Colma — Landscaping and Screening

Overview

In Colma, landscaping and screening standards live inside the Colma Zoning Code (Chapter 5.03) and are tailored by base district and overlays. The Town emphasizes landscaped street setbacks, screening of parking and utilities, and context-sensitive planting—especially within the Mission/El Camino corridor subject to the Design Review Combining Zone. Several districts also call out water-efficient landscapes and habitat-sensitive practices.

In the commercial corridors, street-facing setback areas may contain only hardscape and landscaping—and in key frontages must be planted to screen parking and utilities from public view (§ 5.03.133(7); § 5.03.172(7)–(8), (11)).

How Colma’s code handles landscaping and screening

• Street setback landscaping:
  • The C – Commercial district limits street setback areas to paved parking/walks/driveways, lawns, and landscaping; the City Council may require portions be planted (§ 5.03.133(7)).
  • The E – Executive, Administrative district requires a landscaped frontage along El Camino Real that screens parking from passersby; parking must be behind buildings or well screened by landscaping (§ 5.03.172(7)–(8)).
• Utilities and equipment:
  • New development must underground and screen utilities; transformers should be sited away from public streets and screened with landscaping “to the extent feasible” (§ 5.03.133(9); § 5.03.172(11); § 5.03.187(k); § 5.03.152(c)(2)(iv)).
• Design Review overlay:
  • Within the DR – Design Review Combining Zone, all site and landscape plans are reviewed; in the DR(S) area, Spanish/Mediterranean-inspired planting, streetscape, and small site structures are required (§ 5.03.152(b), (c)(2); § 5.03.153(ii)–(iii)).
• Water-efficient and habitat-aware design:
  • Multiple districts require review of landscapes for compliance with the Town’s water-efficient landscape provisions and call for green infrastructure/stormwater measures and nesting bird protections (§ 5.03.133(14)–(20); § 5.03.172(16), (22); § 5.03.187(p), (v); § 5.03.092(l)–(r); § 5.03.152(c)(2)(x)–(xiii)).

For project context, see the Town’s pages on zoning, land use, development standards, design review, overlay districts, and parking.

District-by-District Standards and Guidance

DR — Design Review Combining Zone (§ 5.03.152; § 5.03.153)

• Purpose/where it applies:
  • An overlay “in addition to” base zones; it covers the Mission/El Camino corridor: from Mission Rd/El Camino Real (south) to F St/El Camino Real (north), Junipero Serra Blvd (west) to Town limits (east), plus all properties fronting Mission Rd (§ 5.03.152(a)). It applies to all site, landscape, and building plans in this area, with limited historic/context exceptions (§ 5.03.152(b)).
• Typical scope:
  • Any new construction or façade/site alteration triggers landscape plan review; in subareas marked “(S),” designs must reflect a Spanish/Mediterranean idiom (§ 5.03.152(b), (c)).
• Key landscape/screening standards:
  • Conceal utility vaults, backflow devices, trash areas; underground/screen utilities and place transformers away from streets; screen with landscaping where feasible (§ 5.03.152(c)(2)(i), (iv)).
  • Formal, balanced planting using landscape entries, tree-lined walks/drives, and boundary tree rows; accent with drought-tolerant/California native species and palms/flowers (§ 5.03.152(c)(2)(ii); § 5.03.153(ii)).
  • Integrate arbors, trellises, fountains, benches, curbs, light standards, sculpture, enhanced paving, garden walls, wood/iron fences and gates, pots/urns—consistent with the theme (§ 5.03.152(c)(2)(iii); § 5.03.153(iii)).
  • Tents (temporary structures) cannot be placed on approved landscaping and are limited in number/size; see § 5.03.153(3)(i) for siting limitations related to landscape areas.
  • Landscape review also considers water efficiency and biological protections, including nesting bird surveys when vegetation removal may affect habitat (§ 5.03.152(c)(2)(x)–(xiii)).
• Notes:
  • Design plans must be approved before permits; see the DR procedure (§ 5.03.153(d)). For resources on review process and potential historic exceptions, also see design review and historic preservation.

C — Commercial Zone (§ 5.03.133)

• Purpose/uses:
  • Serves commercial establishments and light industrial uses (§ 5.03.133(b)).
• Where it applies:
  • All lots zoned C – Commercial under the Town’s base zoning map; see zoning.
• Key dimensional touchpoints for landscaping context:
  • Minimum street setback is 5 ft; side and rear yards are 5 ft each (§ 5.03.133(b)(2)).
• Landscape/screening standards:
  • Within the required street setback, only paved parking spaces, paved walks, paved driveways, lawns, and landscaping are allowed (§ 5.03.133(7)).
  • The City Council may require that some or all of this setback be maintained as lawns/landscaping (§ 5.03.133(7)).
  • Non-building areas not in lawn/landscape must be treated to be dust-free (§ 5.03.133(7)).
  • Underground and screen utilities; site transformers away from public streets and screen with landscaping to the extent feasible (§ 5.03.133(9)).
  • Landscapes are reviewed for water-efficient compliance (§ 5.03.133(20)), and green infrastructure/stormwater best practices are encouraged/required where applicable (§ 5.03.133(14)–(15)).
• Practical tip:
  • Treat the first 5 ft along the street as a landscape/hardscape frontage; if parking occupies it, expect a condition to convert to landscape area for visual screening (§ 5.03.133(7)).

