Chowchilla — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Chowchilla zoning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (fences, walls, buffers, and tree/planting expectations) across the city’s zones. It focuses only on the local zoning rules (Title 18 of the Municipal Code) and the landscape standards in Chapter 18.52; it does not interpret building-code (Title 24) or state housing law. For jurisdictional context see the city’s Chowchilla zoning & planning overview and the code’s Zoning and Development Standards pages. Throughout this page I link to related local pages you may need: parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Key takeaways up front:

• The city requires landscaping per the consolidated landscape standards in Chapter 18.52; most base zones then incorporate that requirement by reference (e.g., § 18.52.020, § 18.52.050) .
• Many zone chapters require a landscaped street setback (commonly 15 ft) and prohibit fences/walls within that landscaped street area; several non-residential zones require a 7‑foot solid block wall where the site adjoins residential zones (see the district matrix below for exact citations) .
• Detailed planting and irrigation plan submittal, and compliance with the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), are required for projects subject to landscape plans (§ 18.52.040–.060) .

How the rules are organized (short)

• The technical requirements and plan submittal rules live in Chapter 18.52 (Landscape Standards: purpose, applicability, plan requirements, MWELO compliance) — § 18.52.010–.060 .
• Each base-zone chapter (e.g., R-L, R-M, R-H, MX, I-L, I-H, OS, PF) repeats two consistent cross-references: (1) "Landscaping shall be provided for each use as prescribed in Chapter 18.52" and (2) "Fences and walls shall be provided ... in accordance with Sections 18.50.110 and 18.50.120," with additional zone-specific rules about block walls, heights, and placement (see district breakdown and table below). Examples appear at § 18.10.160, § 18.10.170, § 18.12.160, § 18.12.170, § 18.30.120, § 18.30.130, etc. .

District-by-district breakdown

Each subsection below gives the purpose (where available in the retrieved materials), typical permitted uses (by reference to the land-use table), the landscaping/screening rules that specifically control decisions, and where the rules apply.

R-L (Low Density Residential) — R-L

• Purpose / where it applies: The R-L chapter applies to low-density residential parcels in Chowchilla (see the chapter headings and land-use table references in the ordinance) — permitted uses are set by the land use table in § 18.08.030 .
• Landscaping: Landscaping required per § 18.10.160 (landscaping must follow Chapter 18.52) and yard areas visible from the street must be planted or consist of permitted artificial turf/permeable surfaces; installation timing and maintenance required by the chapter .
• Screening / fences / walls: Fences/walls must comply with § 18.50.110 and § 18.50.120, as incorporated by § 18.10.170; the code generally prohibits placing a fence or wall in front of or within a landscaped area next to a street (see § 18.10.170) .
• Practical decision points: street setback landscaping (commonly 15 ft in other zones) and no fences inside that street-facing landscape area; verify driveway width limits that affect landscape area (§ 18.10.160 on driveway widening allowances) .

R-M (Medium Density Residential) — R-M (includes R-M-5, R-M-6)

• Purpose / typical uses: Intended for medium-density housing; permitted uses per the land-use table in § 18.08.030; see the chapter header § 18.12.010 for the zone application .
• Landscaping: § 18.12.160 requires landscaping per Chapter 18.52, with the same live-plant/ornamentation requirement for yard areas visible from streets and timing for installation (within six months for many residential developments) .
• Screening / fences / walls: § 18.12.170 incorporates § 18.50.110/120 for fences/walls; many zones (including R-M) are listed as zones that trigger a 7‑ft block wall requirement along a side or rear lot line when abutting heavier or special districts (see other zone language below) — verify adjacency rules for a given project (see § citations in the applicable nonresidential zone) .

R-M (Medium‑High Density) — R-M (Medium‑High) (chapter 18.14)

• Purpose: See § 18.14.010 (zone purpose and application); permitted uses by land use table § 18.08.030 .
• Landscaping: § 18.14.160 requires landscaping per Chapter 18.52, with street-visible yard planting or allowable artificial turf/permeable surfaces; installation timelines and maintenance follow the chapter .
• Screening: § 18.14.170 incorporates the general fence/wall rules in Chapter 18.50 (see § 18.50.110/120) .

