Local zoning · Compton

Compton — Landscaping and Screening

Q: Do I need an automatic irrigation system for required landscaping?

Yes — automatic irrigation is required for all required landscaped areas (including parkways). The system must include backflow prevention and anti‑siphon valves, and pop‑up heads should be used near curbs or sidewalks. See § 30-43.5 .

Q: Are there rules for parkway trees and spacing on Compton streets?

Yes — parkway spacing is specified in Table 30‑43.A and § 30-43.3(e) : commercial parkways generally require one 36‑inch box tree per 25 lineal feet , while residential and manufacturing parkways require one per 50 lineal feet . Verify species and placement with Public Works and the ARB.

Q: What fences are allowed between commercial and residential zones?

Fences separating a commercial or manufacturing zone from a residential zone must be solid wood or masonry and at least 6 ft high . Residential front yards are limited to 5 ft high fences; residential rear and side yards may be up to 8 ft . See § 30-44.2(c)(1)(f) and § 30-44.3 .

Q: Do Compton rules require replacement when trees are removed?

Yes — existing mature trees should be preserved , and when more than five trees are removed within 24 months a permit and replacement plan approved by the ARB is required. See § 30-43.7 .

Landscaping and Screening under the Compton 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 Compton's zoning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (including fences, walls, trees and buffers) and how those rules vary by district. The analysis is drawn directly from the Compton Zoning/Planning ordinance: primarily § 30-43 (Landscaping), § 30-44 (Fencing), the Design Review rules in § 30-45, and special screening rules for communication facilities in § 30-46, all cited below. For project-level rules you will also need the district-specific property-development standards (yards, setbacks, etc.). See the local Compton Zoning overview for maps and base-zone labels.

Notes: when this page mentions site features you may also need to coordinate with parking rules, the City's development standards and any design review or overlay districts that apply. If the work touches accessory units consult the ADU rules at ADUs. Structural screening or fire-hardening requirements are enforced via the state California Building Standards Code (Title 24) where those regulations apply.

Citywide rules (what always matters)

Required landscaping program: generally, landscaping must be provided for "all residential, commercial, industrial and institutional sites" and must be installed, irrigated and maintained; plant lists are controlled by the Architectural Review Board (ARB). A landscaping plan must be submitted and ARB-approved for new projects and additions >20%. See § 30-43.1–30-43.3.
Minimum area and setbacks (summary): residential projects must fully landscape front and street-side yards; commercial and institutional sites <2 acres: minimum 5%–10% of lot landscaped; industrial: minimum 5% and a 5‑ft landscaped setback for solid walls abutting streets. See § 30-43.3 and Table 30‑43.A.
Trees and parkways: one tree per 50 linear feet of street frontage (residential/manufacturing parkways) and one tree per 25 linear feet in commercial parkways; the code also requires one tree per 10,000 sq.ft. of parcel area in some places. See § 30-43.3(e) and Table 30‑43.A.
Irrigation: automatic irrigation is required for all required landscaped areas; controllers, backflow prevention and vandal-protected enclosures are required; overspray/runoff is prohibited. See § 30-43.5.
Maintenance & inspections: landscaping must be healthy and maintained before occupancy; owners retain maintenance responsibility; the City may assume maintenance and bill the owner if necessary. See § 30-43.2(d).
Design review: exterior landscaping and screening (including parking-lot landscaping, fences, trash enclosures and similar yard improvements) are subject to design review; the ARB may allow limited modifications. See § 30-45.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the primary zoning districts in the Code that affect how landscaping and screening rules are applied. Each entry lists the district name used in the Compton ordinance (bolded), the district purpose/typical uses (short), then the key dimensional standards that affect landscaping/screening and where the landscaping/fence rules apply.

R-L (Low-Density Residential)

Purpose / Typical uses: single-family dwellings and low-density residential development; intended to preserve yard space. See § 30-8.
Key standards affecting landscaping/screening: front yard 20 ft, side yards 3–5 ft depending on orientation, rear yard 20 ft; fences are governed by § 30-44 (residential front‑yard fence heights limited to 5 ft, rear/side 8 ft max) and landscaping must fully cover front & street-side setbacks. See § 30-8 (yards) and § 30-43.3(a) and § 30-44.2(c)(1)(d).

