Local zoning · Concord

Concord — Landscaping and Screening

Q: Do I always need a landscape plan for a single-family house in Concord?

Not always. New single-family dwellings or additions with less than 5,000 sq ft of landscape area are exempt from submitting full landscape and irrigation plans, but all required street-facing yards must still be landscaped and water-efficiency rules apply (§ 18.165.020(D); Chapter 18.170) .

Q: How much of my commercial site must be landscaped in Concord?

Most commercial districts identified in the CDC (for example CMX , NC , RC , WMX ) require 20% of the site to be landscaped; the Downtown Pedestrian (DP) district requires 10% , and DMX requires 20% (Table 18.165.050) — exceptions can be granted by the review authority for small parcels (§ 18.165.050) .

Q: What are Concord’s parking-lot landscaping and screening rules?

Surface parking must be screened from streets and adjacent properties; perimeter strips of at least 5 feet are required where parking adjoins property lines, interior landscaping must be at least 10% of the parking area , with one 24-inch box tree per five parking spaces , and car screening at the street should be roughly 30–36 inches tall (§ 18.165.060) .

Q: How high can I build a fence or wall on a residential lot?

Standard maximum fence/wall height on most residential properties is 6 feet . It may be increased to 7 feet if the top foot is lattice, to 8 feet via minor exception or when the fence sits outside the required setbacks — measurement is from the lowest natural grade to the top of the structure (§ 18.150.040) .

Q: Do I need a tree permit to remove a tree on my property?

If the tree is a protected tree (e.g., certain native oaks ≥ 12 in DBH, or other species ≥ 24 in DBH) and the removal/relocation is associated with a development activity that requires a planning permit, then yes: a tree permit and ISA arborist report are required (§ 18.310.020; § 18.310.030–040) .

Q: What protective measures are required during construction near a protected tree?

You must establish a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) , install temporary protective fencing (minimum 5-ft chain link at the TPZ edge), post on-site information (arborist report, tree permit, fencing plan), avoid trenching through TPZ except by approved methods, and submit certification letters from the arborist after regulated activities (§ 18.310.050–080) .

Q: Can landscaping be used to meet transitional buffering between nonresidential and residential uses?

Yes. Transitional requirements require setbacks, screening, and landscape buffers; parking areas adjacent to residential uses must provide at least a 5-foot landscape buffer and comply with transitional requirements in § 18.150.180 (§ 18.165.060.D.4; § 18.150.180) .

Q: When must landscaping be installed and certified?

Required landscaping and screening must be installed consistent with approved plans prior to occupancy or use of the site. A certificate of completion signed by the licensed landscape architect (and any other certifications required by Chapter 18.170) is required before occupancy (§ 18.165.030(E)) .

Q: Do visibility triangles or sight-line rules limit screening?

Yes — landscaping (and structures) within the visibility triangle at intersections and driveways generally may not exceed 30 inches in height, except trees maintained with a canopy 8 feet above grade are allowed; see § 18.150.170 and related landscaping standards (§ 18.150.170; CDC landscaping) .

Q: If my project is in the downtown district, can the 20% landscaping rule be reduced?

The code allows the review authority to grant exceptions where the minimum landscaping is not feasible (for very small parcels or parcels with no setback requirements). Downtown districts (DP/DMX) have lower or specific percentages (10% or 20%) in Table 18.165.050 , but exceptions can be processed (§ 18.165.050) . ---

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

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what Concord's Development Code (Title 18) requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences/walls, and tree protection for development projects. It focuses only on rules written in the Concord Development Code (CDC): where the code sets minimum landscaped area, parking-lot screening, visibility limits, submission/irrigation requirements, fence/wall height limits, and tree protection/TPZ rules. For related topics see the city's pages on Concord Zoning, Concord Development Standards, and Concord Parking. This page does not cover building-code (Title 24) requirements — see the California Building Standards Code.

Key City Chapters that control landscaping & screening

Chapter 18.165 (Landscaping) — plan submittal, minimum landscaping by use, parking-lot landscaping, plant sizes, irrigation, installation timing, maintenance (§ 18.165.010–§ 18.165.080) .
Chapter 18.150 (General development standards) — fences/walls, visibility triangles, transitional buffering (§ 18.150.040; § 18.150.170; § 18.150.180) .
Chapter 18.310 (Tree preservation and protection) — definitions of protected trees, tree permit, TPZ rules, arborist report, replacement ratios (§ 18.310.010–§ 18.310.080) .
Chapter 18.415 (Design and site review) — landscaping, walls/fences, and screening are explicit review topics; design review may require higher standards (§ 18.415.020–§ 18.415.110) .
Chapter 18.170 (Water efficient landscaping) — irrigation and water-efficiency requirements for landscape plans (referenced throughout Chapter 18.165) .

