Local zoning · Colusa

Colusa — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Colusa's Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) actually says about landscaping and screening — fences, walls, planting buffers, parking screening and industrial enclosure requirements — and where those rules live in the code. Many district articles rely on a set of general rules in Article 32 for site-level requirements (see § 5.01 and parallel district sections) but the full text of Article 32 was not included in the retrieved materials; where Article 32 is referenced I note that the detailed language is Not found in retrieved materials and must be verified with the city. For related tasks you will often need a site plan that shows parking, setbacks / development standards, and, when applicable, design review or overlay compliance; see the City menu pages for guidance on parking, zoning and design review.

(Links: the first natural mention of related topics below points to the local menu pages — parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the state building code.)

What the Colusa ordinance says (topic-by-topic, district-grounded)

Key extracted, operative rules and where they appear in the ordinance are summarized below. Every requirement below is tied to the code excerpt retrieved from the City's Title 17 files.

  • Screening of commercial open land along highway frontage: The F (Special Highway Frontage Combining) district requires that screen planting or fencing of permitted commercial uses of open land shall be required as a condition to the granting of a use permit (see § 22.02(b)) .
  • Screening of parking that abuts residential zones: Off‑street parking that abuts property zoned for R uses must be separated by a solid masonry wall or wooden fence not less than four feet nor more than six feet high; walls within sixteen feet of a street have lower height limits (see § 29.04(4)) .
  • Screening of parking/garages in multifamily districts: In the R-4 district (General Apartment) private garages, or parking lots uncovered and screened by suitable walls or planting, are listed as permitted accessory features (see § 8.02(d)) .
  • Industrial enclosures: Several industrial/light-manufacturing uses are permitted only when conducted within a building or enclosed within a solid wall or fence not less than six feet in height, of a type approved by the planning commission (see § 12.02(b)(5) and § 13.02(b)(5)) — this applies to uses such as truck terminals, lumber yards, certain storage yards and similar operations (see § 12.02(b)(5) and § 13.02(b)(5)) .
  • Multiple district articles point to "the general rules set forth in Article 32" for specific site and open‑area requirements (for example § 5.01 for R‑1, § 8.01 for R‑4, § 10.01 for C‑G). The text of Article 32 itself was not present in the retrieved materials; the code repeatedly defers to Article 32 for "general rules" including (presumably) landscaping and open area rules — verify Article 32 with the planning department (see § 5.01; § 8.01; § 10.01).

Below is a district-by-district breakdown focused on landscaping/screening (purpose, common uses, key dimensional standards that affect screening, and the landscaping/screening language that appears in the ordinance).

R‑1 (Single‑Family Residence) — § 5.01–5.05

  • Purpose / typical uses: Intended for single‑family residential development; permitted uses include one-family dwellings, accessory buildings and public parks (see § 5.02).
  • Key dimensional standards that affect landscaping/screening: front yard setback 20 ft; side yard setbacks 5 ft / percentage rules; rear yard 15–30 ft (see § 5.05(d–f)).
  • Landscaping/screening rules: The R‑1 article says the district is subject to the general rules in Article 32 (which likely contains the detailed landscaping/open area rules) — text of Article 32 was Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction and planning staff before assuming specifics (see § 5.01).

R‑4 (General Apartment) — § 8.01–8.05

  • Purpose / typical uses: Multifamily dwellings, accessory buildings, private garages, parking lots.
  • Key dimensional standards: Lot area and coverage rules and front yard/setback rules in § 8.05; off‑street parking is governed by Article 29 which includes screening/landscape rules for parking lots.
  • Landscaping/screening rules: Private garages or parking lots may be uncovered and screened by suitable walls or planting as part of permitted accessory uses (see § 8.02(d)) — the code does not list the plant species or planting sizes here; the detailed planting standards were expected in Article 32 (Not found in retrieved materials).

