Local zoning · Burbank

Burbank — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What landscaping does a new single‑family home in Burbank have to show?

You must show the minimum lot-level landscape area and that front and street-facing side yards are at least 50% landscaped , provide required trees at one per 40 linear feet of frontage, meet planter/soil-depth minimums (12" turf, 18" shrubs, 3' for trees), and submit an irrigation and maintenance plan. See § 10-1-628 for the full specifications.

Q: Are there special tree species or native-plant requirements in some zones?

Yes — some zones and special plan areas (e.g., RC ) specify native plant species and particular street trees such as California Sycamore . Always check the zone-specific standards for required palettes. See the RC zone excerpts and zone landscaping rules. ---

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Burbank’s zoning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and trees. It is drawn directly from the Burbank Zoning provisions that control site landscaping and yard features (major sections include § 10-1-628, § 10-1-603/624, and the Storefront/Specific building-type rules in § 10-1-2707). Where the code gives district-specific requirements I list them below so you can see what applies in R zones, commercial zones, and special plan districts. Always verify parcel-specific limits with the City; some tables and discretionary rules are not fully excerpted here.

Note: references to related topics appear inline — e.g., parking, development standards / setbacks, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code — because landscaping and screening often interact with those processes and rules. /us/california/burbank/zoning /us/california/burbank/development-standards /us/california/burbank/design-review /us/california/burbank/overlay-districts /us/california/burbank/parking /us/california/burbank/adu /us/california/building-codes

What the ordinance requires (core rules)

Minimum landscaped area (lot-level): the code requires a minimum percentage of each lot be maintained as landscape area and sets minimum soil depths and planting dimensions. See § 10-1-628 for the landscape-area definitions, minimum soil depths (12" for turf/groundcover; 18" for shrubs; 3' for trees), planter minimum dimensions, and turf caps.
Trees and planting rates: required tree spacing and sizes are specified. In residential yards the ordinance generally requires one tree per 40 linear feet of yard, with at least one tree in front, interior side, and street-facing side yards and at least two in the rear yard; minimum sizes for required trees are specified (typically 48‑inch box for at least one tree in front/street side and 24‑inch box for others, or other minimums specified by zone). See § 10-1-628 and related yard rules.
Screening between commercial/multifamily and single-family: where a site abuts single-family zoning, the code requires buffer widths and landscaped strips specifically intended to screen and separate uses (typical 5‑foot landscaped strips, and in some plan areas 20‑foot open-space buffers). See § 10-1-2707 (Storefront/Specific building types) and zone-specific open space/buffer rules (e.g., NB, MPC-3, RC).
Decorative masonry wall + evergreen row where adjacent to residential: the Storefront / mixed-use building rules require a landscaped buffer at least 5 feet wide along lot lines shared with residentially zoned lots; the buffer “shall contain a decorative masonry wall along the common lot line and a row of evergreen trees” and the wall must be at least 6 feet tall (waiver possible if existing screening already present). See § 10-1-2707.7(F) and related Storefront standards.
Screening for loading, storage, trash and utilities: non-residential projects must screen loading, storage, trash enclosures and utilities using a combination of berms, landscaping, walls and buildings. When landscaping is used as a screen it must be of adequate maturity to provide required screening within 18 months to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works. See § 10-1-628 / § 10-1-??? (site landscaping).
Yard/hardscape limits and front yard landscaping: the code limits hardscape in front and exposed side yards (minimum 50% of front and exposed side yards must be landscaped in many residential standards) and restricts paving in required yards. See § 10-1-624 and associated yard rules. These yard rules also specify how decorative hardscape may be credited toward landscaping. Parking areas and vehicle storage are controlled separately and interact with landscape buffers and setback rules.
Fence/wall height, materials, and ornamentation: the maximum heights and permitted materials for fences, walls and hedges are set by table (Table 10-1-603(A) or Table 10-1-624(A) depending on the zone), and the ordinance forbids dangerous wire types (razor/barbed/electric). Chain-link fences are restricted (prohibited in many front yard/street-facing side yards; exceptions in industrial/WTF contexts). Ornamental features and pilasters have separate rules; corners must comply with corner-cutoff sightline rules. See § 10-1-603, § 10-1-624, and the Minor/Major Fence Exception permits in § 10-1-19200–19201.
Measurement of fence height and retaining walls: fence/wall height is measured from the abutting natural grade or finished grade (whichever is lower); fences combined with retaining walls in front yard setbacks have a maximum combined height (e.g., 4 feet measured from abutting grade) and retaining walls have an exposed height limit (e.g., 42 inches in certain plan rules). See § 10-1-603 / § 10-1-2707.7.
Irrigation, maintenance, and drought-tolerant planting: irrigation systems and maintenance obligations are required for landscaping; drought-tolerant species are encouraged and turf is limited to a defined percentage of landscape area. Required irrigation must provide head-to-head coverage and minimize overspray. See § 10-1-628 and related maintenance subsections.

