a disability, subject to findings and process in the ordinance .

District-by-district standards and how landscaping/screening apply

The districts below are those established by Buellton (§19.02.010); see the zoning map for where each applies citywide. The tables in §19.02.120 (residential) and §19.02.220 (commercial/industrial) provide dimensional baselines that interact with the landscape/screening rules summarized above .

RS — Single-Family Residential

• Purpose: Reserve areas for family living in detached dwellings at low densities; consistent with Low Density Residential GP designation .
• Typical permitted uses: Single-family dwellings (district purpose identifies detached dwellings) .
• Key dimensional standards: Typical minimum setbacks include a 20 ft front and 25 ft rear; see §19.02.120 table; landscaping in RS references general landscaping requirements in §19.04.120 .
• Landscaping and screening triggers: No RS-specific percent landscaping minimum is stated; apply citywide fence/height and parking screening rules as applicable (e.g., for accessory/canopy structures requiring screening) .

RM — Multifamily Residential

• Purpose: Provide areas for duplexes, triplexes, apartments, condos, and detached dwellings at higher densities with substantial open space; mixed-use allowed subject to Ch. 19.18 .
• Typical permitted uses: Multiple-family dwellings; mixed-use as regulated by Ch. 19.18 .
• Key dimensional standards: See §19.02.120 (e.g., 10 ft side and rear minimums for RM; open space 40% of net site area for dwellings); parking area setbacks: 15 ft from streets, 5 ft from other lines .
• Landscaping and screening: Multifamily projects must devote at least 40% of net site to common open space; driveways/uncovered parking require a 5 ft landscape strip from property lines; cluster developments require 10 ft landscaped perimeter strips; mixed-use in RM base zone requires 30% site landscaping per §19.18.022 .

PRD — Planned Residential Development

• Purpose: Enable flexible, innovative residential design to preserve sensitive resources and maximize contiguous open space; allow a diversity of housing types and public/private recreation .
• Typical permitted uses: Residential per PRD approvals; see §19.02.130 and the development plan process .
• Key dimensional standards: No fixed setbacks; the development plan sets them based on resource protection and compatibility; open space generally ≥40% of gross acreage, with permanent maintenance provisions .
• Landscaping and screening: Provide an “adequate buffer” along any PRD side/rear edge abutting non‑PRD using fencing, walls, plant materials, or combinations, shown on the development plan; uncovered parking must be screened from streets and adjacent residences to ≥4 ft with hedges, dense plantings, or walls .

MHP — Mobilehome Park

• Purpose: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Mobilehome parks (standards provided in §19.06.120) .
• Key dimensional standards: Perimeter setbacks (front 20 ft; sides/rear 15 ft) and internal site setbacks; site coverage up to 60% for mobilehome lots .
• Landscaping and screening: Perimeter setback areas that are part of common open space must be landscaped; unsightly areas (e.g., common parking, trash) must be effectively screened by landscaping; RV storage areas must be screened by landscaping and fencing for security .

CN — Neighborhood Commercial

• Purpose: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key dimensional standards: See §19.02.220; front setback typically 10 ft; “Landscaping—see §19.04.120” .
• Landscaping and screening: At least 5% of net lot landscaped and all street‑facing setbacks landscaped; apply parking-area screening rules; trash/outdoor storage must be enclosed/screened from public view .

CR — General Commercial

• Purpose: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key dimensional standards: See §19.02.220 (e.g., variable rear setbacks by lot depth and adjacency); “Landscaping—see §19.04.120” .
• Landscaping and screening: Same as commercial baseline—≥5% net lot landscaped and landscaped street setbacks; apply parking-area screening and trash/outdoor storage enclosure/screening rules; mixed-use in CR follows §19.18 standards for parking screening and landscaping percentages .

CS — Service Commercial

• Purpose: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key dimensional standards: See §19.02.220; “Landscaping—see §19.04.120” .
• Landscaping and screening: Same as other commercial districts—≥5% net lot landscaped and landscaped street setbacks; apply parking-area screening; trash/outdoor storage must be enclosed/screened .

M — Industrial/Manufacturing

• Purpose: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key dimensional standards: See §19.02.220 for setbacks, height, and coverage; “Landscaping—see §19.04.120” .
• Landscaping and screening: ≥10% net lot landscaping; 5 ft planted strips at sides/rear and 10 ft in front; add a ≥6 ft masonry wall along any abutting residential or commercial property; outdoor storage must be enclosed/screened from public view; parking-area screening applies per citywide standards .

Mixed-Use Projects (applies where allowed by base zone and Chapter 19.18)

• Purpose: Integrate residential with commercial/industrial uses under the base zone with added performance and design standards (see §19.18.018 and §19.18.024) .
• Key dimensional standards: From the underlying base zone; parking placement/screening and landscape percentages are unique to mixed-use .
• Landscaping and screening: Provide 30% site landscaping in RM-based mixed-use and 15% in other base-zone mixed-use; up to 25% may be decorative hardscape; screen parking adjoining streets/alleys/sidewalks/dwellings with a decorative low wall, fence, or berm; emphasize lot-internal parking placement and space-defining elements per the community design guidelines .