For projects that touch other topics you may also need to check Concord Design Review, Concord Overlay Districts, and Concord ADUs.

District-by-district landscaping & screening (what Title 18 actually prescribes)

Note: The CDC applies the landscaping and screening chapters to development across zoning districts. Where Chapter 18.165 maps minimum landscaping to land-use types or district labels, those mappings are reproduced here. When the code does not supply a district purpose or typical permitted uses in the retrieved text below, the entry states "Not found in retrieved materials."

Single-dwelling (single-family) lots

Purpose (per landscaping chapter): landscape front/street-facing yards required; small single-family new construction can be exempt from full landscape plan submittal but still must landscape street-facing yards (§ 18.165.020(D)) .
Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Key landscaping standard: Front yard landscaping required for single dwelling; full landscape plan exemption applies to single-family projects with less than 5,000 sq ft of landscape area (§ 18.165.050; § 18.165.020(D)) .
Where it applies: all single-dwelling projects citywide unless part of larger discretionary review.

Small Lot Residential Development (two or more lots)

Purpose: ensure common open areas and street-facing yards are landscaped (Chapter 18.155 design criteria echoes landscaping and planter strip rules) .
Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Key standard: Front yard and all common areas must be landscaped (Table 18.165.050) .
Where it applies: small-lot subdivisions; also subject to small-lot design criteria (§ 18.155) .

Other Residential (duplexes, multifamily)

Purpose: provide usable open space and buffer surrounding uses.
Typical permitted uses: duplexes, multifamily.
Key standard: All usable open areas not occupied by decks/patios or 20%, whichever is greater, must be landscaped (§ 18.165.050) .
Where it applies: multifamily developments, mixed residential projects.

Commercial / Mixed Use districts grouped in the CDC mapping

CMX, NC, RC, WMX (commercial/retail/mixed): Minimum 20% of the site must be landscaped (Table 18.165.050) (§ 18.165.050) .
- Purpose / permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials in the supplied excerpts; see the CDC district chapters for uses. Verify with the city when in doubt.
Downtown Pedestrian (DP): Minimum 10% landscaping required (Table 18.165.050) (§ 18.165.050) .
Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX): Minimum 20% landscaping required (Table 18.165.050) (§ 18.165.050) .
CO, OBP, IBP (office & business park / industrial-business park): 20% landscaping required (Table 18.165.050) (§ 18.165.050) .

Practical note: Table 18.165.050 allows the review authority to grant exceptions on very small parcels or where no setback applies; always verify feasibility with planning staff (§ 18.165.050) .

Site and parking-lot screening rules (decision-relevant)

Perimeter screening for surface parking: parking areas must be screened from the street and adjoining properties; street-facing setback areas must be landscaped; car screening between 30–36 inches in height along street frontages is expected to screen cars (parking not permitted in required setbacks except single/double dwelling) (§ 18.165.060.D.1.a–d) .
Interior parking-lot planting: minimum 10% of gross parking area must be landscaped; trees of at least five feet tall (24-inch box) and a ratio of at least one 24-inch box shade tree per five parking spaces; trees should shade 50% of pavement within 10 years (§ 18.165.060.E.1–2) .
Parking perimeter adjacent to property lines: minimum 5-foot landscaped strip (inside dimension) required where parking adjoins side or rear property lines; one tree per 30 linear feet (§ 18.165.060.D.2) .
Transitional buffers: where nonresidential/multifamily abut residential districts, projects must follow the transitional requirements (additional setbacks, screening, fence/wall standards) (§ 18.150.180) .

For anything that affects vehicle circulation, also coordinate with Concord Parking.

