Local zoning · Cupertino

Cupertino — Landscaping and Screening

Q: Where do fence height and material rules live, and when is design review needed?

Fence rules are in Chapter 19.48 (see § 19.48.030 for location/height tables and § 19.48.040 for prohibited/allowed materials). Design Review is required in many zones for fence/wall plans; see Development Review applicability in § 19.12.020 to determine if your project needs design review.

Q: Are there prohibited fence materials visible from the public way?

Yes — barbed wire, razor wire, chicken wire , certain uncoated chain link, fabric membranes, and similar materials are listed as prohibited; public‑facing fences must use allowed materials (wood, metal, masonry, engineered plastic, etc.) and natural/earth‑tone colors per § 19.48.040 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Cupertino’s land use and zoning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and trees in development and remodel projects. It is grounded in the City’s zoning/title provisions (not building code or state ADU/tenant law) and points to the specific municipal code sections that control planting plans, privacy planting, fence heights/materials, parking-lot landscaping, and screening between differing zones. Key rules live in Title 19 (zoning) and interlock with the City’s Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 14.15). See the city’s rules for related topics such as parking, design review, overlays, ADUs, and the state building code as you plan a project — the links below are placed at first natural mention of each topic in the text.

For parking rules, see Cupertino Parking. (/us/california/cupertino/parking)
For Design Review applicability and submittal expectations, see Cupertino Design Review. (/us/california/cupertino/design-review)
For overlay-specific landscape rules consult Cupertino Overlay Districts. (/us/california/cupertino/overlay-districts)
For ADU landscaping interactions, see Cupertino ADUs. (/us/california/cupertino/adu)
For dimensional and setback context, see Cupertino Development Standards. (/us/california/cupertino/development-standards)
For how landscaping may interact with construction standards, see the California Building Standards Code. (/us/california/building-codes)

Note: where the zoning code defers to the Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 14.15) or other titles, the code text calls those chapters out; the detailed irrigation/species/WM requirements are in those separate chapters and are noted below when the ordinance requires compliance.

District-by-district guidance (how landscaping & screening are applied across Cupertino zones)

Single-Family Residential — R-1 (including R1-5, R1-6, R1-a, R1-6e)

Purpose & typical uses: single-family homes; governed by the single-family design and two-story review rules.

What landscaping/screening the code requires (high-level):

Planting plans and front-yard trees: New single-family projects and many additions must submit landscaping that complies with Chapter 14.15 (Landscape Ordinance) and the single-family landscaping rules in § 19.28.120; projects that trigger two-story review must include a planting plan showing species, sizes, and canopy to meet privacy/visual mass mitigation.
Front-yard composition: For projects governed by the R‑1 site standards, at least 50% of the front yard of an approved project must be non‑hardscape landscaping (i.e., not paving) — see the site development table entry for C. Landscaping in Table 19.28.060.
Privacy planting & mitigation: Privacy trees/shrubs must be placed to screen second‑story windows/balconies so that substantial screening is achieved within three years; the City keeps a list of allowed species and sets minimum planting sizes/locations in § 19.28.120 (privacy planting), including rules for windowsill/obscure glass alternatives. The minimum planter width for privacy planting is 3 feet. A covenant to preserve required trees/privacy planting is recorded before final inspection.

Where it applies: citywide in R‑1 single-family zones; the R1-a and R1-6e subzones have tailored design rules (offsets, tree heights, etc.) included in the same sections.

Practical note: expect planting to be specified by species, size (e.g., 24" box front tree, or 12' minimum privacy tree in R1‑a), placement, and an installation/maintenance schedule; the Director may grant waivers if an arborist documents conflicts.

Multi‑Family Residential — R-2, R-3, R-4, TH

Purpose & typical uses: duplexes, small and larger multi‑unit residential projects, townhomes.

What landscaping/screening the code requires:

Landscape plans required for development: New structures and exterior site work in multi‑family and non‑residential districts require landscape plans with design review or administrative review as applicable; see Development Review applicability § 19.12.020.
Parking‑lot landscaping and internal planting: Parking lots must provide interior landscaping percentages and tree quantities per Table 19.124.040(N)(1) (e.g., 5% interior landscaping for small lots; one tree per roughly five stalls pattern rules; 3‑ft planters at ends of stalls). These planting/planter standards apply to commercial and multi‑family parking.
Privacy & visual intrusion: New multi‑family projects must minimize privacy intrusion through building orientation and screening; where landscaping is used for privacy, planting plans and maintenance covenants are commonly required in the project permit.

Where it applies: R‑2/R‑3/R‑4 and townhome standards in the relevant subchapters and the development standards tables. Verify design review thresholds in § 19.12.020.

Commercial / Office / Industrial zones — BA, BQ, T, ML, OA, OP

Purpose & typical uses: commercial, business, technology/office, light manufacturing, etc.