District-by-district breakdown

R-1 (single-family)

Purpose and where it applies: standard single-family residential neighborhoods around the city; typical permitted uses are single-family dwellings and accessory uses.
Key landscaping/screening rules: front and street-facing side yards must be at least 50% landscaped, with one tree per 40 linear feet of frontage and minimum tree box sizes specified in § 10-1-628. Turf and planter depth rules apply (12" turf minimum soil depth; 3' for trees). Fences and walls in front/street-facing side yards are limited (see Table 10-1-603(A) / 10-1-624(A)); chain-link and dangerous-wired fences are prohibited.

R-2 / R-3 / R-4 (multi-family)

Purpose and typical uses: smaller to larger multi-family developments with higher density allowances.
Key landscaping/screening rules: multi-family lots must meet the lot-level landscaping percentage in § 10-1-628 (see Table 10-1-628(A) for exact percentages per zone), provide minimum planter sizes and irrigation, and plant trees at the stated rates. When a multifamily or commercial site abuts single-family property the code imposes additional open space or buffer widths (often 20 feet or a required 5‑foot landscaped strip as described in several zone standards) and may require additional upper-story setbacks where abutting single family lots. Fences/walls limits and the fence-exception processes also apply. See § 10-1-628 and § 10-1-628(F)/(H).

NB (Neighborhood Business)

Purpose and where applied: neighborhood commercial strips and small shopping areas.
Landscaping/screening rules: where NB lots abut R-1 / R-1-H / R-2 the NB property must provide an open space buffer and the nearest 5 feet of that buffer must be landscaped to screen uses; trees are required along public-facing edges at specified rates. See § 10-1-2417(B) and § 10-1-2417(C).

MPC-3 (Mixed Planned Commercial 3)

Purpose: medium-scale mixed-use or planned commercial districts.
Landscaping/screening rules: where MPC-3 abuts R-1/R-2 a 20‑foot open space is required, and where abutting R-3/R-4 a 10‑foot open space is required; the code also requires a 5‑foot landscaped strip adjacent to residential lots unless a public right-of-way is counted instead. See § 10-1-2613(B).

RC (Rancho Commercial)

Purpose and special plan area rules visible in the code extracts.
Landscaping/screening rules: native plant palettes are required, California Sycamore specified as street trees, parking courts must be surrounded by at least a 5‑foot landscape buffer, and walls/fences must meet minimum setbacks from lot lines (commonly 10 feet from lot lines separating property from a street). See § 10-1-? (RC zone excerpts); this material appears under the RC zone provisions in the code excerpts. Verify exact subsection numbers in the RC zone language.

Storefront / C-3 (Storefront Building standards, Zone 2)

Purpose: mixed-use storefront building typologies in commercial corridors.
Landscaping/screening rules: a 5‑foot landscaped buffer with a decorative masonry wall at least 6 feet tall plus a row of evergreen trees is required where Storefront buildings share lot lines with residential-zoned lots; outdoor storage must be enclosed by a fence/wall at least 6 feet tall and drive-throughs are prohibited in front yards. See § 10-1-2706.8 and § 10-1-2707.7.

Wireless Telecommunications Facilities (WTF) and industrial contexts

Landscaping and stealthing: the code requires stealth design and landscaping to screen WTFs; new trees must meet minimum sizes (e.g., 36‑inch box for new trees when used for screening) and live landscaping must have permanent irrigation. Chain-link fences may be allowed in industrial zones where not visible from the public right-of-way. See § 10-1-? (WTF provisions).

