Cudahy — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Cudahy’s zoning code sets citywide landscaping and screening rules in Title 20 Zoning, with special add‑ons for specific uses and zones. Core standards require live planting in visible areas, water‑efficient design, and durable screening where needed, with additional rules for parking lot trees, residential fences/walls/hedges, and use‑specific frontage planters. The code also folds in state water‑efficiency requirements and ties landscape areas to stormwater quality. See the city’s broader context under the Cudahy zoning & planning overview and zone‑by‑zone metrics in Cudahy Development Standards.

Most front‑facing and publicly visible site areas in Cudahy must be landscaped with live plants and kept irrigated and maintained; parking lots with 10+ spaces must include interior landscaping and shade trees.

Citywide landscaping framework

• Purpose and scope. The city “promotes the value and benefits of landscapes” and applies minimum landscape standards across zones, incorporating the state’s Model Water‑Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) by reference to ensure water conservation and sustainable design (§ 20.56.110(A)–(B) ).
• What counts as “landscaping.” “Landscaping” means planting and maintaining live trees, shrubs, groundcover, and lawn, plus irrigation; decorative inorganic accents (rock, stone, wood, fountains, benches, architectural screens/walls/fences) may complement, but not imitate, natural vegetation (§ 20.88.130 “Landscaping” ).
• Where landscaping is required.
  • Residential zones: All site areas not used for buildings, driveways, or walkways must be landscaped and permanently maintained. Hardscape (including driveways/walks) may not cover more than 40% of the front setback (§ 20.56.110(C)(1) ).
  • Commercial, Mixed‑Use, and Industrial zones: All setbacks, parkways, open areas, plazas/paseos, and non‑work areas visible from a public street/alley or from a public parking lot must be landscaped. This includes required common open space, service‑station landscape rules (§ 20.52.490), and parking lot landscaping per § 20.64.070(B) (§ 20.56.110(C)(2) ).
• Low Impact Development (LID) and pervious areas. Pervious open‑space areas may double as stormwater infiltration, coordinated with the City Engineer and consistent with Chapter 20.68 (LID Measures) (§ 20.56.110(D) ).
• Irrigation. In MDR, HDR, Commercial, Industrial, and Mixed‑Use zones, landscaped areas must have permanent, below‑grade irrigation systems (sprinkler heads may be above grade) (§ 20.56.110(E) ).

Parking lot landscaping and shade

• Triggers and coverage. For parking facilities with 10+ automobiles, interior landscaping must cover at least 6% of the outdoor parking area, and any area between a required wall and the property line must be landscaped (§ 20.64.070(B) as cross‑referenced in § 20.56.110(C)(2); standards appear in the parking chapter ).
• Tree requirement. Provide shade trees at a rate of 1 tree per 10 spaces; trees must be broad‑canopy species and at least 36‑inch box at planting, placed to maximize lot shading (§ 20.64.070(B) ).
• Design review tie‑in. Parking‑area landscaping is reviewed with the site’s development review; coordinate early with Cudahy Design Review.

Residential fences, walls, hedges (screening at the street and property lines)

Applies to all residential zones unless otherwise stated (§ 20.16.120(A) ):

• Front/side‑street/rear‑street yards in LDR/MDR/HDR. A decorative fence, masonry wall, or hedge up to 42 in. is allowed; wrought iron up to 48 in. Pilasters must be at least 8 ft apart. Chain‑link (wire/steel mesh) is prohibited in these street‑facing yards. At corners, the maximum within the visibility triangle is 36 in. (see § 20.56.090 visibility standards) (§ 20.16.120(B)(1) ).
• Interior side/rear yards. Up to 8 ft high for fences/walls/hedges (§ 20.16.120(B)(2) ).
• Materials. “Decorative fence” = about 80% visibility; prohibited materials include broken glass, barbed/razor wire, corrugated metal/plastic (§ 20.16.120(C) ).
• Special frontage barrier. A barrier up to 8 ft, within 5 ft of a street/highway, may be approved to separate several lots from a street (§ 20.16.120(D) ).
• Modifications and nonconforming fences. Administrative adjustments may be granted; legacy fences follow Chapter 20.80 (nonconforming), and intersection visibility is controlled by § 20.56.090 (§ 20.16.120(E), (F), (G) ).
• Ongoing maintenance. Fences/walls and yards/landscaping must be kept free of hazards, graffiti, and debris; premises maintenance is mandatory citywide (§ 20.56.030(A), (C), (E) ).

