Local zoning · City of Industry

City of Industry — Landscaping and Screening

Landscaping and Screening under the City of Industry local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

The City of Industry’s zoning code places landscaping and screening expectations primarily in the Design Review chapter of Title 17, which applies to development in all zoning districts and overlays. In practice, this means projects must show landscaped street edges, screen views of equipment and loading, and integrate walls and fences with building design as part of design review submittals. These standards materially shape site planning alongside zoning, land use, and development standards.

Most projects in Industry must landscape at least 12% of the site, include a minimum 3-foot planting strip along public street edges, and fully screen mechanical equipment and street-facing loading areas from public view (§ 17.36.060(Q), (G), (R) ).

Citywide framework for landscaping and screening (Title 17 Design Review)

Development plan review is required before permits for new construction or exterior changes, and the submittal must clearly show walls/fences and site landscaping areas (§ 17.36.020; § 17.36.040(A)(2), (6) ).
Baseline landscape area: “may constitute a minimum of twelve percent” of the total lot, configured to reduce monotony of buildings/parking. Provide a minimum 3-foot-wide landscape strip along property lines adjacent to public roadways or other areas with unobstructed public views (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).
Mechanical equipment (including roof-mounted) must be screened from public view with materials/colors compatible with the building; if screening is impracticable, equipment must be painted nonreflective and compatible (§ 17.36.060(G) ).
Loading docks on the front or side must be screened so they are not visible—by an 8‑foot masonry wall, accessory structures, or landscaping—where feasible; preference is to locate docks at the rear (§ 17.36.060(R) ).
Fences/walls must be harmonious with principal buildings; boundary walls should generally be decorative masonry and/or wrought iron complementary to the project (§ 17.36.060(I)–(J) ).
Landscape water efficiency: design must comply with the city’s water efficient landscape regulations in Chapter 13.18 when applicable (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).

District-by-district: how landscaping and screening apply

M — Industrial

Purpose and typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.
What matters for landscaping/screening:
- The citywide baseline applies: at least a 12% landscaped area with a 3 ft landscaped edge along streets (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).
- Screening is required for mechanical equipment and front/side loading docks (§ 17.36.060(G), (R) ).
- A minimum 30 ft building setback from the street curb is used in the city’s development guidelines, shaping the width of the landscape frontage and sight lines (§ 17.36.060(L) ).
Where it applies: Industrially zoned parcels designated “M” on the city’s zoning map. Verify with City of Industry Zoning.

M-A — Industrial (Automotive/Advanced Industrial)

Purpose and typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.
What matters for landscaping/screening:
- The 12% landscape baseline and 3 ft street-edge planting strip apply (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).
- Mechanical and rooftop equipment must be screened; finish to match the main structure where screening is not feasible (§ 17.36.060(G) ).
- Front/side loading must be screened (8 ft masonry wall/landscaping) or located at the rear where feasible (§ 17.36.060(R) ).
- A 30 ft curb setback informs frontage landscape depth (§ 17.36.060(L) ).
Where it applies: Industrial areas mapped “M-A.” Verify with City of Industry Zoning.

PD — Planned Development (discretionary)

Purpose: Site-specific planned developments set their own standards through a plan of development approved by the City.
What matters for landscaping/screening:
- Applications must include preliminary landscaping plans; proposed site development standards can tailor landscaping and screening beyond the baseline citywide guidance (§ 17.24.050(D), (E) ).
- Expect the 12% baseline and 3 ft street-edge strip to serve as a floor unless the PD establishes different, council-approved standards consistent with design review (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).
Where it applies: Parcels approved as Planned Developments (minimum area 150 acres) per the City’s PD process (§ 17.24.040 ). See Overlay Districts.

Use-specific overlay: Wireless Telecommunications Facilities (all districts)

No net loss of required landscaping when siting a facility; roof-mounted facilities must be screened with devices compatible with the building (§ 17.70.060(A)(3), (A)(13) ).
Practical effect: new equipment should be sited to avoid removing frontage planting or required landscaped areas; screening must blend with architecture. See also Signage for any related identification signs at facilities.