R-M (Medium-Density Residential) and R-H (High-Density Residential)

Purpose / Typical uses: multi-family housing and apartment development. See § 30-9 / § 30-? (R‑M / R‑H).
Key standards: front yards, side yards and rear yards are reduced relative to R‑L (e.g., R‑H front yard 15 ft). Landscaping requirements still require front/street‑side planting; multiple-family and multi-unit developments are subject to ARB review of landscaping plans. Fences that separate multi-family from single-family areas must be masonry or solid per § 30-44.4(c).

R-A (Residential Agriculture)

Purpose / Typical uses: larger‑lot residential and limited agricultural uses. See § 30-7.4.
Key standards: larger front/side/rear yard minimums (front 20 ft, other yards larger) and the fencing rules of § 30-44 apply; ARB/permits required where more than five trees are removed. Landscaping must comply with general rules (automatic irrigation, approved plant list).

Commercial zones — C-L / C-M / other commercial

Purpose / Typical uses: retail, services, limited manufacturing depending on the subzone. See the C‑zone entries in the Code.
Key standards that affect landscaping/screening: minimum 10‑ft landscaped setback from public rights-of-way (unless deed restrictions say otherwise); commercial parkways require one 36‑inch box tree per 25 ft frontage; for lots under 2 acres the minimum landscaped percentage is 5%–10% (see Table 30‑43.A). Where commercial abuts residential or when outside storage is present the Code requires solid masonry or wood fences at least 6 ft high. See § 30-43.3(b), Table 30‑43.A and § 30-44.2(c)(1)(f).

Manufacturing / Industrial — M-L (Limited Manufacturing) and M-H

Purpose / Typical uses: light and heavier industrial uses; outdoor storage may be permitted under conditions. See § 30-14 / § 30-16.
Key standards: minimum 5% site landscaping, 10‑ft landscaped setback from public rights-of-way, and 5‑ft landscaped setback between solid walls/fences and the street when walls are used; barbed wire is allowed only in M‑L/M‑H zones away from residential edges with restrictions. See § 30-43.3(c) and § 30-44.4(g).

Planned/Specific Development areas (e.g., SD, Planned Development)

Purpose / Typical uses: project-specific standards; ARB and Commission approval often required. See § 30-19 / § 30-19.5 (SD).
Key standards: setbacks, landscape easements and fence/hedge heights are frequently established as conditions of approval; in several SD contexts the Code explicitly requires that except for landscaping and vehicle ingress/egress, no improvement is allowed within 10 ft of a front or street-side lot line unless a 6‑ft solid wall is substituted and dedicated as a perpetual landscaping easement. See § 30-19.5.

Special case — Wireless facilities (PWSF)

PWSF (cell/wireless) installations have their own screening/landscaping rules requiring, e.g., evergreen shrub hedge rows and interior rows of trees or shrubs to create a continuous visual buffer; existing vegetation may substitute when equivalent screening is achieved. See § 30-46.20. PWSF siting also asks that ground‑mounts be surrounded by dense tree growth where there are no nearby buildings. See § 30-46.7 and § 30-46.20.

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant standards

Topic	Requirement (short)	Code reference
Minimum landscaped % (commercial <2 acres)	5%–10% depending on lot size	§ 30-43.3(b)
Minimum landscaped % (industrial)	5%	§ 30-43.3(c)(1)
Front/street-side landscaped setback (nonresidential)	10 ft typical	§ 30-43.3(b)(3) and Table 30‑43.A
Parkway tree spacing (commercial)	1 tree / 25 ft frontage	§ 30-43.3(e) and Table 30‑43.A
Parkway tree spacing (residential/industrial)	1 tree / 50 ft frontage	§ 30-43.3(e)
Trees planted by frontage / area	1 tree / 50 ft street frontage and 1 tree / 10,000 sq.ft. parcel	§ 30‑19.5 / site-specific landscaping & § 30-43.3
Irrigation	Automatic irrigation required for required landscaped areas	§ 30-43.5
Required fencing between commercial/manufacturing and residential	Solid wood or masonry, at least 6 ft high	§ 30-44.2(c)(1)(f)
Residential front yard fence height	Max 5 ft in front yard	§ 30-44.2(c)(1)(d)
Removal of >5 trees	ARB permit + replacement plan required	§ 30-43.7
Design review / ARB	Landscaping plans for new projects & >20% additions require ARB approval	§ 30-43.2(c) and § 30-45