Use‑specific frontage landscaping and screening

• Automobile/service stations. Landscaping must be automatically irrigated and maintained with: a minimum 5‑ft landscape planter along all street‑side property lines (except driveways); a 150 sf planted corner at street intersections; at least 40 sf of planting along any building façade facing a street; all landscaped areas enclosed by a masonry planter or 6‑in concrete curb (§ 20.52.490(A)–(D) ). Driveway placement and building setbacks also interact with these standards (§ 20.52.480, § 20.52.500(A) ).
• Commercial cannabis facilities. Drought‑tolerant California‑native planting is required; a 5‑ft front planter may be required; new development/parking must satisfy § 20.64.070 parking‑lot landscaping and any Entertainment Zone extras in § 20.20.030. A security screening system—fences/walls/other screening—is required along the front perimeter: 8–10 ft at the front setback; up to 15 ft at rear/side yards; chain‑link and razor wire are prohibited (§ 20.32.110(B), (D)–(E) ).
• At‑home vehicle repair (ancillary screening). Repairs must occur in a fully enclosed garage or in a rear yard screened by a 6‑ft fence from public rights‑of‑way and adjoining properties (§ 20.16.120(D)(6) vehicle repair standard in residential chapter ).

District‑by‑District: Landscaping and Screening Highlights

The items below summarize landscaping/screening where the code provides zone‑specific direction. For complete dimensional standards see Cudahy Zoning and Cudahy Development Standards.

LDR — Low Density Residential

• Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards affecting landscape/screening:
  • Front hardscape cap: 40% of front setback; all other open areas landscaped (§ 20.56.110(C)(1) ).
  • Fences/walls/hedges: Street‑facing ≤ 42 in. (wrought iron ≤ 48 in.); interior sides/rear ≤ 8 ft; no chain‑link in street‑facing yards; 36‑in. limit in visibility triangle (§ 20.16.120(B)–(C) ).
  • Tree planting with new units: 2 15‑gallon trees per dwelling unit plus 1 25‑inch box per 3 units; street‑tree siting by the Director (§ 20.16.130(C) ).
• Where it applies: Residential areas designated LDR. Verify with the jurisdiction.

MDR — Medium Density Residential

• Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Same front hardscape cap 40%; remaining front yard landscaped (§ 20.56.110(C)(1) ).
  • Fences/walls/hedges as in LDR; no chain‑link in street‑facing yards (§ 20.16.120(B)–(C) ).
  • New residential trees as in LDR (§ 20.16.130(C) ).
• Where it applies: Residential areas designated MDR. Verify with the jurisdiction.

HDR — High Density Residential

• Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Same front hardscape cap 40%; remaining front yard landscaped (§ 20.56.110(C)(1) ).
  • Fences/walls/hedges as in LDR; no chain‑link in street‑facing yards (§ 20.16.120(B)–(C) ).
  • New residential trees as in LDR (§ 20.16.130(C) ).
• Where it applies: Residential areas designated HDR. Verify with the jurisdiction.

NC — Neighborhood Commercial

• Purpose: Provide convenient commercial services for residents not near the Atlantic Avenue District (§ 20.20.010(A) ).
• Key standards:
  • Front/side‑street setback: 10 ft; if parking or outdoor storage is in the front yard, a 10‑ft landscaped setback is required (§ 20.20.030/Table 20.20‑2 notes ).
  • Visible areas landscaped; parking‑lot interior landscaping/trees per § 20.64.070(B) (§ 20.56.110(C)(2) ).
• Where it applies: NC‑designated parcels. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Ent — Entertainment Zone

• Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Front/side‑street setback: 0 ft; where front‑yard parking/outdoor storage occurs, apply 10‑ft landscaped setback per table note (§ 20.20.030/Table 20.20‑2 ).
  • Parking‑lot landscaping per § 20.64.070(B); cannabis projects must also meet entertainment‑area extras referenced in § 20.20.030 and § 20.32.110(B)(4) (§ 20.32.110(B)(4) ).
• Where it applies: Ent‑designated areas (commonly along Atlantic Avenue). Verify with the jurisdiction.

I‑Ind — Industrial

• Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Front/side‑street setback: 0–10 ft; if parking/outdoor storage is front‑yard, provide 10‑ft landscaped setback (§ 20.20.030/Table 20.20‑2 ).
  • Parking‑lot landscaping/trees per § 20.64.070(B); all visible areas landscaped (§ 20.56.110(C)(2) ).
• Where it applies: I‑Ind‑designated parcels. Verify with the jurisdiction.

LI — Light Industrial

• Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • Front/side‑street setback: 10 ft; if parking/outdoor storage is front‑yard, require 10‑ft landscaped setback (§ 20.20.030/Table 20.20‑2 ).
  • Parking‑lot landscaping/trees per § 20.64.070(B); all visible areas landscaped (§ 20.56.110(C)(2) ).
• Where it applies: LI‑designated parcels. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Civic Mixed‑Use Zone

• Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Key standards:
  • All visible setbacks/open areas landscaped; parking‑lot landscaping per § 20.64.070(B) (§ 20.56.110(C)(2) ).
  • Day care and K‑12 schools have siting limitations near the Urban Agriculture Overlay, but no distinct overlay landscaping standards were found (§ 20.32.090(B)–(C) context ).
• Where it applies: Civic Mixed‑Use‑designated areas. Verify with the jurisdiction and Cudahy Overlay Districts.