C‑N / C‑G (Neighborhood / General Commercial) — § 9.01 / § 10.01

  • Purpose / typical uses: Convenience shopping and general commercial uses that serve neighborhoods and the city.
  • Key dimensional items: Front/setback and rear yard rules vary (see § 9.03, § 10.03) and parking is governed by Article 29.
  • Landscaping/screening rules: Several commercial district articles reference Article 32 for general rules; the F combining district (when applied) adds explicit screening requirements for open commercial land (see § 22.02(b)) — in short, where commercial parking or open storage abuts residential zones the code requires screening per Article 29 and/or the F‑district rule.

M‑1 / M‑2 / M‑L (Industrial / Manufacturing) — § 12.01–12.03; § 13.01–13.04; § 14.01–14.04

  • Purpose / typical uses: Light and general industrial uses — storage yards, repair, fabrication, lumberyards, etc.
  • Key dimensional standards: Variable lot and yard requirements; parking per Article 29.
  • Landscaping/screening rules: Specific industrial uses that are potentially offensive (e.g., lumberyards, truck terminals, auto wrecking) are allowed only when enclosed within a solid wall or fence not less than six feet in height, and of a type approved by the planning commission (see § 12.02(b)(5) and § 13.02(b)(5)) — this is a hard code requirement for those uses, not merely a guideline.

F — Special Highway Frontage Combining District — § 22.01–22.02

  • Purpose / applicability: Applies where special highway frontage rules are combined with a base district.
  • Landscaping/screening requirement: Screen planting or fencing of permitted commercial uses of open land shall be required as a condition to the granting of a use permit in each particular case (see § 22.02(b)). That screening is explicitly a use‑permit condition — the planning commission may set the exact screening method.

Article 29 (Off‑Street Parking) — § 29.04 (selected)

  • Applicability: All off‑street parking required by the code.
  • Screening & fence/wall details that directly affect landscaping/screening decisions: Where a parking area abuts property zoned for "R" uses it must be separated by a solid masonry wall or wooden fence not less than 4 ft nor more than 6 ft high; walls within 16 ft of a street have a 2.5–3 ft height limit; any wooden fence used in lieu of masonry must be opaque and posts must be properly treated/set (see § 29.04(4)). Also the code forbids walls/fences/shrubbery that interfere with visibility (see § 29.04(6)) .

P‑D, P‑F, M‑U (Planned Development / Public Facilities / Mixed Use)

  • Many of these district articles say "the general rules set forth in Article 32 shall apply" for site layout, open area, and landscaping; specific site plan approvals or use permits are required and will be conditioned for screening and plantings on a case‑by‑case basis (see § 15.01 (P‑D) and § 16.02 (P‑F) and mixed‑use articles). The details are in Article 32, which was not included in the retrieved excerpt — verify Article 32 for the exact plant/irrigation/maintenance standards.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards and cites

Topic / trigger Rule (plain English) Code Reference
Screening for commercial open land on highway frontages Screening (planting or fencing) required as condition of use permit in F district § 22.02(b)
Parking area next to residential property Parking lots that abut R zones must have solid masonry wall or wooden fence 4–6 ft high (street‑adjacent walls lower) § 29.04(4)
Screening for multifamily parking/garages Private garages or parking lots may be screened by suitable walls or planting in R‑4 § 8.02(d)
Industrial storage/yards (lumber, junkyards, truck terminals) Allowed only inside building or enclosed by solid wall/fence ≥ 6 ft, type approved by planning commission § 12.02(b)(5); § 13.02(b)(5)
General site/landscape rules Multiple districts defer to Article 32 for "general rules" on landscaping/open area — Article 32 text Not found in retrieved materials See § 5.01, § 8.01, § 10.01, etc.
Visibility/safety limit Walls, fences or shrubbery must not interfere with safe visibility (ingress/egress) § 29.04(6)
Transformer / utility screening (guidance doc included in files) Transformer screening ideas and minimum clearances (illustrative greenbook); these are guidance figures — check utility/fire clearance requirements Greenbook guidance (PGE Landscape Screen)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (pre‑submission and submittal)

