Local zoning · Cloverdale

Cloverdale — Landscaping and Screening

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

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Cloverdale's zoning code requires about landscaping, screening, buffers, fences/walls, and tree protection for development and site changes within the city. It is drawn from Cloverdale's Title 18 (Zoning) chapters on special provisions, planned developments, industrial site standards, and the dedicated tree‑preservation chapter. Verify parcel‑specific requirements with the city before submitting plans. Key controlling authorities include § 18.09.030 (fences/walls/hedges), § 18.06.040 (industrial setbacks and landscape buffers), the Planned Development rules in Chapter 18.08, and the tree regulations in Chapter 18.17 .

Note: design and landscape items may be reviewed under Cloverdale’s design review procedures; see Cloverdale Design Review for review thresholds and required submittals. Cloverdale Design Review

What the code requires — by topic

Tree protection and tree‑preservation plans: All development projects must preserve trees to the greatest extent feasible and submit a tree preservation plan showing inventory, protected trees, proposed removals, and new plantings. The tree chapter sets inventory thresholds (e.g., DBH measurements) and requires arborist input and mitigation/maintenance measures (§ 18.17.010–.150) .
Fences, walls, and hedges: General standards and visibility/height rules are handled in the special provisions chapter; planned developments and subdivisions may have additional, project‑level fencing rules (e.g., courtyard walls, six‑foot side/rear fences, street adjacency fences) (§ 18.09.030, § 18.08.020) .
Landscaping required in setbacks and buffers: When a nonresidential use abuts residential zoning or a street (industrial or entry commercial areas), the code requires landscape strips, berms/walls and minimum landscape widths (examples in industrial site standards and specific plan provisions) (§ 18.06.040, § 18.08.040) .
Screening of equipment and receptacles: Ground‑level mechanical equipment and trash/recycling enclosures must be screened by fencing, walls or landscaping per site design rules (§ 18.08.020) .
Conditions on permits: The Planning Commission or Director may require landscaping, screening, and maintenance as conditions on Conditional Use Permits, Variances, PUDs, and Precise Development Plans (§ 18.03.110, § 18.03.140, § 18.03.100) .

Because landscaping and screening are tightly linked with site design and adjacent land uses, several chapters interact: the zoning district standards (Chapters 18.04–18.06), special provisions (Chapter 18.09), planned developments (Chapter 18.08), and tree protection (Chapter 18.17) .

You may also need to cross‑check plantings, visibility, and lighting with signage and parking rules; see Cloverdale Parking and Cloverdale Signage.

District‑by‑district breakdown (where the code ties landscaping/screening to district rules)

Note: Cloverdale’s code is organized by district chapters. Below are the districts most relevant to landscaping and screening and the specific code citations that control how screening/landscape features are applied.

R-1 and R-2 — Residential zoning districts

Purpose & typical uses: Single‑family and multi‑family housing (see Chapter 18.04). The general plan and Chapter 18.04 identify residential site development standards and required yards; landscaping and tree protection apply to residential developments and are enforced through plot plan and development review (§ 18.04.040–.050, cross‑referenced in Chapter 18.03) .
Landscaping & screening rules: Residential projects are subject to tree preservation requirements (Chapter 18.17) and any privacy fencing rules in special provisions. Planned unit developments (P‑D) and subdivisions may have more detailed landscaping/fencing requirements per their precise development plans (§ 18.17.010–.150, § 18.08.020) .
Typical dimensional standards: See residential site development tables in Chapter 18.04 for setbacks and lot coverage; the code allows courtyard walls and specifies front‑yard courtyard wall heights in PD rules (§ 18.08.020) .

G‑C (Gateway / Entry Commercial) and other Commercial districts

Purpose & uses: Commercial uses governed by Chapter 18.05. Certain commercial frontages (for example, Asti Road/entry corridors) require larger landscape setbacks and city‑approved frontage landscaping to achieve a visual buffer (§ 18.08.040) .
Landscaping & screening rules: Entry commercial development along major corridors may require a 20‑ft front setback with city‑approved landscaping and, in some cases, a 20‑ft minimum front/side/rear setback with landscaping per the specific plan language (§ 18.08.040) .
Screening: Service areas, trash enclosures, and ground equipment must be screened and are subject to design review (§ 18.08.020, § 18.03.150) .

M‑1 and M‑P — Industrial districts

Purpose & uses: Light and heavier industrial uses; see Chapter 18.06. When industrial sites abut residential districts, the code explicitly requires large buffer setbacks and landscaped strips to reduce impacts (§ 18.06.040).
Key landscape/screen requirements: If an industrial zoning district abuts or is across the street from a residential district, a minimum 50‑ft setback from the residential property line is required; 15 ft of that setback adjacent to the street or residential boundary must be landscaped and a 3‑ft wall/berm or combined wall/berm must be constructed within the landscaped area. Along other lot lines adjacent to residential districts, walls are required in accordance with Chapter 18.09 (§ 18.06.040) .
Parking/landscape interplay: The industrial setback area (beyond the landscaped 15‑ft) may be used for off‑street parking, but the landscaped strip and wall/berm are mandatory to provide screening (§ 18.06.040) .

