Local zoning · Danville

Danville — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Town of Danville’s planning and zoning ordinance actually requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls, and trees. It pulls the controlling local code citations (chapter and §’s) so applicants and reviewers can see the rules that most commonly affect visual screening, tree preservation and required on‑site landscaping. Where the ordinance text was not present in the materials provided, the entry notes that fact and tells you what to verify with the Town. See also the Town’s development and district pages for related review processes: Danville Zoning, Danville Development Standards, and practical items like Danville Parking.

Note: this is focused on Danville planning/zoning requirements only — building code (Title 24) issues are separate and are referenced where the ordinance names them; verify building-code compliance via the California Building Standards Code.

What the Danville ordinance requires (core rules)

  • Tree protection, a formal tree removal permit procedure, and replacement/mitigation rules are codified in § 32-79.1 – § 32-79.13 (the Town’s Tree Preservation chapter). The ordinance explains purpose and intent, defines protected trees, requires permits for removing them, sets application/decision rules, and establishes replacement ratios and timing for replanting.

  • A named chapter for water‑efficient landscape and irrigation standards exists as § 32-80 but the detailed standard text was not present in the retrieved materials. Verify the full text of § 32-80 with the Planning Division.

  • Screening/landscaping is required for particular uses and equipment:

    • Satellite and microwave antennas must be screened with landscaping or solid screening where visible; hillside antennas require additional screening. See § 32-130.4 and § 32-130.5. The Code also sets setbacks, height limits and other locational controls for these devices.
    • Outdoor storage and refuse collection areas (industrial/commercial) must be enclosed and screened so they are not visible from access streets and adjacent properties. (See the site design requirements index entry in the district development standards where that rule applies.)
    • On‑site public parking areas adjacent to residential zones require a minimum six (6) foot high solid fence or masonry wall acceptable to the Chief of Planning to separate parking from residentially zoned property.

  • Downtown business areas have an explicit set of development and landscaping standards under the Downtown Business District (index entry 32-45.23 — Landscaping Development Standards), so downtown projects must follow those specific standards and any related design review. The Downtown index confirms the existence of a landscaping section; retrieve § 32-45.23 text for the specifics.

District-by-district practical breakdown (where zoning language references landscaping/screening)

Below are Danville district headings taken directly from the ordinance index with the landscaping/screening requirements that are explicitly cited in the code excerpts we retrieved. For many districts the ordinance organizes development standards in separate subsections; if the specific landscaping standard text for a district is not present in the retrieved materials the entry notes that and points you to what to verify.

  • Single Family Residential Districts — § 32-22 (Single family zoning categories)
    Purpose / typical uses: single‑family residences and accessory uses; the ordinance treats tree protection as townwide and applies tree permit rules to trees on single‑family lots. The tree removal permit requirement and protected‑tree definitions apply across private property types including single‑family lots. For tree removal, see § 32-79.5 (permit required) and the protected species list § 32-79.4.
    Key landscaping/screening rules present in retrieved materials: tree removal permit procedures, replacement ratios and timing; owner responsibility to maintain trees adjacent to the right-of-way. For dimensional development standards (setbacks, lot coverage, exact front-yard planting strips) the district text is not fully present here — Verify with the Town and consult Danville Development Standards. Not found in retrieved materials for specific front/side yard planting minima.

  • D-1 Two‑Family and Multifamily Districts — §§ 32-23 — 32-29 (M‑30, M‑25, M‑20, M‑13, M‑8, M‑35)
    Purpose / typical uses: duplexes and multi‑family housing. Tree preservation rules (Chapter 32‑79) apply to protected trees on these parcels and any multi‑family development is subject to the Town’s tree protection and replacement rules. Where landscaping functions as privacy or screening between zones, the Planning Division may impose planting or screening conditions under the project approval process. See § 32-79.7 (decision criteria).

  • Downtown Business District — § 32‑45
    Purpose / typical uses: commercial, retail, restaurants, pedestrian‑oriented uses in Downtown. The Downtown code contains a dedicated Landscaping Development Standards subsection (§ 32‑45.23) and related site design/architectural provisions; for example, outdoor seating must be contained and reviewed. Projects in the Downtown Business District must follow those landscaping standards and applicable development plan procedures. Retrieve § 32‑45.23 for the detailed planting, tree and planter standards that affect screening and street trees.

  • R‑B Retail Business — § 32‑60 and C General Commercial — § 32‑61
    Purpose / typical uses: retail, commercial and service uses. Rules requiring screening of outdoor storage, parking edge treatments, and screening of mechanical/electrical equipment (e.g., antenna screening in non‑residential districts) are applied in commercial districts; see the site‑design and antenna rules. The ordinance requires that outdoor storage/refuse and mechanical equipment be screened from streets and adjacent properties.

  • L‑I Light Industrial — § 32‑62
    Purpose / typical uses: light industrial and limited manufacturing. Site design rules require screening and enclosure of outdoor storage and refuse areas so they are not visible from access streets and adjacent properties. Verify whether the district has a plant‑palette or minimum planting strip widths in its development standards; those details were not in retrieved text.

  • P‑1 Planned Unit District — § 32‑63
    Purpose / typical uses: master‑planned residential/commercial developments subject to a specific site plan. Landscaping/screening expectations are frequently set as conditions of approval for P‑1 projects; protected trees and tree protection during development rules apply to any P‑1 project. See tree protection during development § 32‑79.11.