R-H (High Density Residential) — R-H

• Purpose / uses: High‑density residential; permitted uses by the land use table § 18.08.030 and chapter header § 18.16.010 (see the ordinance) .
• Landscaping: § 18.16.150 refers projects to Chapter 18.52 for landscape requirements; yard-visible plantings and timing standards apply (install within six months for most residential occupancy scenarios) .
• Screening: § 18.16.160 references § 18.50.110/120 for fences and walls; keep in mind block wall adjacency rules elsewhere in the code may require specific masonry walls where nonresidential uses abut residential zones (see nonresidential zone citations) .

MX / MX‑D (Mixed Use / Downtown Mixed Use) — MX, MX‑D

• Purpose / uses: Mixed residential/commercial uses as allowed in the land use table (§ 18.08.030); MX-D (downtown) carries additional downtown design guidelines § 18.26.160 .
• Landscaping: § 18.28.130/18.26.130/18.26.130 (various MX chapters) require landscaping per Chapter 18.52, and parking/streetscape rules require landscaped buffers between parking and lot lines in some MX chapters .
• Screening: MX-D and MX chapters adopt the general fence/wall provisions and, in several places, a 7‑ft block wall is required along side/rear lot lines that abut residential zones (§ 18.26.130 and similar) — this is commonly enforced for mixed-use sites next to R-L/R-M/R-H parcels .
• Design review: MX‑D parcels are subject to the downtown design guidelines; anticipate design review for streetscape/landscape treatments and façade/landscape coordination .

C-N (Neighborhood Commercial) — C-N

• Purpose / uses: Provides commercial uses that serve adjacent residential neighborhoods; permitted uses follow § 18.08.030 (land use table) and the chapter header § 18.20.010 .
• Landscaping / screening: The retrieved materials for C‑N in the files do not explicitly show a discrete landscaping or screening subsection; the general rule still applies that all developments must provide landscaping per Chapter 18.52 (see § 18.52.020) and fences/walls must comply with § 18.50.110/120. If you have a C‑N project, verify whether the specific site chapter or site-plan review imposes additional landscape buffering requirements. Not found in retrieved materials: a C‑N-specific landscaping subsection number that repeats the standard language visible in other zones .

I-L (Light Industrial) — I-L

• Purpose / uses: Industrial/manufacturing uses primarily inside buildings; see § 18.32.010 and permitted uses in the land-use table § 18.08.030 .
• Landscaping: § 18.30.120 requires landscaping per Chapter 18.52, including a landscaped setback area (commonly 15 ft where abutting streets unless covered by parking/driveways) and requires installation prior to occupancy .
• Screening / fences / walls: § 18.30.130 incorporates § 18.50.110/120 and specifically requires a block wall with a minimum height of seven feet along any side or rear lot line that abuts an R-L, R-M, R-MH, R-H, or PF zone district; no fence/wall inside a landscaped street area; outdoor storage must be fully screened behind a minimum 7‑ft solid fence or wall (unless modified under site-plan review) .

I-H (Heavy Industrial) — I-H

• Purpose / uses: Heavy industrial activities with special controls to avoid impacts on adjacent uses; permitted uses by the land-use table § 18.08.030 and chapter context (e.g., § 18.34.010/chapter text) .
• Landscaping: § 18.34.120 requires landscaping where buildings and parking areas have been disturbed; typical requirement is to landscape street‑visible setbacks and other project areas per Chapter 18.52 .
• Screening / fences / walls: § 18.34.130 requires compliance with § 18.50.110/120, and many industrial sections explicitly require a 7‑ft block wall along side/rear lot lines abutting residential or public facility zones. Outdoor storage must be fully screened by a solid wall or fence (minimum 7 ft) and not visible above the wall, unless modified by site plan review .