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain-English)

Always start with a landscaping plan. If your project is new construction or increases floor area by more than 20%, you must submit and get the landscape plan approved by the Architectural Review Board before a building permit is issued; the ARB enforces materials, maturity/size and irrigation standards. See § 30-43.2(c).
Size the planting and irrigation to meet the numeric targets in Table 30‑43.A (minimum percentages, tree counts and parkway spacing) and to keep at least 50% of nonresidential setbacks visibly planted. See § 30-43.3(d–e) and Table 30‑43.A.
Use landscaping in lieu of fences where the code encourages berms and vegetation for vertical articulation, except where solid screening is required for security or to buffer incompatible uses. See § 30-43.3(a)(f).
Fences that separate commercial/manufacturing from residential must be masonry or solid wood and ≥6 ft high; residential front-yard fences are capped at 5 ft. The ARB can approve alternatives or limited height adjustments as a minor modification. See § 30-44.2 and § 30-44.4.

Checklist

Prepare a site plan showing existing and proposed landscape areas, tree species and sizes, irrigation layouts and parkway trees (per § 30-43.3).
Confirm required minimum landscaping percentage by use (Table 30‑43.A) and measure required setbacks (§ 30-43.3 / Table 30‑43.A).
If new project or >20% addition, submit landscaping plan to the ARB and obtain approval before building permit issuance (§ 30-43.2(c)).
Specify an automatic irrigation system (controllers, backflow prevention, pop-up heads) in conformance with § 30-43.5.
For fences/walls, choose permitted materials by use and location (masonry for commercial/residential separations; front yard limits in residential zones) and indicate height on plans (§ 30-44).
If proposing to remove more than five trees in 24 months, include a tree removal permit and replacement plan for ARB review (§ 30-43.7).
Verify whether your site is in an overlay or corridor plan that imposes additional landscaping or anti-graffiti treatments (see Overlay Districts and ARB conditions).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Tree removal threshold	Removal of more than five trees in 24 months triggers a mandatory ARB permit and replacement plan — failure to permit can delay approvals.	Verify tree counts on the parcel and include tree protection/removal permit if >5 trees are proposed for removal (§ 30-43.7)
Conflicting setback easements in SD plans	Some Specific/Planned Development conditions require 10 ft landscaping easements or allow a 6‑ft solid wall in lieu; this can change frontage design and dedication obligations.	Check SD/PD conditions or covenant language on the parcel; confirm whether a landscaping easement must be dedicated to the City and the ARB conditions (§ 30-19.5)
Fence material vs. adjacent zoning	Fence permitted materials depend on abutting zone (e.g., masonry required where commercial abuts residential). Installing the wrong material triggers violations and rework.	Confirm the two sides of the property line (zoning map) and follow § 30-44.4(c) and exceptions for preexisting fencing.
Parkway tree spacing and public-works standards	The Code gives tree spacing (25 ft commercial / 50 ft residential) but Public Works or Corridor Improvement Plans may impose different species, sizes or placement.	Coordinate with Public Works and ARB; confirm parkway responsibility and approved species lists (§ 30-43.3(e)).
Irrigation runoff / water waste	Inefficient irrigation that causes runoff is expressly prohibited and can stop C.O. issuance.	Provide design details for backflow, anti-siphon valves and head protection per § 30-43.5 and test the system before final inspection.
Minor modifications vs. variance	ARB can approve minor modifications (up to 10% reduction) but major deviations require a variance. Mis-classifying a change can cause re-submittal.	If you need larger relaxations, prepare a variance per § 30-27 or a full ARB justification per § 30-45.5(a). Verify with Planning staff.

Plain-English Summary

Compton's zoning code requires that almost all new developments and many remodels have a submitted, ARB‑approved landscaping plan, automatic irrigation, a minimum amount of planted area (varies by use), and fences/walls built of materials appropriate to the use and abutting zones; specific tree counts, parkway spacing and fence heights are set out in § 30-43 and § 30-44 and must be coordinated with ARB review.

