Local zoning · Corona

Corona — Landscaping and Screening

Q: Are irrigation and planting types specified?

Yes — the Code requires automatic low‑precipitation irrigation for landscaped areas except where warm‑season turf is allowed, prohibits spray‑head irrigation on slopes in certain situations, and defines terms such as “low precipitation irrigation” and “MAWA” (Maximum Annual Water Allowance). Specific plant lists (e.g., street tree list) and design guidelines are adopted by resolution and used to implement the Code ( § 17.70.070 , definitions) .

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

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Corona Municipal Code requires for landscaping and screening (planting, buffers, fences, walls, and related irrigation/maintenance) under Title 17 (Zoning). It synthesizes the City’s objective standards (setbacks, buffer widths, permitted wall/fence materials, parking-area landscaping) and the process controls (landscape plans, certifications, and enforcement) so applicants and homeowners know which Corona rules to follow and where to verify parcel‑specific details. For zoning context see the city’s main Corona zoning & planning overview.

Note on sources and scope: everything below is grounded in the Corona Zoning Code excerpts retrieved from the City’s Title 17; each requirement cites the controlling Code § and the file-search citation for the ordinance text. Where the ordinance text does not provide a rule, the entry says “Not found in retrieved materials” or flags “Verify with the jurisdiction.”

Key citywide rules (plain-English synthesis)

Front, side and rear yards required by a zone must be fully landscaped, include concrete curb planters, and be served by an irrigation system operable at all times ( § 17.33.070 ) .
All fencing/walls and landscape areas must conform to Chapter 17.70 (Landscaping, Fences, Walls, Hedges); commercial fence materials are limited to wrought iron or decorative block and chain link, wood and precision block are explicitly prohibited in that context; fences/walls directly abutting residential parcels must be decorative block, minimum six feet in height ( § 17.33.070(B) ) .
Parking lots must meet minimum landscaping percentages (distributed half inside parking area / half around perimeter) and minimum planter widths; the parking landscape rules are tied to Chapter 17.70/17.76 (parking landscaping table and standards) ( § 17.70.070 / cross-ref to § 17.76.100(A) ) .
Where a new or expanded non‑residential facility adjoins residential zones, a landscape buffer minimum width of 10 ft planted with evergreen trees/shrubs that reach at least 10 ft at maturity is required for screening ( § 17.72.040 and related use‑specific rules at § 17.72.050 / § 17.72.060 ) .
Large or complex projects require a landscape plan prepared to the Community Development Director’s standards (typically by a California licensed landscape architect), certification of landscape completion prior to final occupancy, and ongoing maintenance obligations enforced as a misdemeanor and civil remedies (see § 17.70.070, § 17.102.030, and enforcement clauses) .

Practical note: Landscape plans and screening are an integral part of project review (Development Plan Review / Architectural Review). See the Corona Design Review and Development Plan Review rules in Title 17 (for required plan content) ( § 17.100.040; § 17.102.030 ) .

District-by-district breakdown (where landscaping/screening rules appear in the code)

Each subsection below highlights the zoning district name in bold, the local purpose (as stated or implied by the zone chapter), typical uses, the corona landscaping/screening items the code ties to that district, and the controlling sections to check.

C-P (Professional & Office)

Purpose / typical uses: professional and office developments; listed in the Commercial Land Use Development Standards table (Table 2-17-33). See Corona Zoning for mapping.
Landscaping / screening highlights:
- Minimum landscape setback abutting a residential zone: 10 ft (development standards table). § 17.33.060 .
- Front, side and rear yards must be fully landscaped; concrete curb planters and operable irrigation required. § 17.33.070(A) .
- Fence materials limited to wrought iron or decorative block; if the property directly abuts residential parcels, the wall/fence must be decorative block, minimum six feet in height. § 17.33.070(B) .

C-2 (Restricted Commercial)

Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood-serving retail and services; see Table 2-17-33.
Landscaping / screening highlights:
- Minimum landscape setback abutting a residential zone: 10 ft. § 17.33.060 .
- Standard landscape rules apply: landscape plans, irrigation, parking-area landscaping percentages, and permitted fence/wall materials per Chapter 17.70 and § 17.33.070. § 17.33.070; § 17.70.070 .

C-3 (General Commercial)

Purpose / typical uses: more intensive commercial uses and centers.
Landscaping / screening highlights:
- Minimum landscape setback abutting a residential zone: 20 ft (larger buffer in the table). § 17.33.060 .
- Same requirements for yard landscaping, irrigation, and fence materials as other commercial zones (Chapter 17.70; § 17.33.070). § 17.33.070; § 17.70.070 .