Quick reference table (decision-relevant standards)

Standard / feature	Typical requirement	Code Reference
Minimum soil depth — turf/groundcover	12 inches	§ 10-1-628
Minimum soil depth — shrubs/planters	18 inches	§ 10-1-628
Minimum soil depth — trees	3 feet	§ 10-1-628
Tree rate (yards)	1 tree / 40 linear feet (minimums per yard apply)	§ 10-1-628
Required landscaped buffer adjacent to residential (Storefront/Zone 2)	5 ft landscaped strip + decorative masonry wall (6 ft) + evergreen trees (waiver possible)	§ 10-1-2707.7(F)
Screening for loading/storage/trash	Screen with berms/landscape/wall; landscaping must mature in 18 months	§ 10-1-628 / site landscaping
Front yard / street-facing side yard landscaping	≥ 50% landscaped; limits on hardscape	§ 10-1-624 / § 10-1-628
Fence/wall max heights (front/street side and other yards)	See table 10-1-603(A) / 10-1-624(A) (examples: 4 ft combined fence+retaining wall in front setback; up to 8 ft elsewhere per table)	§ 10-1-603 / § 10-1-624
Prohibited fence materials	Razor wire, barbed wire, electric wire; chain link restricted in many yards	§ 10-1-603 / § 10-1-624
Fence exception process	Minor and Major Fence Exception Permits with public notice and findings	§ 10-1-19200–19201

Checklist

Submit a landscape plan showing total landscape area percentage, plant palette, irrigation, and soil depths (comply with § 10-1-628).
Show tree caliper/box sizes and spacing (one per 40' of yard frontage; 48" box minimums where required). § 10-1-628.
If abutting residential zoning, provide the required 5‑ft buffer + 6‑ft masonry wall and evergreen screening (or document existing screening to request a waiver). § 10-1-2707.7(F).
Locate and dimension all fences/walls; confirm height measured from grade and that materials are allowed (no razor/barbed/electric). Reference Table 10-1-603(A)/10-1-624(A) and corner-cutoff rules. § 10-1-603 / § 10-1-624.
If proposing a nonstandard fence height/material, prepare a Minor or Major Fence Exception packet with required findings. § 10-1-19200–19201.
Show screening for loading, trash, utilities and mechanical equipment; show maturity/size or describe planting that meets the 18‑month screening maturity requirement. § 10-1-628.
Show irrigation design meeting head-to-head coverage and maintenance plan. § 10-1-628.
Coordinate with parking requirements as landscape islands and buffers can affect stall counts and layout. /us/california/burbank/parking

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Exact landscape % by zoning (Table 10-1-628(A) values)	The code requires a lot-level percentage but the numeric table is not fully reproduced in these excerpts — incorrect assumption can cause plan rejection	Check § 10-1-628(A) and Table 10-1-628(A) in the full code for parcel-specific percentages. Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction.
Which table controls fence heights on a specific parcel (Table 10-1-603(A) vs 10-1-624(A))	Different chapters/tables are invoked for different contexts; using the wrong table can lead to noncompliance	Confirm which table applies to the parcel’s zoning and lot type; consult § 10-1-603 and § 10-1-624 and the applicable zone chapter.
Measurement reference for fence height on sloped lots	Height is measured from abutting natural grade or finished grade (whichever is lower) — slope exceptions allow stair-step designs but must follow the code	Confirm grade used for measurement with plan reviewer and show existing/proposed grades on plans. § 10-1-603.
Applicability to ADUs	ADU-specific landscaping rules are not excerpted here; ADU projects may trigger different yard/landscape calculations	Review ADU rules and local ADU program; this page does not cover ADU-specific provisions. /us/california/burbank/adu Not found in retrieved materials.
Nonconforming / preexisting fences	The code contains grandfathering/nonconforming provisions with date cutoffs (examples: walls legal prior to certain dates)	If fence/wall predates ordinance changes, confirm nonconforming status and whether abeyance applies. See nonconforming fences language. § 10-1-603 & § 10-1-19202.
Design-review interplay	Landscaping and screening are often subject to discretionary design review in some contexts	Verify whether the project triggers design review and any overlay or Historic Preservation requirements. /us/california/burbank/design-review /us/california/burbank/historic-preservation Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain-English Summary