E — Executive, Administrative Zone (§ 5.03.172)

• Purpose/uses:
  • An executive/administrative district that accommodates retail, offices, restaurants and similar uses (uses implied by parking categories) (§ 5.03.172(4)(i)–(iii)).
• Where it applies:
  • Lots zoned E – Executive, Administrative per the zoning map; see land use.
• Key dimensional touchpoints for landscaping context:
  • Front yard setback is 5 ft minimum, but any frontage on El Camino Real must be 30 ft (§ 5.03.172(2)).
• Landscape/screening standards:
  • Within the El Camino Real setback, only paved walks/driveways, lawns and landscaping are permitted; the landscaping must be consistent with surroundings and must screen parking from passersby (§ 5.03.172(7)).
  • Parking must be located behind buildings or be well screened by landscaping (§ 5.03.172(8)).
  • Roll-up doors and loading areas may not face public roads, reinforcing the code’s street-facing screening intent (§ 5.03.172(9)).
  • Underground and screen utilities; locate transformers away from the street and screen with landscaping where feasible (§ 5.03.172(11)).
  • Landscapes must comply with water-efficient requirements and support green infrastructure/stormwater goals where they apply (§ 5.03.172(16), (22)).
• Practical tip:
  • Treat El Camino Real frontages as a landscaped “green edge” at least 30 ft deep that visually hides parking and service elements from the corridor (§ 5.03.172(2), (7)–(8)).

PD — Planned Development Zone (§ 5.03.187)

• Purpose/uses:
  • Custom, Council-approved development districts governed by a Detailed Development Plan tied to a Use Permit (§ 5.03.187).
• Where it applies:
  • Sites rezoned to PD – Planned Development; standards are plan-specific. See overlay districts.
• Landscape/screening standards:
  • Each PD’s plan must establish the maximum height of fences and walls, among other standards (§ 5.03.187(f)).
  • Utilities must be undergrounded/screened; locate transformers away from public streets and screen with landscaping to the extent feasible (§ 5.03.187(k)).
  • Landscapes are reviewed for water-efficient compliance; green infrastructure and on-site stormwater detention may be required based on project scale (§ 5.03.187(p), (q), (v)).
• Practical tip:
  • PDs often internalize screening via tailored wall/fence heights and landscape buffers—check the adopted Detailed Development Plan for the binding numbers (§ 5.03.187(f)).

R — Residential Zones (reference provisions in § 5.03.082; § 5.03.092)

• Purpose/uses:
  • Residential districts under Chapter 5.03; see development standards.
• Landscape/screening standards found in source materials:
  • The code emphasizes green infrastructure, on-site stormwater detention for large projects (over 0.5 acres), habitat protection, and nesting bird surveys where vegetation removal could affect habitat (§ 5.03.082(n)–(r); § 5.03.092(l)–(r)).
• Not found in source materials:
  • District-specific residential landscape minimums, tree counts, or fence/wall height limits outside PD plans.

Key landscape and screening rules at a glance

Practical design guidance

• Along El Camino Real, plan a deep, high-amenity frontage. Use layered planting (trees + shrubs) to fully screen at-grade parking; reserve breaks for pedestrian walkways and driveways (§ 5.03.172(7)–(8)).
• In the DR(S) area, think “formal and Mediterranean”: tree-lined spines, boundary rows, palms/flower accents, and integrated walls/trellises and seating to tie architecture and landscape together (§ 5.03.152(c)(2)(ii)–(iii); § 5.03.153(ii)–(iii)).
• Place transformers in interior/service courts, not at corners—then wrap them with shrubs and low walls per the visibility standard (§ 5.03.133(9); § 5.03.172(11); § 5.03.187(k)).
• Before removing trees or dense vegetation near creeks/ponds, budget time for nesting bird surveys during February 1–August 31 and any required habitat checks (§ 5.03.092(n)–(p); § 5.03.152(c)(2)(xi)).

If compliance creates hardship, consult variances and exceptions early.