PF (Public Facilities) — PF

• Purpose / uses: Public facilities and community infrastructure uses; permitted uses described in the land-use table § 18.08.030 and in the PF chapter (see § 18.36.010 and related sections) .
• Landscaping: PF projects are subject to § 18.36.130 which incorporates the Chapter 18.52 standards; public facilities often have special planting and maintenance expectations under that chapter .
• Screening: Fences/walls must follow § 18.50.110/120 as incorporated by § 18.36.160; certain PF adjacencies to residential zones may trigger the 7‑ft block wall requirement in other zone chapters addressing abutting uses (check adjacent zone sections listed above) .

OS (Open Space) — OS

• Purpose / uses: Open space, conservation, recreation, and landscape corridors; see § 18.38.010 for the OS zone purpose and application .
• Landscaping: § 18.38.130 requires that “areas around buildings and parking areas that have been disturbed from their natural state shall be landscaped with natural landscape plants and materials that blend in with the natural environment on the site” — the OS chapter applies a conservation-oriented approach to landscape choices .
• Screening: § 18.38.140 references § 18.50.110/120 for fences/walls; OS zones typically discourage intrusive, non‑natural screening but still require code-compliant fences where needed and comply with the related sections .

Quick decision table — most decision‑relevant items

What the landscape standards (Chapter 18.52) actually require — highlights

• Purpose and applicability: Chapter 18.52 exists to improve appearance, control erosion, reduce water use, and meet MWELO; it applies to all development projects and requires submission of landscape plans where applicable (§ 18.52.010–.020) .
• Plan submission and professionals: The director may require a landscape concept plan for discretionary reviews; construction landscape and irrigation plans (for non-single-family sites) must be prepared by a licensed landscape architect, contractor, or qualified professional and must comply with the State MWELO (§ 18.52.030–.040) .
• Areas to be landscaped: All building setback areas and open-space areas visible from the public right‑of‑way must be landscaped; parking must be landscaped per Chapter 18.54; any areas of the site not intended for a specific use should be landscaped unless the director finds it unnecessary (§ 18.52.050) .
• MWELO and irrigation: Plans must comply with the latest Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; irrigation design, plant choice, and maintenance to minimize water use are explicitly required (§ 18.52.010.C, § 18.52.040.B–.C) .

Checklist

• Submit a landscape plan where required (site plan review, subdivision, or building permit) as described in § 18.52.020–.040; if non-single-family, make sure the plan is drawn on the minimum sheet size and prepared by the required design professional .
• Ensure the plan meets MWELO and the irrigation design requirements in § 18.52.040 (show water budgets, valve locations, etc.) .
• Provide landscaping in street setbacks and yard areas visible from the street as required in your zone (e.g., § 18.10.160, § 18.12.160, § 18.30.120 etc.) .
• For sites abutting residential zones, anticipate construction of a 7‑ft masonry/block wall where that requirement appears in the applicable base‑zone chapter (e.g., § 18.30.130, § 18.34.130, § 18.36.130, § 18.26.160/130) .
• Do not place fences or solid walls in front of or inside any landscaped street setback (several zone sections explicitly prohibit this) — see § 18.10.170, § 18.30.130, § 18.34.130 .
• Coordinate parking layout with required landscape islands (see parking and Chapter 18.54) and confirm no required parking spaces are within required setbacks (§ 18.30.100, § 18.36.110) .
• If your project is in an overlay zone (for example the Airport Overlay) or subject to design review or downtown guidelines, check overlay/guide chapters for additional landscape or screening requirements (verify with the overlay chapter) .
• Verify maintenance and enforcement expectations: the code lists failure to maintain required landscaping or walls as an enforcement item (see the enforcement chapter references) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Chowchilla requires landscaping for virtually all development and consolidates the technical planting and irrigation rules in Chapter 18.52; most zones require street‑visible yards to be planted and prohibit fences inside those landscaped areas, while non‑residential sites adjoining residential zones commonly must build a 7‑foot masonry/block wall and fully screen outdoor storage. Always submit the landscape/irrigation plans when required and follow MWELO and the professionals’ requirements in § 18.52.030–.040 .