Fences and walls — heights, measurement, prohibited materials

Standard maximum heights:
- On residential properties: 6 feet maximum for fences/walls, with limited exceptions (up to 7 feet if top 1 foot is lattice; up to 8 feet via minor exception or where outside setbacks allow) (§ 18.150.040(3)) .
- On nonresidential/mixed-use side/rear yards: 8 feet maximum (§ 18.150.040(4)) .
- Retaining walls: 4 feet maximum (benched where larger) (§ 18.150.040(5)) .
Measurement: height measured from the lowest natural grade at the base of the fence/wall to the top edge; combination fence/retaining wall measured cumulatively unless separated by 24 inches (§ 18.150.040(D)) .
Prohibited materials: barbed/razor wire, electrified fences, and chain link when visible from public areas (unless approved for special circumstances) (§ 18.150.040(E)) .
Transitional fence/wall requirements table: the CDC includes a matrix of required wall/fence types between proposed and adjoining uses (e.g., 6–8 ft walls depending on use pairing) — see the CDC table on transitional fence/wall requirements (§ 18.150.180 and the associated table) .

Design-review criteria treat height, materials, colors, and variety of fences, walls, and screen plantings as items of review (§ 18.415.070(F)) .

Tree protection, permits, and replacement

The CDC defines protected trees and establishes a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) and tree-permit process in Chapter 18.310 (§ 18.310.010–020). Protected trees include native oak species at specified trunk diameters and other trees above size thresholds (§ 18.310.020(A)) .
Activities that affect protected trees (removal, relocation, >20% encroachment in TPZ) require a tree permit and an ISA arborist report (§ 18.310.020(D); § 18.310.030–040) .
Temporary protective fencing at the outer edge of the TPZ (minimum 5-foot chain-link or substitute) is required during construction (§ 18.310.050(F)) .
Replacement ratio if removal is approved: minimum 3 replacement trees for each removed protected tree; size and species determined by arborist and review authority (§ 18.310.060(A)) .
Certification and enforcement: arborist certification letters, performance guarantees, and civil penalties (up to three times the damage or $5,000, whichever is greater) can be imposed for violations (§ 18.310.080) .

Landscape plans, irrigation, installation, and maintenance

A preliminary landscape plan is required with applications where CDC 18.165.020 makes the chapter applicable; final landscape and irrigation plans must be approved before issuance of permits and must comply with Chapter 18.170 (water-efficient landscaping) (§ 18.165.030) .
Plant size & mix: trees: minimum 24-inch box (except hillside 15-gallon), shrubs: 5-gallon minimum, groundcover must reach 100% coverage in two years; turf limited to 25% of landscaped area (§ 18.165.070/C.1–2) .
Installation timing & surety: required landscaping and screening must be installed prior to occupancy or use; the planning division may require a 150% surety for plant/installation/maintenance cost for up to two years (§ 18.165.030(E–F)) .
Maintenance: landscaping must be permanently maintained and irrigation systems kept fully functional; water waste is prohibited (§ 18.165.080) .

Most decision-relevant standards — quick table

Standard / Item	Requirement / Limit	Code Reference
Minimum site landscaping — Commercial (CMX/NC/RC/WMX)	20% of site	§ 18.165.050
Minimum site landscaping — Downtown Pedestrian (DP)	10% of site	§ 18.165.050
Minimum site landscaping — Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX)	20% of site	§ 18.165.050
Parking-lot interior landscaping	Minimum 10% of parking area; 1 tree per 5 spaces; 24-inch box trees	§ 18.165.060
Perimeter parking screening along street	30–36 in screening (min/max) for view of cars	§ 18.165.060.D.1.b
Fence/wall height — residential properties	6 ft max (up to 7 ft with lattice; up to 8 ft via minor exception or where permitted)	§ 18.150.040(3)
Visibility triangle plant height	Landscaping within visibility triangle must not exceed 30 in (trees trimmed to 8 ft canopy allowed)	§ 18.150.170 and CDC landscaping standards
Protected trees / TPZ	Definitions, arborist report, TPZ, 5-ft temporary fencing, 3:1 replacement ratio	§ 18.310.010–080
Landscape plan & irrigation	Preliminary + final plans required; irrigation must meet Chapter 18.170 (Water Efficient Landscaping)	§ 18.165.030; § 18.170

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before planning/building permit issuance)