Table: commercial setback excerpts (decision‑relevant)

Standard	Value (example)	Code reference
Minimum landscape setback abutting residential — C-P	10 ft	§ 17.33.060
Minimum landscape setback abutting residential — C-2	10 ft	§ 17.33.060
Minimum landscape setback abutting residential — C-3	20 ft	§ 17.33.060
Commercial parking landscaping (percentage of parking area)	0–24 stalls: 6%; 25–49: 8%; 50+: 10% (50% inside parking area / 50% perimeter)	§ 17.70.070 (cross-ref § 17.76.100(A))
Landscape buffer adjacent to residential (uses like auto rental, dealerships)	Minimum width 10 ft; dense evergreen planting to 10 ft maturity	§ 17.72.040 / § 17.72.050 / § 17.72.060

R‑3 (Multi‑family Residential) and single‑family residential standards

Purpose / typical uses: apartments, townhouses, group housing (see Chapter headings in Title 17).
Landscaping / screening highlights:
- The R‑zone chapters require that the front yard be landscaped and that Chapter 17.70 apply to walls/fences/landscaping (example: § 17.28.130 referencing Chapter 17.70) .
- Multi‑family projects have specific tree counts: e.g., one tree per 15 linear ft in narrow planted strips up to 5 ft, and one tree per 200 sq ft in other landscaped areas (multi‑family rules under Chapter 17.70). § 17.70.070(3)(b) (multi‑family) .
- Parkway/street trees must follow the Parks & Recreation Commission list and are typically 24‑inch box minimum at installation; irrigation obligations apply. § 17.70.070 (street tree rules) .

MP (Mobile Home Park Zone)

Purpose / typical uses: planned mobile home parks (Chapter 17.30).
Landscaping / screening highlights:
- The MP zone explicitly references Chapter 17.70 for landscaping, walls and fences ( § 17.30.x — see chapter; Chapter 17.70 applies ). § 17.30.020 (permitted uses) and cross-reference to Chapter 17.70 — Not all landscaping numeric standards in MP are repeated; check Chapter 17.70 for specific plan requirements. Not found in retrieved materials: a single table row in MP with numeric landscaping minimums — Verify with the jurisdiction. .

AP (Overlay zone) (Agricultural/Other Overlay)

Purpose / typical uses: overlay conditions (e.g., plant nurseries, fruit stands) are regulated in Chapter 17.62.
Landscaping / screening highlights:
- The AP overlay requires application of Chapter 17.70 for walls, fences and landscaping ( § 17.62.480 ). § 17.62.480 .
- Some AP uses (e.g., plant nurseries) have ancillary use rules that reference landscaping and hardscape allowances — see Chapter 17.62 for use‑specific rules. § 17.62.450 .

Commercial / Industrial (general)

Chapter 17.70 sets the citywide standards that apply to commercial, industrial and multi‑family residential projects (landscape plans, irrigation, parking landscaping percentages, slope planting and fuel‑modification planting rules). See § 17.70.070 (landscape plan rules, slopes, irrigation, maintenance, and enforcement). § 17.70.070 .

Standards table — most decision‑relevant items

Topic	Standard / Requirement (Corona)	Code reference
Yard landscaping (front/side/rear)	Fully landscaped; include concrete curb planters; irrigation operable at all times	§ 17.33.070(A)
Fence materials (commercial contexts)	Wrought iron or decorative block only; wood, precision block or chain link prohibited; abutting residential = decorative block, min 6 ft	§ 17.33.070(B)
Parking-area landscaping	6% (0–24 stalls), 8% (25–49), 10% (50+) of total parking area; 50% of that landscape must be within parking area and 50% around perimeter; min planter width 4 ft; curb minimum 6 in	§ 17.70.070 (parking table; cross‑ref to § 17.76.100(A))
Buffer to residential uses (screening)	Minimum 10 ft landscape buffer; densely planted with evergreens that reach 10 ft at maturity (used repeatedly for auto‑related uses and new/expanded facilities adjacent to residences)	§ 17.72.040; § 17.72.050; § 17.72.060
Slope planting & irrigation	Compacted slopes >4 ft must be planted/irrigated/mulched prior to final inspection; natural slopes ≥4:1 must be mass‑planted and have automatic low‑precip irrigation; spray‑head irrigation prohibited on slopes	§ 17.70.070(2)(a)-(b)
Landscape plan / designer	On‑site landscape and irrigation plans required for commercial, industrial and multi‑family projects; generally prepared by a California licensed landscape architect and approved by the Community Development Director	§ 17.70.070(1)(a); § 17.102.030
Completion certification	Landscape certification / inspection required prior to issuance of CO (Certificate of Completion per Guidelines)	§ 17.70.070 (certification)
Enforcement	Violations of the landscaping chapter can be a misdemeanor and are subject to civil enforcement and injunctive relief	§ 17.70.070(F)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for landscaping & screening)