Key landscaping/screening points:

Screening when appropriate: In BA, BQ, and T zones the code allows the Planning Commission to establish setbacks and to require “adequate screening to limit noise, to reduce glare of lights, and to prevent obnoxious emissions” for a given development; in other commercial zones, landscaping plans are required as part of site development materials. See § 19.76.060.
Buffer from residential zones: When a lot abuts or faces residential zoning, tables in the site development regulations require a landscaping/screening strip of 25 feet nearest the lot line to be used for planting/screening (except for access ways); this appears in multiple zone development tables (see the “Setback from Residential Zones” table entries).
Fencing and material standards: Fences separating commercial or industrial uses from residential zones should be built and detailed to provide acoustic isolation and visual privacy, and fence materials/colors are regulated; see Chapter 19.48 for permitted/prohibited materials and § 19.48.020 guidance.

Parking lot landscaping specifics and stormwater-benefit measures (bio‑swales, permeable surfaces) are required where parking is new or substantially altered; see Table 19.124.040 and related parking-lot landscaping provisions.

Planned Development — P and Office/Administrative overlays OA/OP

Purpose & typical uses: integrated developments where landscaping, open space, and buffers are tools of the master plan.

Key points:

Planned developments typically have site-specific development standards; landscaping and screening requirements are established in the development plan and must still achieve the general goals of buffering and protecting adjoining residential areas (the P zone emphasizes conserving natural features and common open space). See § 19.80.010–.030.

Quick-reference table — decision‑relevant standards and code references

Requirement / trigger	What the standard says (plain)	Code reference
Front‑yard landscaping minimum (single‑family projects under certain R‑1 approvals)	At least 50% of front yard must be non‑hardscape landscaping	Table 19.28.060 / § 19.28.060
Privacy planting & front‑yard tree for 2‑story projects	Tree/shrub planting to provide screening within 3 years; front tree 24" box or larger; alternatives (louvers/obscure glass) allowed	§ 19.28.120
Minimum planter width for privacy planting	3 feet minimum planter width; emergency access cannot overlap planters	(privacy planting rules in) § 19.28.120
Fence location & height (non‑DR properties)	Table sets where 7‑ft vs 3‑ft fences allowed (front, side, rear), visibility triangles prohibited; design review required in many zones	§ 19.48.030 and Chapter 19.48
Fences/material restrictions & public‑facing fences	Prohibited materials list; permitted materials and natural color reflectivity limits; public‑facing fence landscaping required	§ 19.48.040 / § 19.48.050
Parking lot interior landscaping, trees, and buffers	Interior landscaping % by lot size (5%–10%); one tree per ~5 stalls; 3‑ft planter strips and 10‑ft perimeter buffer from streets	Table 19.124.040(N)(1) / 19.124.040
Screening between commercial/industrial and residential	Fences and planting to provide acoustical isolation and visual privacy as required by reviewer; Planning Commission may require screening in BA/BQ/T	§ 19.48.020; § 19.76.060

Checklist (what an applicant should prepare for a landscaping/screening submittal)

A full landscape plan prepared to the standards required by the City (Chapter 14.15) and the applicable zone (e.g., § 19.28.120 for single‑family two‑story projects).
Privacy planting plan (species, caliper/box size, canopy spread, planter widths) when the project adds second‑story windows/decks — meet § 19.28.120 (3‑yr screen expectation; 3‑ft minimum planter).
Front‑yard tree shown (24" box min. or as required in § 19.28.120) or arborist report if using existing protected tree.
Fence/wall elevations and materials called out, demonstrating compliance with Chapter 19.48 (locations, heights, and prohibited materials).
Parking‑lot landscaping calculations (interior % and tree counts), planter cross‑sections, and bio‑swale/permeable‑surface details when applicable per § 19.124.040.
Maintenance, replacement and covenant language for required trees/privacy planting (recordation is required before final building inspection where applicable).
If the project is in a non‑residential to residential adjacency, provide noise/screening details demonstrating acoustic/visual screening per § 19.48.020 and § 19.76.060.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Reliance on Chapter 14.15 (Landscape Ordinance) for species/irrigation specifics	Title 19 defers technical planting, irrigation, and water‑budget rules to Chapter 14.15 — missing details could derail approvals if not met	Confirm Chapter 14.15 details (not fully reproduced in the retrieved files) and submit plans that explicitly meet it. Not found in retrieved materials; verify with the City.
Exact fence allowance at a corner triangle	Visual/sight triangle prohibitions and differing allowed heights (3 ft vs 7 ft) depend on lot type and whether design review is required	Confirm which fence table row applies to your lot (see § 19.48.030 and Appendix A visuals) and whether design review is triggered under § 19.12.020.
“25‑ft landscaping” buffer wording across tables	Multiple zone tables reference the 25‑ft landscape strip adjacent to residential — applicability and exceptions vary by district and plan	Verify which zone table applies to your parcel (see the development standard table for the applicable zone) and whether part of the 25 ft is available for driveway access.
Privacy planting specification vs. existing mature trees	The code allows an arborist to qualify existing trees as privacy mitigation — but the Director may require replacement or covenant	Provide an ISA report early and get Director approval in writing; the code requires covenants for required front/privacy trees prior to final inspection. § 19.28.120; covenant requirement cited.
Wildland‑Urban Interface/Fire requirements (WUIFA)	Landscaping and plant choice may be constrained by WUI/fire rules (non‑combustible materials, defensible space)	Confirm WUI requirements and any local amendments referenced by Title 19 (WUI references are present but implementation details live in fire code/Title 14 or local fire standards). Not fully reproduced in retrieved materials; verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain‑English summary