P‑D / Planned Development and Specific Plan districts

Purpose & uses: Flexible, project‑level rules to achieve higher quality/site‑sensitive design (Chapter 18.08).
Landscaping & screening rules: P‑D approvals frequently set project‑specific fencing types, landscape corridors, and tree preservation measures. Example: some P‑Ds require project‑wide CC&R‑controlled fencing types (knee walls, wrought iron on walls, split‑rail adjacent to water features) and city‑approved landscape along arterial frontages (§ 18.08.020, § 18.08.040) .
Design review and precise development plans: Precise development plans must include landscape, visual analyses, and may be conditioned to include berms, walls, and trees (§ 18.03.100, § 18.03.150) .

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant landscaping & screening standards

Topic / trigger	What the code requires	Code Reference
Tree preservation plan for most development projects	Submit inventory of all trees ≥24" DBH, identify protected trees, show trees to be removed and replacement/protection measures; arborist recommendations required	§ 18.17.120
Industrial adjacent to residential	50 ft minimum setback when industrial abuts residential; 15 ft of that setback adjacent to street/residential boundary must be landscaped; 3‑ft wall/berm in landscaped area	§ 18.06.040
Fences/Walls in PDs and subdivisions	Side/rear yards: up to 6 ft permitted; courtyard/front walls limited (e.g., courtyard walls encroaching into front yard ≤3 ft in height); street‑adjacent required fencing described in PD rules	§ 18.08.020, § 18.09.030
Screening of AC units and trash enclosures	Ground units must be inside fenced yard or screened with wall/fence/landscaping; trash areas restricted to garages or screened areas behind the leading edge of the house	§ 18.08.020
Design review involvement	Landscaping and screening are reviewable under major/minor design review; projects must address landscaping per Chapter 18.10 and design guidelines	§ 18.03.150
Permit conditions	Conditional use permits, variances, and PUDs may be conditioned to require landscaping, buffers, walls and maintenance	§ 18.03.110, § 18.03.140

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain‑English, used by staff and applicants)

If your site has trees, assume you must prepare a tree preservation plan with a qualified arborist; the plan must identify protected trees and show how they’ll be preserved or replaced (§ 18.17.120) .
When an industrial site is next to housing, expect a mandatory, wide landscaped buffer (example: 50‑ft setback with 15‑ft landscaped strip and a berm/wall) — this is not optional except by an approved variance (§ 18.06.040) .
Fences are regulated by both the special provisions (Chapter 18.09) and any P‑D or CC&R standards for planned projects; check the PD precise plan (if any) before designing fences (§ 18.09.030, § 18.08.020) .
Expect design review to evaluate whether proposed landscaping provides the required screening, complements required setbacks, and meets the city's objective to protect vistas and neighborhood scale (§ 18.03.150) .
Where the code calls for “City‑approved landscaping” (for example, entry corridors/Asti Road), submit planting palettes and irrigation plans as part of the precise development or permit package (§ 18.08.040) .

Also check related topics that commonly intersect with landscaping and screening: Cloverdale Zoning, Cloverdale Development Standards, Cloverdale Overlay Districts, and Cloverdale ADUs when projects include accessory units. For building code constraints on materials (fire ratings, WUI compliance) consult the California Building Standards Code and applicable local fire requirements.

Checklist — what to include with a typical landscape/screening submittal

A site plan showing all existing and proposed trees, with DBH noted for trees ≥24" (Tree inventory) — § 18.17.120
A tree preservation plan (mitigation measures, protective fencing during construction) — § 18.17.120–.130
Landscape plan with plant list, irrigation, and maintenance notes; show landscape strips required by district or specific plan (e.g., 15 ft landscaped strip in industrial buffer) — § 18.06.040, § 18.08.040
Screening details for mechanical equipment, trash enclosures and service areas (materials, heights, gate details) — § 18.08.020
Fencing/wall section drawings (heights measured from high side of fence), location relative to visibility triangles — § 18.09.030, § 18.08.020
If adjacent to residential, demonstrate conformance to any required buffer widths, berm/wall and planting density — § 18.06.040
For projects requiring discretionary review, include landscape material in the design review packet and visual simulations where required — § 18.03.150

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Protected tree status	Tree protection chapter applies to “protected trees” and creates permitting/mitigation obligations and penalties if removed improperly	Verify whether trees on your parcel meet the protected tree definition and follow § 18.17.050–.150; consult the city arborist
Project‑level PD or CC&R fencing rules	PDs and subdivisions often have bespoke fence/landscape standards that override generic rules	Check the precise PD plan and CC&Rs for the project; see § 18.08.020 for P‑D examples
Industrial‑residential buffer calculation	The code gives an example buffer (50 ft with 15 ft landscaped) but site geometry and street configuration change how it’s measured	Confirm how the setback is measured on your parcel and whether parking is allowed within the setback per § 18.06.040; verify with Planning staff
Visibility / traffic safety area	Fences, landscaping and signs can’t block sight lines; the signage chapter cross‑references fence visibility controls	Verify intersection/driveway visibility requirements and how they apply to planned planting heights; reference § 18.12.060 and § 18.09.030; if unclear, consult the city engineer
Wildland/Fire‑safety landscaping	Local tree/landscape rules may intersect with fire‑safety or WUI rules; the zoning code references tree removal exceptions for fire hazard	Confirm fire clearance and defensible‑space requirements with the Fire Authority and cross‑check with Chapter 18.17; WUI specifics are Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the City/Fire Department
Design review discretion vs. objective standards	Design review is discretionary; some standards are objective but others involve judgement	For residential projects, determine whether objective standards exist under § 18.03.150 and whether your project will trigger major design review