Quick-reference — Landscaping and screening standards

Checklist

• Confirm your zoning district on the city zoning map and applicable base standards in Chapter 19.02; then layer in Chapter 19.04 general rules and any Buellton Development Standards cross-references .
• Prepare a landscape and irrigation plan when required (commercial districts and mixed-use), and be prepared to post performance security to guarantee installation/maintenance per approval conditions .
• For commercial/industrial sites near housing: add the required decorative masonry wall and tree screen at abutting edges; provide the 3 ft decorative wall and landscaped setback across a street unless modified by the City .
• Lay out parking lots to include perimeter and internal screening per the parking regulations, including 5 ft strips or 4 ft walls, and sight-distance protections at driveways; add curbed tree/shrub islands when uncovered area >3,600 sq ft .
• In RM: account for the 40% common open space minimum; provide 5 ft landscape separations at driveways/uncovered parking; cluster projects add a 10 ft perimeter landscape strip .
• In M: meet the 10% site landscaping minimum and required planted strips; add a 6 ft masonry wall at any residential/commercial abutment .
• In mixed-use: meet the 30%/15% landscape ratios and provide decorative screening for parking adjoining streets/alleys/sidewalks/dwellings; place most parking at the rear unless otherwise entitled .
• Design fences/walls within height limits or obtain the appropriate permit; maintain corner-lot vision clearance; measure from natural grade on the lower side .
• Enclose and screen trash and outdoor storage areas from public view on commercial/industrial sites .
• Expect review against the community design guidelines during Buellton Design Review; integrate materials and forms consistent with the project’s architecture.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Buellton generally wants green edges and visual buffers where different uses meet. If you’re building commercial or industrial next to homes, expect a 6 ft decorative masonry wall plus trees along the edge; if you’re across a street from homes, you’ll likely need a 3 ft decorative wall with a landscaped strip. Multifamily sites must devote significant open space and landscape strips along driveways/parking. Parking lots need shrubs or low walls to screen cars, plus trees in larger lots. Mixed-use projects carry higher landscaping ratios and must screen parking with decorative, low elements. Fence heights are capped unless you get a permit, and visibility at corners must be kept clear.

Information Gaps

• Purpose statements and typical permitted uses for the CN, CR, CS, and M districts were Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Any overlay-specific landscaping/screening standards were Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

• §19.04.100 Fencing and screening (decorative walls, abutting residential; across-street screening; outdoor storage screening)
• §19.04.102 Fence, wall, and gatepost height limits; §19.04.110(C) corner-lot vision clearance
• §19.04.120 Landscaping requirements (RM, CN/CR/CS, M); §19.04.124 Landscaping plans; maintenance requirement
• Parking regs — Landscaping and Screening of Parking Areas; performance security for installation/maintenance
• §19.18.018 Mixed-use development standards (parking screening expectations); §19.18.022 Landscape and open space standards (15%/30% ratios; 25% hardscape allowance)
• §19.02.220 Commercial/industrial general development standards (landscaping cross-reference; trash/outdoor storage enclosure and screening)
• §19.02.120 Residential zone general development standards (dimensional baselines)
• §19.02.100 Residential zone purposes (RS, RM, PRD)
• §19.02.130 PRD standards (buffers; parking screening)
• §19.06.120 Mobilehome parks (perimeter landscaping; screening of unsightly areas; RV storage screening)
• Reasonable accommodation adjustments to buffers, fences, walls, screening

Also see: Buellton zoning & planning overview, Buellton Land Use, Buellton Parking, Buellton Signage, Buellton Nonconforming Uses, Buellton Variances and Exceptions.

Retrieved passages

• Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.04.102) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 3 (chapter may) High relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.04.110) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 022 High relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CBC § 19.02.210 (§ 19.02.210) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 160 Medium relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.04.010) High relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.02.330) High relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.04.100) High relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.02.130) High relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (Chapter 3.) Medium relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.02.120) Medium relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (§ 19.02.330) Medium relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (chapter to) Medium relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (section lasting) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 3 (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Buellton Zoning Code (title for) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• §19.04.100 Fencing and screening (decorative walls, abutting residential; across-street screening; outdoor storage screening) (§19.04.100)
• §19.04.102 Fence, wall, and gatepost height limits; §19.04.110(C) corner-lot vision clearance (§19.04.102)
• §19.04.120 Landscaping requirements (RM, CN/CR/CS, M); §19.04.124 Landscaping plans; maintenance requirement (§19.04.120)
• Parking regs — Landscaping and Screening of Parking Areas; performance security for installation/maintenance
• §19.18.018 Mixed-use development standards (parking screening expectations); §19.18.022 Landscape and open space standards (15%/30% ratios; 25% hardscape allowance) (§19.18.018)
• §19.02.220 Commercial/industrial general development standards (landscaping cross-reference; trash/outdoor storage enclosure and screening) (§19.02.220)
• §19.02.120 Residential zone general development standards (dimensional baselines) (§19.02.120)
• §19.02.100 Residential zone purposes (RS, RM, PRD) (§19.02.100)
• §19.02.130 PRD standards (buffers; parking screening) (§19.02.130)
• §19.06.120 Mobilehome parks (perimeter landscaping; screening of unsightly areas; RV storage screening) (§19.06.120)
• Reasonable accommodation adjustments to buffers, fences, walls, screening
• Buellton_ZoningCode.md

• Official Buellton code library