Key landscape and screening triggers

Topic	City standard (plain English)	Applies to	Code Reference
Minimum landscaped area	Provide at least 12% of the total lot area as landscaping	All projects subject to design review	§ 17.36.060(Q)
Street-edge planting	Provide a continuous 3 ft minimum landscaped strip along property lines adjacent to public roadways/unobstructed public views	All districts	§ 17.36.060(Q)
Mechanical equipment	Screen from public view; if screening is impracticable, finish equipment to be nonreflective and compatible	All districts	§ 17.36.060(G)
Loading docks (front/side)	Screen with 8 ft masonry wall, accessory structures, or landscaping; otherwise locate to rear when feasible	Industrial/commercial projects	§ 17.36.060(R)
Walls and fences	Design must be harmonious with buildings; boundary walls generally decorative masonry and/or wrought iron	All districts	§ 17.36.060(I)–(J)
Plan contents	Show walls/fences (location/height) and all site landscaping areas on the development plan	All projects in design review	§ 17.36.040(A)(2), (6)
Wireless facilities	May not reduce required landscaping; roof-mounted equipment must be screened	All districts	§ 17.70.060(A)(3), (A)(13)
Water efficiency	Landscaping must meet the City’s water efficient landscape regulations when applicable	All districts	§ 17.36.060(Q) (referencing Ch. 13.18)

Practical guidance for submittals

Frontage first: allocate the first 3 ft off any public street or place with unobstructed public view to landscaping; widen as needed to achieve visual screening and hit the 12% site minimum (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).
Compose the screen: show walls, berms, and layered plantings that fully block views of front/side loading and all mechanical units (§ 17.36.060(G), (R) ).
Coordinate with parking: maintain sight lines at driveways while meeting screening goals; depict driveway widths and visibility on the plan (§ 17.36.040(A)(3) ).
Detail materials: indicate wall/fence materials and colors that are compatible with the building; decorative masonry/wrought iron is the City’s preferred direction (§ 17.36.060(I)–(J) ).
Water-wise: if Chapter 13.18 applies, note the hydrozones, irrigation, and water budget compliance on your drawings (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).
PD or overlays: if in a Planned Development or other overlay, align with any site-specific landscape/screening standards approved for that area (§ 17.24.050(D), (E) ). See Overlay Districts.

Checklist

Confirm base zoning and any overlays in City of Industry Zoning and Overlay Districts.
Prepare a design review package that includes walls/fences and all landscaping areas (§ 17.36.040(A)(2), (6) ).
Provide landscape area calculations meeting or exceeding the 12% minimum and a 3 ft landscaped street-edge strip (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).
Show screening strategies and sections for mechanical equipment and any front/side loading areas (§ 17.36.060(G), (R) ).
Verify that wireless facilities (if any) do not reduce required landscaping; integrate roof-mounted screens (§ 17.70.060(A)(3), (A)(13) ).
Note water-efficient landscape compliance where applicable (Chapter 13.18, referenced in § 17.36.060(Q) ).
Coordinate with development standards that affect frontage width and sight lines (e.g., 30 ft curb setback guideline in § 17.36.060(L) ).
If signage or monuments are proposed within landscaped areas, ensure consistency with signage.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
“Harmonious” materials and colors for walls/fences are subjective	Aesthetic compatibility findings affect approval outcomes	Early consult with staff on wall/fence palettes under § 17.36.060(I)–(J)
Extent of equipment and dock screening	Inadequate screening can trigger redesign and delays	Confirm acceptable screening heights/materials for your context under § 17.36.060(G), (R)
District-specific landscape ratios beyond 12%	Some projects or PDs could require more landscaping	PD standards under § 17.24.050(D), (E) and any conditions of approval; otherwise rely on § 17.36.060(Q)
Impacts of wireless facilities on planting	Siting can unintentionally remove required planting	“No net loss” rule in § 17.70.060(A)(3) and feasible screening in (A)(13)
Interface with driveway/parking visibility	Landscaping can’t block safe sight lines	Show sight triangles per § 17.36.040(A)(3) and coordinate with parking
Self-service storage special standards	Separate, use-specific landscaping/screening standards likely apply	Not found in retrieved materials (exact §). Verify with the jurisdiction