Plain‑English summary

Cloverdale requires developers and homeowners to plan landscaping and screening up front: protect and document significant trees, screen mechanical and trash areas with fences/walls/planting, and provide landscaped buffers where nonresidential uses meet residences (for example, a 50‑ft industrial buffer with a 15‑ft planted strip and wall/berm is required in that situation). Many details are handled by the tree chapter (Chapter 18.17), the fences/walls rules (§ 18.09.030), and district or P‑D rules — include a tree preservation plan and a landscape plan with your permit package to avoid delays.

Source References

Cloverdale Zoning — Conditional Use, Variance, and permit conditions: § 18.03.110, § 18.03.140
Design review authority and standards: § 18.03.150
Planned development / PD design and fencing examples: § 18.08.020, § 18.08.040
Industrial site development standards and required buffers: § 18.06.040 (Table 18.06.040‑A notes on buffers/landscaping)
Special provisions — fences, walls, hedges (general rules referenced throughout Title 18): § 18.09.030
Tree preservation chapter — purpose, applicability, tree inventories, permit and protection requirements: Chapter 18.17 (see § 18.17.010–.150)
Signage and right‑of‑way visibility cross‑references relevant to landscaping/fencing: § 18.12.060–.080
Cloverdale code table of contents and chapter map (for locating district chapters and special provisions): Table of Contents, Chapter listings (Chapters 18.04–18.09, 18.17)

If you want, I can prepare a draft tree preservation exhibit and a checklist of plan sheets tailored to a sample residential or industrial parcel in Cloverdale (you’d need to share the parcel address or APN so I can flag any PD overlays or specific plan rules). Verify all applicability and measurements with the Cloverdale Planning Division before plan submission.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.03.140.) High relevance
Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.17.120) High relevance
Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.08.040) High relevance
Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.08.020) High relevance
Cloverdale Zoning Code (Section 18.03.150) High relevance
Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Cloverdale Zoning Code (title would) High relevance
Cloverdale Zoning Code (§ 18.06.040) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Cloverdale code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping requirements apply if my industrial site borders houses in Cloverdale?

When an industrial district abuts or is across the street from residential zoning, the code requires a minimum 50 ft setback from the residential property line; 15 ft of that setback adjacent to the street or residential boundary must be landscaped and a 3‑ft wall/berm must be provided in the landscaped area. Parking may be located in the remainder of the setback, but the landscaped strip and wall/berm are mandatory (§ 18.06.040) .

Do I need a tree preservation plan for a residential remodel or addition in Cloverdale?

If the project involves development activities (grading, exterior alterations) and there are trees that meet the protected thresholds, a tree preservation plan is required. The plan must inventory trees (including those ≥24" DBH), identify protected trees, and include arborist recommendations and preservation measures (§ 18.17.120–.130) .

What heights are allowed for fences and walls near the front of a house?

Front‑yard courtyard walls are allowed but courtyard walls encroaching into required front yard setbacks may not exceed 3 ft in height; side/rear yard fences may be up to 6 ft as measured from the high side of the fence in many PDs and standard residential situations (§ 18.08.020, § 18.09.030) .

Will the Planning Commission require landscaping as a condition for a conditional use permit?

Yes. The Planning Commission can and commonly does require landscaping, walls, fences, and screening buffers as conditions of approval for conditional use permits and PUDs to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses (§ 18.03.110, § 18.03.100) .

How should I show mechanical equipment or trash enclosures on my plans?

Ground‑level AC units and trash receptacle areas must be located inside a fenced yard or screened with walls, fencing, or landscaping; details (height, materials, distance from property lines) should be shown on the landscape/site plan so reviewers can verify compliance (§ 18.08.020) .

Are there special landscape requirements for entry corridors like Asti Road?

Yes. Certain entry corridors in Cloverdale are subject to specific frontage requirements; for example, development along Asti Road requires a minimum 20‑ft front setback with City‑approved landscaping; check the specific plan or PD language that controls that corridor (§ 18.08.040) .

If I remove a protected tree without a permit, what are the consequences?

The tree preservation chapter authorizes penalties and replacement valuations for removed or damaged protected trees. Penalties may include payment equal to the tree’s replacement value or other mitigation as calculated per the code and industry appraisal guides (§ 18.17.150) .

Does design review look at my landscape plan?

Yes — landscape and screening are part of design review for projects subject to design review. The design review chapter explicitly includes landscape, site improvements, and preservation of natural features as elements of review (§ 18.03.150) .

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