Cupertino’s zoning rules require planting plans, front‑yard trees, privacy planting for second‑story projects, and specific fence design/material rules; parking lots and commercial sites have their own landscaping and buffer rules. The controlling provisions are in Title 19 (notably § 19.28.120, Chapter 19.48, and parking/landscape tables such as Table 19.28.060 and Table 19.124.040), and many requirements defer to the City’s Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 14.15). Always submit planting plans showing species, sizes, planter dimensions (3‑ft minimum for privacy), and a maintenance/recorded covenant when required.

Source References

§ 19.168.010 (Purpose — architectural/site review, including landscaping emphasis).
§ 19.168.030 (Design/approval findings referencing location, height and materials of walls, fencing, hedges and screen planting).
Table 19.28.060 / § 19.28.060 (Site development regulations — R‑1 tables; front yard landscaping 50% requirement listed).
§ 19.28.120 (Landscape Requirements — privacy planting, front yard tree sizing/placement, screening expectations).
Chapter 19.48 and § 19.48.030 (Fences — fence location and height rules; permitted/prohibited materials in § 19.48.040).
§ 19.76.060 (Site development regulations for BA/BQ/T zones — authority to require screening for noise/glare/emissions).
Table 19.124.040 (N)(1) / § 19.124.040 (Parking lot interior landscaping %, tree counts, planter widths).
§ 19.12.020 (Development review applicability — when landscaping/fence/planting changes trigger review).

If you want the exact text of the Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 14.15) or the City’s privacy planting handout/checklist, request those specific files or ask me to retrieve the city handout and I will point to the exact planting species/spec sheets that the Planning Division currently accepts. Not all Chapter 14.15 details were reproduced in the provided materials. Not found in retrieved materials.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Cupertino Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (Chapter 14.15) High relevance
CWUIC § 500 (Chapter 14.15) High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (section 65583.2) High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (section 65583.2) High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (§ 7) High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (Chapter 19.60.) High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (Chapter 14.15) High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (Chapter 14.15) Medium relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (Section 19.28.040) Medium relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
Cupertino Zoning Code (Section 19.28.040) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Cupertino code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a landscape plan for an R‑1 addition in Cupertino?

Yes — single‑family projects and many additions must include landscape plans that comply with Chapter 14.15 and the single‑family standards in § 19.28.120; two‑story additions that increase privacy impacts specifically require a planting plan showing species, sizes, and locations.

What are the planter and tree size requirements for privacy planting?

Privacy planting rules require trees/shrubs sized and placed to screen second‑story views within three years; the ordinance sets a minimum planter width of 3 feet and lists species/planting sizes in the City’s planting list under § 19.28.120.

Where do fence height and material rules live, and when is design review needed?

Fence rules are in Chapter 19.48 (see § 19.48.030 for location/height tables and § 19.48.040 for prohibited/allowed materials). Design Review is required in many zones for fence/wall plans; see Development Review applicability in § 19.12.020 to determine if your project needs design review.

Do parking lots have required landscaping?

Yes — parking lots must meet interior landscaping percentages and tree/planter standards (Table 19.124.040(N)(1)). Standards include 5%–10% interior landscaping by facility size, one tree per roughly five stalls (subject to canopy rules), 3‑ft planter strips, and perimeter buffers.

If my commercial site borders homes, how much buffer is required?

Several zone tables require that where a site adjoins a residential zone a portion of the setback area (commonly the first 25 feet) be used for landscaping/planting/screening; the Planning Commission or decision authority may also require additional screening to control noise, glare, and emissions (see § 19.76.060 and the development tables). Verify the exact buffer requirement for your zone in the applicable site development table.

Can existing mature trees count toward front‑yard or privacy tree requirements?

Possibly — the Director may accept an Internationally Certified Arborist’s report certifying that an existing mature tree meets the required screening characteristics; if accepted, the City typically requires a recorded covenant to preserve the tree. See § 19.28.120 and the covenant/maintenance rules.

Are there prohibited fence materials visible from the public way?

Yes — barbed wire, razor wire, chicken wire, certain uncoated chain link, fabric membranes, and similar materials are listed as prohibited; public‑facing fences must use allowed materials (wood, metal, masonry, engineered plastic, etc.) and natural/earth‑tone colors per § 19.48.040.

What happens if required privacy planting dies or is removed?

Required planting must be maintained; if removed or it dies, replacement is generally required within 30 days with similar‑sized trees unless the Director determines replacement is infeasible. This maintenance/replacement requirement is described in the privacy planting provisions.

Does the City require bio‑swales or permeable paving in parking lot landscaping?

The parking/landscape rules encourage and require stormwater‑beneficial measures where parking is new or extensively altered; the parking/landscape guidelines reference bio‑swales, permeable surfaces and under‑drain design standards in Table 19.124.040 and related entries.

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