  • Confirm the parcel's zoning and any combining overlays (e.g., F, FP, H, P) and read the district article for references to Article 32 — see § 5.01 and parallel district articles (Verify Article 32 text).
  • For any proposal with parking: prepare off‑street parking plan that shows walls/fences where parking abuts R zones 4–6 ft high and sightlines per § 29.04(4–6).
  • If your project is in the F combining district or proposes open commercial uses along highway frontage, include a screening plan (planting or fencing) as a condition of use permit — see § 22.02(b).
  • If your use is an industrial/storage use listed as conditional, show enclosure by a solid wall or fence ≥ 6 ft (type to be approved by planning commission) for the specific listed uses (see § 12.02(b)(5) / § 13.02(b)(5)).
  • Provide planting/specimen schedule and maintenance plan if required by Article 32 or by a use permit (Article 32 text not included in retrieved materials — verify).
  • Ensure landscaping does not block visibility at driveways or street corners (see § 29.04(6)).
  • If screening utility equipment (e.g., pad‑mounted transformer), provide clearance and plant choice consistent with utility guidance (PGE Greenbook) and show access clearances on plan; utilities have separate clearance needs beyond zoning.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Article 32 content missing Article 32 is referenced as the general landscaping/open‑area rule for many districts; specific planting, irrigation, species lists, and maintenance obligations are probably in Article 32 Article 32 text was Not found in retrieved materials — request Article 32 from planning staff / municipal code and cite the controlling § in your submittal (Verify with the jurisdiction).
"Suitable walls or planting" — imprecise term The phrase appears in district use lists (e.g., § 8.02(d)) but does not specify species, dimensions, or maintenance Confirm whether Article 32 or a landscape standard (not in retrieved docs) sets species, spacing, irrigation and maintenance covenants. If not, the planning commission will set conditions at use permit.
Fence vs masonry wall spec (parking next to R zones) Code gives 4–6 ft for masonry/wood parking separation and lowers heights near streets — noncompliance can trigger enforcement or require redesign Follow § 29.04(4–6) exactly; confirm whether a decorative masonry/planter detail can be substituted by permit.
Industrial enclosure type approval "Type approved by the planning commission" gives discretion — the commission may require masonry, screening planting, or both For § 12.02(b)(5) / § 13.02(b)(5) uses, request pre‑application meeting; get written guidance from planning on acceptable wall/fence types.
Conflict with other agency clearances (utilities / fire) Utility clearance (e.g., transformer access) and fire safety clearances may require different setbacks or noncombustible ground cover; those are not replaced by zoning screening For transformer/utility screening, use the Greenbook guidance and check with utility and fire (Greenbook guidance included in files). For fuel modification/tree rules, check state WUI and local fire standards.

Plain‑English summary

Colusa's zoning code says where screening is required in specific situations: fences/walls and planting are explicitly required or authorized for highway‑frontage commercial sites (the F overlay, § 22.02(b)), for parking abutting residential zones (solid wall/fence 4–6 ft, § 29.04(4)), for multifamily parking/garages (screen by wall or planting, § 8.02(d)), and for certain industrial/storage uses (must be inside buildings or enclosed by a solid wall/fence ≥ 6 ft, § 12.02(b)(5) and § 13.02(b)(5)). Many districts defer to Article 32 for the detailed landscape/planting rules; Article 32 text was not included in the materials I reviewed — verify Article 32 with the planning office before final design.

Source References

  • City of Colusa Zoning Code — Title 17, including district articles and use/parking rules: see multiple district sections and parking requirements in the retrieved code excerpts (examples: § 5.01 (R‑1 reference to Article 32) ; § 8.02(d) (R‑4 screening) ; § 12.02(b)(5) and § 13.02(b)(5) (6‑ft industrial enclosure requirement) ; § 22.02(b) (F combining district screening) ; § 29.04 (parking screening & wall heights) ).
  • PGE / utility landscape screening guidance (illustrative greenbook for pad‑mounted transformers) — included in user materials as guidance for screening utilities and clearances (Greenbook) .
  • Where the ordinance refers to Article 32 for “general rules” (multiple district sections such as § 5.01 for R‑1 and § 8.01 for R‑4) the actual Article 32 text was Not found in retrieved materials and must be obtained for full compliance verification.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Colusa Zoning Code (Article 23.) Medium relevance
  • CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance
  • CWUIC § 1.11 (Chapter 1) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (title shall) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Article 2.) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Article 32) Medium relevance
  • California Residential Code Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Section 65000) Medium relevance
  • CWUIC § 1276.01 (Chapter 5._) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Article No.) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (§ 31) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Section 32.01.) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • CWUIC § 602.3.1 (Section 602.3.1) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Article 29.) Medium relevance
  • CRC § R608.7.1.1 (Section R608.7.1.1.) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Article 30.) Medium relevance
  • California Building Code (Article 29.) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 1934 Medium relevance
  • CRC § R608.6.5 (Section R608.6.5) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (§ 23) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (§ 26) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (Article 29.) Medium relevance
  • Colusa Zoning Code (article shall) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 18950 (article IX) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Do parking lots next to houses require a fence in Colusa?