Prepare and submit a preliminary landscape plan when CDC 18.165.020 makes it applicable; plans must include required checklist items and be prepared by a California-licensed landscape architect where required (§ 18.165.030) .
Show minimum landscape area per use/district (e.g., 20% for CMX/CO; 10% for DP) or obtain an exception from the review authority if infeasible (§ 18.165.050) .
Submit final landscape construction and irrigation plans compliant with Chapter 18.170 before issuance of permits; irrigation must be automatic and water-efficient (§ 18.165.030; § 18.170) .
Meet parking-lot landscaping/perimeter screening standards (10% interior area; perimeter strips; trees at specified rates) (§ 18.165.060) .
Ensure sight-line/visibility triangle compliance (no landscaping > 30 in in visibility triangles; maintain canopy clearance at 8 ft) (§ 18.150.170; CDC landscaping standards) .
Demonstrate compliance with fences and walls rules (height measurement, prohibited materials, transitional wall requirements where abutting residential uses) and note that design review will examine materials/color/height (§ 18.150.040; § 18.150.180; § 18.415.070(F)) .
If work affects protected trees, include an ISA arborist report and apply for a tree permit; show TPZ fencing and protection measures on plans (§ 18.310.030–050) .
Provide any required surety or performance guarantee for landscaping installation/maintenance if requested by the review authority (150% plant/installation/maintenance cost) (§ 18.165.030(F)) .
Coordinate with design review if the project is subject to Concord Design Review — landscaping, walls, and screening are design-review topics (§ 18.415.020) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Minor single-family exemptions for plan submittal	A single-family project with < 5,000 sq ft landscape area may not require full landscape plan — but required street-facing yards still must be landscaped (§ 18.165.020(D))	Confirm with planning staff whether your lot qualifies for the exemption and whether your street-facing yard meets Chapter 18.165 standards.
Where “minimum %” landscaping can be reduced	Table 18.165.050 allows exceptions on very small parcels or where no setbacks apply; discretionary review can modify minimums (§ 18.165.050)	If your parcel is small or downtown, confirm feasibility and whether the review authority will accept an exception.
Tree protection thresholds and species lists	Protected-tree thresholds (12" DBH for certain natives; 24" for other species) are precise and trigger tree-permit requirements (§ 18.310.020(A))	Get an ISA arborist assessment before design to determine which trees are protected and whether removal or encroachment triggers a tree permit.
Fence height exceptions and measurement	Exceptions (lattice, minor exceptions, setbacks) exist but are tightly defined; measurement is from lowest grade (§ 18.150.040)	Verify the grade reference point on your lot and whether you need a minor exception or other approval.
Parking screening vs. pedestrian visibility	Perimeter screening height (30–36") can conflict with sight-line/visibility triangle requirements (30" max); the code allows trees trimmed to maintain 8-ft canopy in visibility triangles (§ 18.165.060.D; § 18.150.170)	Confirm exact setback, curb line, and visibility triangle measurement with planning/engineering; coordinate tree species and canopy clearance.
Conflicts with creek/riparian protections	Landscaping or grading adjacent to creeks is governed by Chapter 18.305 and may require additional setbacks or revegetation standards (§ 18.305.010–050)	If your site touches a creek or floodplain, get creek-protection review early; standard landscaping rules are supplemental to creek protections.

Plain-English summary

Concord requires most new commercial, multi-family, and many residential projects to submit landscape and irrigation plans, meet minimum landscaped-area percentages (e.g., 20% for many commercial districts, 10% in DP), provide parking-lot landscaping and perimeter screening, follow visibility-triangle height limits, build fences/walls within stated height limits, and protect significant trees via a tree-permit process with an arborist report. These rules are found in Chapters 18.165, 18.150, and 18.310 of the Concord Development Code, and many projects will also be reviewed for landscaping under design review (§ 18.415) .