Plain-English Summary

If you’re developing in the City of Industry, plan to landscape roughly one‑eighth of your site, run a planted strip along the street edge, and hide equipment and loading areas with walls, berms, or plantings. These expectations are checked during design review and overlay any district rules, so bring complete wall/fence, planting, and screening details up front.

Source References

§ 17.36.020 (Design Review—development plan review required)
§ 17.36.040(A)(2), (6) (Plan contents: walls/fences; landscaping areas)
§ 17.36.060(G), (I)–(J), (L), (Q), (R) (Design guidelines: equipment screening; walls/fences compatibility; curb setback; landscape minimum/strip; dock screening)
§ 17.24.040, § 17.24.050(D), (E) (Planned Development—minimum area; required preliminary landscaping; ability to set site standards)
§ 17.70.060(A)(3), (A)(13) (Wireless facilities—no net loss of landscaping; roof-mounted screening)
Chapter 13.18 (Water Efficient Landscape Regulations), as referenced in § 17.36.060(Q)
See also the City of Industry zoning & planning overview for context.

Sources

Retrieved passages

City of Industry Zoning Code High relevance
City of Industry Zoning Code High relevance
CBC § 6 (§ 6) High relevance
City of Industry Zoning Code High relevance
City of Industry Zoning Code High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
City of Industry Zoning Code (§ 12) High relevance
City of Industry Zoning Code (§ 17.24.040.) High relevance

Cited sections

Official City of Industry code library

Frequently asked questions

How much of my site must be landscaped in the City of Industry?

Provide at least 12% of the lot area as landscaping and include a 3-foot planting strip along public street edges (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).

Do I have to screen rooftop and ground-mounted mechanical equipment?

Yes. Mechanical equipment must be screened from public view; if screening isn’t feasible, it must be finished to be nonreflective and compatible with the building (§ 17.36.060(G) ).

Are truck loading docks required to be screened?

If located on the front or side, loading docks must be screened—typically by an 8-foot masonry wall, accessory structures, or landscaping. Rear location is preferred when feasible (§ 17.36.060(R) ).

What do I need to submit for landscaping and screening at design review?

Your development plan must show walls and fences (location/height) and all site landscaping areas, along with parking/circulation and other required sheets (§ 17.36.040(A)(2), (6) ). Coordinate early with design review.

Does Industry require a landscaped strip along the street?

Yes. Provide a minimum 3-foot landscaped strip along property lines adjacent to public roadways or other areas with unobstructed public views (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).

Can a wireless facility reduce my required landscaping?

No. Wireless telecommunications facilities may not cause a net loss of required landscaping; roof-mounted facilities must be screened compatibly with the building (§ 17.70.060(A)(3), (A)(13) ).

Are there preferred materials for perimeter walls and fences?

Yes. Boundary walls should generally be decorative masonry and/or wrought iron, and all walls/fences must be harmonious with the building design (§ 17.36.060(I)–(J) ).

How do setbacks affect my frontage landscaping?

City design guidelines set a minimum 30-foot setback from the curb for buildings, which typically expands the frontage area available for landscaping and screening (§ 17.36.060(L) ).

Do PDs or overlays change landscaping rules?

They can. Planned Developments must include preliminary landscaping plans and can establish site-specific standards approved by the City (§ 17.24.050(D), (E) ). See Overlay Districts.

Does Chapter 13.18 apply to my project?

If the City determines it applies, your landscape design must comply with Industry’s water efficient landscape regulations; this is referenced in the citywide design review guidelines (§ 17.36.060(Q) ).

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