Submit a complete landscape planting and irrigation plan prepared per the Community Development Director’s landscaping standards; commercial/industrial/multi‑family plans normally must be prepared by a California licensed landscape architect ( § 17.70.070(1)(a) ) .
Show concrete curb planters and irrigation details for front/side/rear yards where the zone requires yards ( § 17.33.070(A) ) .
For parking: calculate required % of parking area to be landscaped (6% / 8% / 10% banding); show distribution (50% interior / 50% perimeter), planter widths (min 4 ft), and 6‑inch continuous curbing ( § 17.70.070 ) . Link to Corona Parking for parking plan coordination.
If adjoining residential: provide 10 ft minimum landscape buffer and specify evergreen species that reach 10 ft at maturity (or larger as required) ( § 17.72.040 ) .
Specify fence/wall materials and heights: use wrought iron or decorative block for non‑residential fences; if abuts residential, show decorative block, min 6 ft ( § 17.33.070(B) ) .
For slopes: show slope planting/irrigation/mulch details; avoid spray head irrigation on slopes per the code ( § 17.70.070(2)(a)-(b) ) .
Provide street tree locations/species per the Parks & Recreation Commission approved list; show 24" box minimum for installation where required ( § 17.70.070 (street tree rules) ) .
Plan for a landscape certification/inspection prior to final occupancy (Certificate of Completion per the Guidelines) ( § 17.70.070 (certification) ) .
If the project triggers Architectural Review or Precise Plan review, integrate landscaping/screening with those submittals (see Design Review and § 17.100.040; § 17.91.080 ) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Residential fence desires (e.g., wood/chain‑link) vs. commercial prohibition	The Code prohibits wood, precision block, chain link in the commercial fence context; homeowners sometimes assume chain link is OK everywhere. Nonconforming fences can trigger removal or enforcement. § 17.33.070(B)	Verify whether the site is in a commercial zone or residential parcel; confirm permitted fence types for residential districts with Planning staff.
Exact numeric standards for some small‑lot single‑family landscaping	Title 17 references Guidelines for residential development and delegates numeric standards; the Code does not always repeat every single numeric for every lot size. § 17.70.070(E)	Review the Community Development Director’s Landscape Guidelines and ask Planning for the guideline/resolution that applies to the parcel.
Street tree species and parkway treatment	The Code requires use of the Parks & Recreation approved street tree list and certain parkway materials but does not list every species in the Code text provided. § 17.70.070 (street trees)	Obtain the current Parks Commission street tree list from the City; check any encroachment permits required by Public Works / Parks.
Interplay with parking lot design	Parking landscaping rules cross‑reference the parking chapter; failure to satisfy both can delay approvals. § 17.70.070 / cross‑ref to § 17.76.100(A)	Coordinate landscape plans with the parking plan; consult City’s Development Standards and the Parking page.
Fuel‑modification / WUI / wildfire requirements	Chapter 17.70 mentions fuel modification and the code references requirements for fuel modification zones; the City may also adopt higher fire‑safety rules (e.g., Cal fire codes, WUI). Not fully captured in retrieved snippets.	Verify with Fire Department and Planning for applicable fuel modification planting limits, defensible space, and any Wildland‑Urban Interface rules that overlay the parcel.
ADUs and small accessory landscapes	Title 17 references residential landscape guidance but does not explicitly treat ADU landscapes in the provided excerpts. Not found in retrieved materials	Verify ADU landscaping expectations with Planning and consult the ADUs page and state California ADU law if applicable.

Plain‑English Summary

If you build or change a use in Corona, you must show and install a landscape plan that meets Chapter 17.70 rules (yards landscaped, irrigation, parking‑area planting percentages, and buffers where you abut homes), use allowed fence materials (often wrought iron or decorative block; no chain link for commercial contexts), and certify completion before occupancy — check the precise Code paragraphs for exact feet, percentages and design review triggers (see § 17.33.070; § 17.70.070; § 17.72.040).