Burbank’s zoning code requires significant on-site landscaping, specific tree counts and sizes, and clear rules for fences, walls, and buffers — especially where nonresidential or higher-density sites touch single-family neighborhoods. Expect to submit a landscape plan showing soil depths, irrigation, tree sizes, and any required 5‑ft buffers plus masonry walls and evergreen screening when abutting residential lots; fence heights and materials are strictly regulated and have a formal exception process if you need taller or different walls. Verify parcel-specific tables and discretionary review requirements with the City.

Source References

Burbank Municipal Code, § 10-1-628 (Landscape area, soil depths, tree rates, irrigation and maintenance).
Burbank Municipal Code, § 10-1-603 (Fences, walls, hedges — heights, materials, measurement rules, corner-cutoffs).
Burbank Municipal Code, § 10-1-624 / Table 10-1-624(A) (Yard features and fence/wall limits in various contexts).
Storefront / Building-type rules: § 10-1-2706.8 and § 10-1-2707.7 (5‑ft buffers, 6‑ft masonry wall requirement, screening, and yard/open-space rules).
NB Zone property development and landscaping: § 10-1-2417(B) (open space and 5‑ft landscaped strip requirements when abutting residential).
MPC-3 Zone open-space and buffer rules: § 10-1-2613(B).
Site landscaping/screening and maintenance subsections (trees, irrigation, screening for utilities/loading, 18‑month maturity): excerpts in code (see related site landscape provisions). § 10-1-628 and site landscaping references.
Fence exception permit process and findings: § 10-1-19200–19201 (Minor and Major Fence Exception Permits).
RC zone excerpts and specific planting/parking-buffer rules: RC zone provisions excerpted in the code.

Related internal guidance pages (useful cross-checks):

Burbank Zoning & Planning Overview: /us/california/burbank
Burbank Zoning: /us/california/burbank/zoning
Burbank Land Use: /us/california/burbank/land-use
Burbank Development Standards (setbacks, tables): /us/california/burbank/development-standards
Burbank Parking (landscape islands and parking-lot landscaping interaction): /us/california/burbank/parking
Burbank Design Review (discretionary contexts): /us/california/burbank/design-review
Burbank Overlay Districts (where overlays add requirements): /us/california/burbank/overlay-districts
Burbank ADUs: /us/california/burbank/adu
California Building Standards Code / Title 24: /us/california/building-codes

Sources

Retrieved passages

Burbank Zoning Code (Title 10) High relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section 10-1-1303.) High relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section 10-1-1303.) High relevance
Burbank Zoning Code High relevance
CBC § 10 (Section 10-1-2707.3) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section or) High relevance
Burbank Zoning Code (Section 10-1-502.) High relevance

Cited sections

Burbank Municipal Code, **§ 10-1-628** (Landscape area, soil depths, tree rates, irrigation and maintenance). (§ 10-1-628)
Burbank Municipal Code, **§ 10-1-603** (Fences, walls, hedges — heights, materials, measurement rules, corner-cutoffs). (§ 10-1-603)
Burbank Municipal Code, **§ 10-1-624 / Table 10-1-624(A)** (Yard features and fence/wall limits in various contexts). (§ 10-1-624)
Storefront / Building-type rules: **§ 10-1-2706.8** and **§ 10-1-2707.7** (5‑ft buffers, 6‑ft masonry wall requirement, screening, and yard/open-space rules). (§ 10-1-2706.8)
NB Zone property development and landscaping: **§ 10-1-2417(B)** (open space and 5‑ft landscaped strip requirements when abutting residential). (§ 10-1-2417)
MPC-3 Zone open-space and buffer rules: **§ 10-1-2613(B)**. (§ 10-1-2613)
Site landscaping/screening and maintenance subsections (trees, irrigation, screening for utilities/loading, 18‑month maturity): excerpts in code (see related site landscape provisions). **§ 10-1-628** and site landscaping references. (§ 10-1-628)
Fence exception permit process and findings: **§ 10-1-19200–19201** (Minor and Major Fence Exception Permits). (§ 10-1-19200)
RC zone excerpts and specific planting/parking-buffer rules: RC zone provisions excerpted in the code.
Burbank Zoning & Planning Overview: /us/california/burbank
Burbank Zoning: /us/california/burbank/zoning
Burbank Land Use: /us/california/burbank/land-use
Burbank Development Standards (setbacks, tables): /us/california/burbank/development-standards
Burbank Parking (landscape islands and parking-lot landscaping interaction): /us/california/burbank/parking
Burbank Design Review (discretionary contexts): /us/california/burbank/design-review
Burbank Overlay Districts (where overlays add requirements): /us/california/burbank/overlay-districts
Burbank ADUs: /us/california/burbank/adu
California Building Standards Code / Title 24: /us/california/building-codes (Title 24)
Burbank_ZoningCode.md