Source References

Compton Zoning — § 30-43. LANDSCAPING (purpose, standards, Table 30‑43.A, irrigation, removal): § 30-43.1–30-43.7.
Compton Zoning — § 30-44. FENCING (materials, heights, required solid fences and exceptions): § 30-44.1–30-44.5.
Compton Zoning — § 30-45. DESIGN REVIEW (ARB procedures; landscaping & fences as reviewable items): § 30-45.1–30-45.6.
Compton Zoning — § 30-46 (PWSF) (screening / hedges for wireless facilities; siting & landscaping specifics): § 30-46.20 and related sections.
District development standards cited: R-L (Low‑Density) — § 30-8; R‑H — § 30-9 / R‑M; M‑L (Limited Manufacturing) — § 30-14; SD (Specific Development) — § 30-19.5.
Relevant tables and numeric standards: Table 30‑43.A (Minimum Landscaping Requirements) and Table 30‑44.A (Fencing Standards).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Compton Zoning Code High relevance
Compton Zoning Code High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-46.19.) High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-46.18.) High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-43.) High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (section for) High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (section 11362.1) High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-45.) High relevance
Compton Zoning Code High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-44.) High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-43.4.) High relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-43.4.) Medium relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-46.11.) Medium relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-44.4.) Medium relevance
CBC § 300 Medium relevance
Compton Zoning Code (§ 30-46.11.) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Compton code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping percentage is required on a commercial lot in Compton?

Commercial lots are governed by Table 30‑43.A: generally a minimum landscaped percentage of 5% for lots ≤2 acres and 10% for lots >2 acres, plus a 10‑ft landscaped setback from public rights-of-way unless deed restrictions say otherwise. See § 30-43.3(b) and Table 30‑43.A.

Do I need an automatic irrigation system for required landscaping?

Yes — automatic irrigation is required for all required landscaped areas (including parkways). The system must include backflow prevention and anti‑siphon valves, and pop‑up heads should be used near curbs or sidewalks. See § 30-43.5.

Are there rules for parkway trees and spacing on Compton streets?

Yes — parkway spacing is specified in Table 30‑43.A and § 30-43.3(e): commercial parkways generally require one 36‑inch box tree per 25 lineal feet, while residential and manufacturing parkways require one per 50 lineal feet. Verify species and placement with Public Works and the ARB.

What fences are allowed between commercial and residential zones?

Fences separating a commercial or manufacturing zone from a residential zone must be solid wood or masonry and at least 6 ft high. Residential front yards are limited to 5 ft high fences; residential rear and side yards may be up to 8 ft. See § 30-44.2(c)(1)(f) and § 30-44.3.

When is an ARB landscaping plan required?

A landscaping plan must be submitted to and approved by the Architectural Review Board for new projects and for project additions that increase floor area by more than 20% before issuance of a building permit; the ARB can modify requirements where full compliance cannot reasonably be provided. See § 30-43.2(c).

Do Compton rules require replacement when trees are removed?

Yes — existing mature trees should be preserved, and when more than five trees are removed within 24 months a permit and replacement plan approved by the ARB is required. See § 30-43.7.

Are parking-lot landscaping rules separate from general landscaping?

Parking lots must be landscaped under the same Chapter and must also follow parking-lot design provisions in the off-street parking chapter; parking-lot landscape design must comply with § 30-21.6 and the landscaping chapter § 30-43. See § 30-43.3(g) and § 30-21.6.

Can I use hedges instead of fences for screening?

The Code encourages berms and hedges in lieu of fences for vertical articulation where security or visual screening does not require a solid fence, but certain situations (e.g., commercial/manufacturing abutting residential or outside storage) require solid fences or masonry. The ARB may approve hedges and alternate materials; see § 30-43.3(f) and § 30-44.4(f).

What special landscaping is required for wireless (PWSF) facilities?

Tier Two and Tier Three PWSFs require perimeter landscaping such as a row of evergreen shrubs forming a 5‑ft high hedge within two years plus an interior row of trees/shrubs; existing vegetation can substitute if it provides equivalent screening. See § 30-46.20. ---

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