Source References

Corona Municipal Code, Title 17 — Landscape and fence rules: § 17.33.070 (Landscaping, walls, fences — commercial zones)
Corona Municipal Code, Title 17 — Landscape chapter and planting, irrigation, parking landscaping table: § 17.70.070 and related subsections (landscape plans, slopes, irrigation, street trees, certification and enforcement)
Corona Municipal Code — Special use landscaping (buffers, auto‑related uses): § 17.72.040; § 17.72.050; § 17.72.060 (required 10 ft buffers and evergreen screening in multiple places)
Commercial zone development standards (table): § 17.33.060 (minimum landscape setback abutting residential — 10 ft / 20 ft as shown in the table)
Plan/submittal content & Development Plan Review: § 17.102.030; § 17.102.040 (required landscape plan info and review procedure)
Architectural/Design Review content (includes landscaping/screening on preliminary drawings): § 17.100.040
AP overlay references to landscaping: § 17.62.480 (Chapter 17.70 applies)

Also see Corona pages used to contextualize planning topics: Corona Development Standards, Corona Parking, Corona Design Review, Corona Overlay Districts, Corona ADUs, and the state California Building Standards Code (referenced for where building rules sit, but Title 24 rules are out of scope for this page).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Corona Zoning Code (Chapter 17.70) High relevance
Corona Zoning Code (§ 17.66.020) High relevance
Corona Zoning Code (§ 17.84.040) High relevance
Corona Zoning Code (§ 17.91.070.) High relevance
CBC § 17.102.030 (§ 17.102.030.) High relevance
Corona Zoning Code (§ 17.91.060.) High relevance
Corona Zoning Code (§ 65591) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Corona code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to submit a landscape plan for a commercial project in Corona?

Yes. On‑site landscape planting and irrigation plans prepared according to the Community Development Director’s landscaping standards are required for all commercial, industrial and multi‑family residential projects; these plans are normally prepared by a California licensed landscape architect and must be approved by the Community Development Director ( § 17.70.070(1)(a) ) .

How much of my parking lot must be landscaped?

Corona requires parking landscaping by parking‑stall bands: 6% of the parking area for 0–24 stalls, 8% for 25–49 stalls, and 10% for 50+ stalls. Half of the required landscaping must be distributed inside the parking area and half around the perimeter; minimum planter width is 4 ft and curbs must be continuous ( § 17.70.070 ) .

What fence materials and heights are allowed near residential zones?

For the commercial contexts explicitly stated in the zoning chapters, fences must be wrought iron or decorative block; wood, precision block and chain link are prohibited. If the fence or wall directly abuts a residential parcel, it must be decorative block, minimum six feet in height ( § 17.33.070(B) ) .

If my site is next to houses, how big must the buffer be?

When a new or expanded non‑residential facility is adjacent to residential parcels the Code repeatedly requires a minimum 10‑foot landscape buffer densely planted with evergreen trees/shrubs that will reach at least 10 feet at maturity for screening (see § 17.72.040; § 17.72.050; § 17.72.060 ) .

Are irrigation and planting types specified?

Yes — the Code requires automatic low‑precipitation irrigation for landscaped areas except where warm‑season turf is allowed, prohibits spray‑head irrigation on slopes in certain situations, and defines terms such as “low precipitation irrigation” and “MAWA” (Maximum Annual Water Allowance). Specific plant lists (e.g., street tree list) and design guidelines are adopted by resolution and used to implement the Code ( § 17.70.070, definitions) .

Do I need to certify landscaping completion?

Yes. Prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for most projects a landscape certification and inspection form must be submitted certifying that the landscaping has been completed in accordance with approved plans; the City uses a Certificate of Completion per the Guidelines ( § 17.70.070 (certification) ) .

Are there penalties if landscaping is not maintained?

Yes. Violations of the landscaping chapter may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, and the City may pursue civil enforcement, injunctive relief, and other remedies as described in the Code ( § 17.70.070(F) ) .

Do the zoning chapters give different buffer/setback numbers by district?

Yes — the commercial development standards table shows district‑level landscape setback differences (for example C‑3 = 20 ft abutting residential, C‑P/C‑2 = 10 ft), while Chapter 17.70 supplies citywide implementation standards (planting, irrigation, parking percentages). Check § 17.33.060 for the commercial table and § 17.70.070 for the landscape implementation rules. § 17.33.060; § 17.70.070 .

Are chain‑link security fences allowed for rear yards or service areas?

The Code prohibits chain link in the commercial fence context ( § 17.33.070(B) ), but it separately permits security fences and walls up to eight feet in height along rear and interior side yards subject to Planning Director review for certain use types (see § 17.72.060(G) ). Confirm the zone, use, and review path with Planning. § 17.33.070(B); § 17.72.060(G) .

Where do design review and landscape screening interact?

Landscape/screening is part of the Architectural Review and Development Plan Review submittal content; the preliminary drawings must show landscaping, fencing, and screening strategies and the Architectural Review Board or Planning Director may condition approvals to require screening for compatibility ( § 17.100.040; § 17.91.080 ) . ---

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