Decision‑relevant standards at a glance

Practical cross‑checks

• Coordinate with Cudahy Parking early; parking stall counts can trigger the 6% and tree standards (§ 20.64.070(B) ).
• If your project needs relief from a fence/landscape standard, see Cudahy Variances and Exceptions. CUPs and DR permits may add “buffer,” “walls,” and landscape maintenance conditions (§ 20.84.340/20.84.350 context for findings/conditions ).
• Nonconforming fences follow Cudahy Nonconforming Uses (§ 20.16.120(F) ).

Checklist

• Confirm your base zone and any overlays using Cudahy Zoning.
• Show landscaped coverage per zone: residential front‑yard hardscape ≤ 40%; visible areas landscaped in commercial/industrial/mixed‑use (§ 20.56.110(C) ).
• Provide permanent, below‑grade irrigation where required (MDR/HDR/Commercial/Industrial/Mixed‑Use) (§ 20.56.110(E) ).
• For parking with 10+ stalls, provide ≥ 6% interior landscaping and 1 36‑in‑box shade tree per 10 spaces (§ 20.64.070(B) ).
• In residential zones: confirm fence/wall/hedge heights, materials, and street‑facing prohibitions (§ 20.16.120(B)–(C) ).
• For new residential units: add required trees per unit and per three units (§ 20.16.130(C) ).
• If front‑yard parking/outdoor storage is proposed in NC/Ent/I‑Ind/LI, include a 10‑ft landscaped setback (§ 20.20.030/Table note ).
• For service stations: include 5‑ft street planter, 150 sf corner planting, 40 sf façade planting, and curbed planters (§ 20.52.490 ).
• For cannabis sites: include drought‑tolerant planting, required security screening heights/materials (§ 20.32.110(B), (E) ).
• Keep landscaping/fences maintained and free from debris/graffiti (§ 20.56.030 ).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If your project faces the street or a public parking lot, expect to plant it and keep it green. Homes can’t pave more than 40% of the front setback and have tight limits on street‑facing fence height and materials. Commercial/industrial sites must landscape all visible areas and, if they have 10 or more parking spaces, add interior planting and broad‑canopy trees. Special uses like gas stations and cannabis sites have extra planter and screening rules. When in doubt, ask the City early—some standards are discretionary and confirmed in design review.

Source References

• § 20.56.110 Landscaping (purpose, MWELO adoption, residential/commercial/mixed‑use/industrial requirements, irrigation, LID tie‑in)
• § 20.64.070(B) Parking lot landscaping (6% interior landscaping; 1 tree/10 spaces; 36‑in‑box) — referenced in § 20.56.110; standards appear in the parking chapter text
• § 20.16.120 Fences, walls, hedges in residential zones (heights, materials, prohibitions, visibility triangle reference, modifications, nonconforming)
• § 20.16.130(C) Trees required for new residential buildings
• § 20.56.030 Property, fence/wall, and yard/landscaping maintenance
• § 20.52.490 Service station landscape regulations; § 20.52.480 Driveway regs; § 20.52.500(A) screening of breakroom entrance
• § 20.32.110 Commercial cannabis landscaping and fencing/screening standards (B), (D)–(E)
• § 20.20.030/Table 20.20‑2 Development standards/landscaped setback note for NC/Ent/I‑Ind/LI
• § 20.88.130 “Landscaping” definition

Retrieved passages

• CMC § 20.52.490 (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (Title 20) High relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (Title 20) High relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 20.52.490 (Chapter 2.7) High relevance show source text
• CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance show source text
• Cudahy Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 20.64.070 (Chapter 20.68) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § 20.56.110 Landscaping (purpose, MWELO adoption, residential/commercial/mixed‑use/industrial requirements, irrigation, LID tie‑in) (§ 20.56.110)
• § 20.64.070(B) Parking lot landscaping (6% interior landscaping; 1 tree/10 spaces; 36‑in‑box) — referenced in § 20.56.110; standards appear in the parking chapter text (§ 20.64.070)
• § 20.16.120 Fences, walls, hedges in residential zones (heights, materials, prohibitions, visibility triangle reference, modifications, nonconforming) (§ 20.16.120)
• § 20.16.130(C) Trees required for new residential buildings (§ 20.16.130)
• § 20.56.030 Property, fence/wall, and yard/landscaping maintenance (§ 20.56.030)
• § 20.52.490 Service station landscape regulations; § 20.52.480 Driveway regs; § 20.52.500(A) screening of breakroom entrance (§ 20.52.490)
• § 20.32.110 Commercial cannabis landscaping and fencing/screening standards (B), (D)–(E) (§ 20.32.110)
• § 20.20.030/Table 20.20‑2 Development standards/landscaped setback note for **NC/Ent/I‑Ind/LI** (§ 20.20.030)
• § 20.88.130 “Landscaping” definition (§ 20.88.130)
• Cudahy_ZoningCode.md