Checklist

• Confirm your parcel’s base district and if it lies in the DR overlay along Mission/El Camino; if yes, plan for design review of the landscape plan (§ 5.03.152(b); § 5.03.153(d)).
• For E parcels on El Camino Real, provide a 30 ft landscaped setback that screens parking; locate parking behind buildings or screen it thoroughly (§ 5.03.172(2), (7)–(8)).
• For C parcels, confine street setbacks to permissible hardscape/landscape; expect possible conditions to convert portions to landscaping (§ 5.03.133(7)).
• Underground on-site utilities; place transformers away from the street and screen them with planting/walls as feasible (all listed zones) (§ 5.03.133(9); § 5.03.172(11); § 5.03.187(k); § 5.03.152(c)(2)(iv)).
• If in DR(S), incorporate formal tree alignments, themed small structures, and drought-tolerant/native palettes (§ 5.03.152(c)(2)(ii)–(iii); § 5.03.153(ii)–(iii)).
• Keep any temporary tents off approved landscape areas; site only on paving and maintain clear aisles/lanes (§ 5.03.153(3)(i)).
• Document compliance with water-efficient landscape requirements (as applicable) (§ 5.03.133(20); § 5.03.172(22); § 5.03.187(v)).
• Incorporate green infrastructure and, if the project is >0.5 acres, on-site detention to manage stormwater runoff (§ 5.03.133(14)–(15); § 5.03.172(16), (17); § 5.03.187(p), (q); § 5.03.092(l)–(m)).
• If near sensitive habitats or removing vegetation during nesting season, secure required biological surveys and avoidance measures (§ 5.03.092(n)–(p); § 5.03.152(c)(2)(xi)).

Risks & Ambiguities

Information Gaps

• Residential district landscape area minimums, tree counts, or front-yard planting specifics: Not found in source materials.
• Detailed DR(S) plant lists or numeric buffer widths beyond general “formal” guidance: Not found in source materials.
• Complete Commercial Center landscaping standards beyond the truncated “Landscap…” line: Not found in source materials.
• Town-specific Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance thresholds and calculation methods: Not found in source materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain-English Summary

Colma expects tidy, planted street edges and hidden service elements. On El Camino Real, the first 30 ft in the E district must be a landscaped frontage that screens parking. In the C district, street setbacks can only contain paving and landscaping, and the Town can require that area to be planted. Across commercial, executive, PD, and DR areas, utilities must be undergrounded and screened—especially transformers—and landscapes are checked for water efficiency and habitat protections.

Source References

• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.152 — DR – Design Review Combining Zone Design Standards and Procedures (applicability; DR(S) site/landscape design; undergrounding/screening utilities; formal planting; habitat/water-efficient provisions).
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.153 — Additional DR(S) landscape elements; temporary tents siting and landscape protection; design review procedure.
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.133 — C – Commercial Zone Development Standards (street setback landscaping controls; undergrounding/screening utilities; green infrastructure; water-efficient landscape review).
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.172 — E – Executive, Administrative Zone Development Standards (El Camino Real landscaped frontage; parking screening/placement; roll-up door orientation; undergrounding/screening utilities; water-efficient landscape review).
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.187 — PD – Planned Development Design Standards (plan-specific fence/wall heights; undergrounding/screening utilities; water-efficient landscape review; green infrastructure).
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.092 — General/Residential references to green infrastructure, stormwater detention, habitat protection, nesting bird surveys, and water-efficient landscape review.
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.082 — Residential section references to green infrastructure/stormwater and related environmental standards.

Source passages

• Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.03.152) Medium relevance show source text
• Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.03.172) Medium relevance show source text
• Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.03.187) Medium relevance show source text
• Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.03.133) Medium relevance show source text
• Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.03.153) Medium relevance show source text
• Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.03.092) Medium relevance show source text
• Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.03.082) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.152 — DR – Design Review Combining Zone Design Standards and Procedures (applicability; DR(S) site/landscape design; undergrounding/screening utilities; formal planting; habitat/water-efficient provisions). (§ 5.03.152)
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.153 — Additional DR(S) landscape elements; temporary tents siting and landscape protection; design review procedure. (§ 5.03.153)
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.133 — C – Commercial Zone Development Standards (street setback landscaping controls; undergrounding/screening utilities; green infrastructure; water-efficient landscape review). (§ 5.03.133)
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.172 — E – Executive, Administrative Zone Development Standards (El Camino Real landscaped frontage; parking screening/placement; roll-up door orientation; undergrounding/screening utilities; water-efficient landscape review). (§ 5.03.172)
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.187 — PD – Planned Development Design Standards (plan-specific fence/wall heights; undergrounding/screening utilities; water-efficient landscape review; green infrastructure). (§ 5.03.187)
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.092 — General/Residential references to green infrastructure, stormwater detention, habitat protection, nesting bird surveys, and water-efficient landscape review. (§ 5.03.092)
• Colma Zoning Code § 5.03.082 — Residential section references to green infrastructure/stormwater and related environmental standards. (§ 5.03.082)

• Official Colma code library