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping does a new single‑family home in Burbank have to show?

You must show the minimum lot-level landscape area and that front and street-facing side yards are at least 50% landscaped, provide required trees at one per 40 linear feet of frontage, meet planter/soil-depth minimums (12" turf, 18" shrubs, 3' for trees), and submit an irrigation and maintenance plan. See § 10-1-628 for the full specifications.

If my commercial property borders R‑1 homes, what buffer is required?

When commercial/storefront or mixed-use buildings abut residentially-zoned lots the code typically requires a 5‑foot landscaped buffer plus a decorative masonry wall at least 6 feet tall and evergreen trees to screen views; some plan areas require wider 20‑foot open-space buffers. See § 10-1-2707.7(F) and the zone-specific buffer rules.

How high can I build a fence in the front yard or street-facing side yard?

Fence and wall heights in front and street-facing side yards are limited by the tables in the code (refer to Table 10-1-603(A) or Table 10-1-624(A)); combined fence+retaining wall height in front setbacks is limited (example: 4 feet maximum in some front setback conditions), and hedges may have separate allowances. Check § 10-1-603 and the applicable table for your zone.

Can I use chain-link fencing or razor wire?

Razor wire, barbed wire, and electric wire are prohibited in fences/walls/hedges. Chain-link fences are prohibited in front yards and street-facing side yards in many zones; limited chain-link is allowed in industrial contexts or around wireless facilities if not visible from the public right-of-way. See § 10-1-603 and the WTF provisions for exceptions.

What screening is required for trash enclosures and loading docks?

Loading areas, trash enclosures, storage, and utilities must be screened with berms, landscaping, walls or buildings; if landscaping is used it must be of sufficient maturity to achieve screening within 18 months, to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works. See § 10-1-628 for screening requirements.

Do I need irrigation and ongoing maintenance shown on plans?

Yes. The code requires irrigation systems for all landscaped areas (head‑to‑head coverage, minimize overspray) and ongoing maintenance obligations (pruning, replacement of damaged components, weed control). See § 10-1-628 and the maintenance subsections.

What if I want a taller wall than the code allows?

If your proposed fence or wall exceeds the standard heights you must apply for a Minor or Major Fence Exception Permit depending on height and impact; the process involves findings, public notice, and possible Planning Commission review for major exceptions. See § 10-1-19200–19201.

How is fence height measured on sloped ground?

Fence/wall height is measured from the abutting natural grade prior to grading or from the finished grade after grading — whichever is lower — and stair-step designs are allowed where required. Confirm grade references on plans. See § 10-1-603.

Will parking-lot landscaping requirements affect my layout?

Yes. Parking-lot and parking-court landscaping rules (minimum buffers, required trees in island spacings, and limits on surface parking frontage) interact with stall layouts and counts; coordinate with the City’s parking standards when designing islands and perimeter buffers. /us/california/burbank/parking

Are there special tree species or native-plant requirements in some zones?

Yes — some zones and special plan areas (e.g., RC) specify native plant species and particular street trees such as California Sycamore. Always check the zone-specific standards for required palettes. See the RC zone excerpts and zone landscaping rules. ---

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