Yes. When an off‑street parking area abuts property zoned for "R" uses, the code requires separation by a solid masonry wall or wooden fence not less than four feet nor more than six feet high (with lower height limits for walls near streets) and the fence must be opaque if wooden; see § 29.04(4) for the specification and safety requirements in Article 29.

Does Colusa require planting (trees/shrubs) to screen commercial uses along Highway 20?

If a lot is in the F (Special Highway Frontage) combining district, screen planting or fencing of permitted commercial uses of open land shall be required as a condition to the granting of a use permit — the planning commission will set exact conditions under § 22.02(b). Confirm whether your parcel is in an F overlay on the zoning map.

Are there specific species or irrigation standards spelled out in the Colusa zoning code?

Many district sections point to the “general rules set forth in Article 32” for open area and landscaping standards; the detailed Article 32 language that would typically list planting/irrigation/maintenance standards was Not found in the retrieved materials. Verify Article 32 with the planning department — it is the controlling place for species/spacing/maintenance, if adopted.

Can industrial storage yards be screened with plants instead of a wall?

For certain industrial uses (e.g., truck terminals, lumber yards, junkyards) the ordinance requires they be within a building or enclosed within a solid wall or fence not less than six feet in height, of a type approved by the planning commission — that is § 12.02(b)(5) and § 13.02(b)(5). The planning commission’s approval could include combined wall + planting solutions, but do not assume planting alone satisfies the six‑foot solid enclosure requirement unless the commission agrees.

Where does the code say screening must not block visibility?

Article 29 requires that walls, fences or shrubbery not be placed or maintained so as to interfere with visibility and endanger safe ingress/egress — see § 29.04(6). Show sight triangles on your plans to demonstrate compliance.

Do I need a building permit for a masonry screen wall?

The zoning ordinance specifies screening heights and types for specific contexts (parking, industrial enclosure), but building permits and structural requirements are governed by the building code. For structural walls you will likely need permits under the California Building Standards Code. The zoning text requires the wall type/height; building permits and construction details must comply with Title 24 — check with building department and cite the code. (Zoning reference: see parking wall/fence height rules § 29.04(4).)

If my lot is in a combining district, do I follow the overlay or the base zone for landscaping?

You follow both: a combining district adds rules that apply in addition to the base zone. Where the combining district conflicts or is additive, its rules control per the combining district article; for example, the F combining district adds screening as a use‑permit condition on top of base district rules (see § 22.02 and the base district article that references Article 32). If conflict arises, check the combining district article text and get a staff interpretation.

Is there a separate city “landscape ordinance” or is it all Article 32?

The code repeatedly defers to Article 32 for "general rules" on yards/open area; however, the Article 32 text itself was Not found in the retrieved files you provided. So whether the city has an independent landscape ordinance or whether Article 32 contains the full landscaping standard must be verified by obtaining Article 32 from the city code. The district articles referencing Article 32 show the city intends to centralize those standards there.

Are there wildfire / fire‑smart planting requirements in the zoning code?

The Colusa zoning excerpts we retrieved do not contain a full set of WUI/“fire‑smart” planting rules. There are separate state WUI and local fire standards (and the Greenbook / state guidance is included in your materials). For parcel‑specific fuel modification, fire setbacks or species restrictions, check with the Fire Authority and the City; the zoning files make no explicit local planting bans beyond the general landscape and safety rules (verify with planning/fire). Not found in retrieved materials as local ordinance text. ---

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