Source References

CDC Chapter 18.165 — Landscaping (purpose, applicability, plans, location requirements, minimum landscaping, parking-lot landscaping, plant standards, maintenance) — § 18.165.010 – § 18.165.080 .
CDC § 18.165.030 — Landscape plan and irrigation plan submittal, timing, surety, final certification .
CDC § 18.165.050 — Table of minimum landscaping by use/district (Single dwelling, Small-lot residential, Multifamily, CMX/NC/RC/WMX, DP, DMX, CO/OBP/IBP) .
CDC § 18.165.060 — Parking lot landscaping requirements and perimeter screening (30–36 in car screen; interior 10% area; tree spacing rates) .
CDC § 18.165.070 / § 18.165.080 — Plant material sizes, turf limits, irrigation, and maintenance requirements (§ references in landscaping chapter) .
CDC Chapter 18.150 — General Development Standards (fences/walls, visibility triangle, transitional requirements) — § 18.150.040; § 18.150.170; § 18.150.180 .
CDC Chapter 18.310 — Tree Preservation and Protection (protected tree definitions, TPZ, arborist report, tree permits, replacement ratios) — § 18.310.010 – § 18.310.080 .
CDC Chapter 18.415 — Design and Site Review (landscaping and screening as review criteria) — § 18.415.020 – § 18.415.110 .
CDC Chapter 18.170 — Water Efficient Landscaping (adopted state model; irrigation requirements referenced by 18.165) — see Chapter 18.170 § 18.170.010–030 .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Concord Zoning Code (§ 122-443) High relevance
Concord Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance
CMC § 122 (Chapter 16.05) High relevance
Concord Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance
Concord Zoning Code High relevance
Concord Zoning Code (§ 122-335) High relevance
Concord Zoning Code (Chapter 18.165) High relevance
CMC § 8.25.490 (§ 122-397) High relevance
Concord Zoning Code (Chapter 18.170) High relevance
Concord Zoning Code (section and) Medium relevance
Concord Zoning Code (section for) Medium relevance
Concord Zoning Code (§ 122-774) Medium relevance
Concord Zoning Code (§ 122-775) Medium relevance
CMC § 122 (chapter provides) Medium relevance
CMC § 15.75.050 (§ 122-777) Medium relevance
Concord Zoning Code (chapter unless) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Concord code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need a landscape plan for a single-family house in Concord?

Not always. New single-family dwellings or additions with less than 5,000 sq ft of landscape area are exempt from submitting full landscape and irrigation plans, but all required street-facing yards must still be landscaped and water-efficiency rules apply (§ 18.165.020(D); Chapter 18.170) .

How much of my commercial site must be landscaped in Concord?

Most commercial districts identified in the CDC (for example CMX, NC, RC, WMX) require 20% of the site to be landscaped; the Downtown Pedestrian (DP) district requires 10%, and DMX requires 20% (Table 18.165.050) — exceptions can be granted by the review authority for small parcels (§ 18.165.050) .

What are Concord’s parking-lot landscaping and screening rules?

Surface parking must be screened from streets and adjacent properties; perimeter strips of at least 5 feet are required where parking adjoins property lines, interior landscaping must be at least 10% of the parking area, with one 24-inch box tree per five parking spaces, and car screening at the street should be roughly 30–36 inches tall (§ 18.165.060) .

How high can I build a fence or wall on a residential lot?

Standard maximum fence/wall height on most residential properties is 6 feet. It may be increased to 7 feet if the top foot is lattice, to 8 feet via minor exception or when the fence sits outside the required setbacks — measurement is from the lowest natural grade to the top of the structure (§ 18.150.040) .

Do I need a tree permit to remove a tree on my property?

If the tree is a protected tree (e.g., certain native oaks ≥ 12 in DBH, or other species ≥ 24 in DBH) and the removal/relocation is associated with a development activity that requires a planning permit, then yes: a tree permit and ISA arborist report are required (§ 18.310.020; § 18.310.030–040) .

What protective measures are required during construction near a protected tree?

You must establish a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ), install temporary protective fencing (minimum 5-ft chain link at the TPZ edge), post on-site information (arborist report, tree permit, fencing plan), avoid trenching through TPZ except by approved methods, and submit certification letters from the arborist after regulated activities (§ 18.310.050–080) .

Can landscaping be used to meet transitional buffering between nonresidential and residential uses?

Yes. Transitional requirements require setbacks, screening, and landscape buffers; parking areas adjacent to residential uses must provide at least a 5-foot landscape buffer and comply with transitional requirements in § 18.150.180 (§ 18.165.060.D.4; § 18.150.180) .

When must landscaping be installed and certified?

Required landscaping and screening must be installed consistent with approved plans prior to occupancy or use of the site. A certificate of completion signed by the licensed landscape architect (and any other certifications required by Chapter 18.170) is required before occupancy (§ 18.165.030(E)) .

Do visibility triangles or sight-line rules limit screening?

Yes — landscaping (and structures) within the visibility triangle at intersections and driveways generally may not exceed 30 inches in height, except trees maintained with a canopy 8 feet above grade are allowed; see § 18.150.170 and related landscaping standards (§ 18.150.170; CDC landscaping) .

If my project is in the downtown district, can the 20% landscaping rule be reduced?

The code allows the review authority to grant exceptions where the minimum landscaping is not feasible (for very small parcels or parcels with no setback requirements). Downtown districts (DP/DMX) have lower or specific percentages (10% or 20%) in Table 18.165.050, but exceptions can be processed (§ 18.165.050) . ---

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