Source References

• Chapter 18.52 — Landscape Standards, purpose, applicability, plan submittal, and MWELO requirements: § 18.52.010–.060 .
• R‑L zone landscaping & screening: § 18.10.160, § 18.10.170 .
• R‑M zone landscaping & screening: § 18.12.160, § 18.12.170 .
• R‑M (Medium‑High) landscaping & screening: § 18.14.160, § 18.14.170 .
• R‑H zone landscaping & screening: § 18.16.150–.160 .
• C‑N chapter (general reference to land use table): Chapter header and land‑use references § 18.20.010–.050; explicit C‑N landscaping subsection not retrieved in the file excerpts — verify with planning staff .
• Mixed Use / MX‑D landscaping & screening: § 18.26.130, § 18.28.130, plus downtown design guidelines § 18.26.160 .
• Light Industrial (I‑L) landscaping/screening: § 18.30.120–.130 .
• Heavy Industrial (I‑H) landscaping/screening: § 18.34.120–.130 .
• Public Facilities (PF) landscaping/screening: § 18.36.130–.160 .
• Open Space (OS) landscaping/screening: § 18.38.130–.140 .
• General cross‑references to the land use table and zoning application: § 18.08.020–.030 references appear throughout zone chapters (land use table) .
• Note: Specific fence/wall construction and measurement details are in the fence/wall sections referenced across zones (§ 18.50.110, § 18.50.120), which are cited by many zone chapters (see the zone sections listed above) — content of Chapter 18.50 itself was referenced but not detailed in the retrieved excerpts. Verify Chapter 18.50 for precise fence‑height, materials, and openness requirements.

Retrieved passages

• Chowchilla Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (Section 65852.21) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Chowchilla Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **Chapter 18.52 — Landscape Standards**, purpose, applicability, plan submittal, and MWELO requirements: **§ 18.52.010–.060** . (Chapter 18.52)
• **R‑L zone landscaping & screening**: **§ 18.10.160**, **§ 18.10.170** . (§ 18.10.160)
• **R‑M zone landscaping & screening**: **§ 18.12.160**, **§ 18.12.170** . (§ 18.12.160)
• **R‑M (Medium‑High) landscaping & screening**: **§ 18.14.160**, **§ 18.14.170** . (§ 18.14.160)
• **R‑H zone landscaping & screening**: **§ 18.16.150–.160** . (§ 18.16.150)
• **C‑N chapter (general reference to land use table)**: Chapter header and land‑use references **§ 18.20.010–.050**; explicit C‑N landscaping subsection not retrieved in the file excerpts — verify with planning staff . (Chapter header)
• **Mixed Use / MX‑D landscaping & screening**: **§ 18.26.130**, **§ 18.28.130**, plus downtown design guidelines **§ 18.26.160** . (§ 18.26.130)
• **Light Industrial (I‑L)** landscaping/screening: **§ 18.30.120–.130** . (§ 18.30.120)
• **Heavy Industrial (I‑H)** landscaping/screening: **§ 18.34.120–.130** . (§ 18.34.120)
• **Public Facilities (PF)** landscaping/screening: **§ 18.36.130–.160** . (§ 18.36.130)
• **Open Space (OS)** landscaping/screening: **§ 18.38.130–.140** . (§ 18.38.130)
• General cross‑references to the land use table and zoning application: **§ 18.08.020–.030** references appear throughout zone chapters (land use table) . (§ 18.08.020)
• Note: Specific fence/wall construction and measurement details are in the fence/wall sections referenced across zones (**§ 18.50.110**, **§ 18.50.120**), which are cited by many zone chapters (see the zone sections listed above) — content of **Chapter 18.50** itself was referenced but not detailed in the retrieved excerpts. Verify Chapter **18.50** for precise fence‑height, materials, and openness requirements. (§ 18.50.110)
• Chowchilla_ZoningCode.md

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