  • Townwide/Other standards that affect landscaping and screening:

    • Tree Preservation — § 32‑79.1 – § 32‑79.13: applies across districts and supplies the primary rules on which trees are protected, how to apply for removal, replacement ratios and penalties.
    • Water Efficient Landscape — § 32‑80: a separate chapter exists and likely imposes irrigation and planting standards for new development; retrieve the full § text for project compliance.
    • Wireless/antenna standards — § 32‑130.2 – § 32‑130.6: require landscape or solid screening around antennas and towers and additional screening in hillside settings; they also identify limits on height and setbacks.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards (examples)

Topic What the ordinance requires (short) Code Reference
Protected trees (which species/counts) Native species list and size thresholds that make a tree “protected” (e.g., many oak species, sycamore, bay, etc.). § 32‑79.4
Tree removal permit requirement Permit required to remove any protected tree except limited exemptions; fee waiver conditions for defensible‑space removals are noted. § 32‑79.5
Replacement / mitigation ratios Replacement formula for major projects and for minor removals (e.g., 15‑gal trees per inches removed; two 15‑gal for ≥20" trees). § 32‑79.8
Planting timing Replacement trees to be planted within 60 days of project completion; proof due to Planning Division within 30 days of planting. § 32‑79.8 (timing)
Antenna & tower screening Landscaping or solid screening required around antennas/towers visible from streets or adjacent properties; extra screening on hillsides. § 32‑130.4 – § 32‑130.5
Parking adjacent to residential Minimum six (6) foot high solid fence or masonry wall required along the edge of any public parking area adjacent to residentially zoned property. § 32‑105 (parking standards)
Outdoor storage/refuse screening Enclose refuse and outdoor storage with self‑closing gates and screening so they’re not visible from access streets and adjacent properties. District site design rules (industrial/commercial); see site design subsection.
Downtown landscaping Downtown Business District contains a dedicated landscaping subsection § 32‑45.23 — retrieve for parking planters, street trees and hardscape/planting ratios. § 32‑45.23 (index)

Checklist

  • Determine whether the property contains a protected tree per § 32‑79.4; if yes, prepare a tree removal permit application.
  • If removing a protected tree, calculate replacement using § 32‑79.8 ratios and show planting locations on plans; include species or request Town‑approved species.
  • Include a planting/irrigation plan that demonstrates compliance with § 32‑80 water‑efficient landscape rules (retrieve full text of § 32‑80).
  • For antennas/towers, submit siting and screening plans per § 32‑130.4/32‑130.5; show landscape or solid screening and hillside mitigation if applicable.
  • For commercial/industrial projects include screening/enclosure details for outdoor storage and refuse collection per the district site design rules.
  • Show any 6‑ft parking edge walls or fences where public parking abuts residential property as required by parking standards.
  • If work occurs near protected trees during construction, include tree protection measures per § 32‑79.11 and the security/guarantee provisions § 32‑79.12.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Where § 32‑80 (Water‑Efficient Landscape) applies and its numeric thresholds Water‑efficiency rules often trigger at certain disturbed area thresholds and affect plant/irrigation design Retrieve the full text of § 32‑80 from Town records; confirm whether the project triggers the standard.
Downtown § 32‑45.23 details (planter sizes, street tree species) Downtown rules are district‑specific; applying general landscaping rules may miss downtown requirements Obtain full text of § 32‑45.23 and any area map that defines Downtown Business District Areas.
Applicability of parking‑edge fence (6‑ft) to private vs public parking The code requires a fence along "any public parking area adjacent to residentially zoned property"; meaning differs for private lots vs municipal parking Confirm whether the parking is considered "public" under the code and whether that triggers § 32‑105 requirements.
Exact district planting widths, setbacks and screening species lists Many district development standards set minimum planting strip widths or palette lists not included in retrieved excerpts Check the district development standards entries (e.g., 32‑60, 32‑61, 32‑62) or Danville Development Standards for numeric values.
Tree replacement location rules (on‑site vs off‑site mitigation fee) The Town can require on‑site replacement or accept a fee; parcel constraints or historic trees can change mitigation Confirm Chief of Planning discretion and off‑site mitigation fee calculation method in § 32‑79.8.

Plain‑English Summary

Danville protects significant trees and requires permits and replacement when you remove them; it requires screening (plants, walls or fences) for antennas, parking adjacent to homes, outdoor storage/refuse areas, and downtown projects — and has a separate water‑efficient landscaping chapter you must follow for new landscaping. Most rules are found in the Tree Preservation chapter § 32‑79 and in specific device/district rules such as § 32‑130 (antennas) and the Downtown chapter § 32‑45; consult the Planning Division when in doubt.

Source References

  • Danville Municipal Code — Tree Preservation: § 32‑79.1 – § 32‑79.13 (purpose, protected trees, permits, replacement, penalties).
  • Danville Municipal Code — Antennas / Wireless: § 32‑130.2 – § 32‑130.6 (screening, setbacks and equipment rules).
  • Danville Municipal Code — Parking & Development Standards (parking edge fence requirement and on‑site parking design standards). § 32‑105 and related parking standards.
  • Danville Municipal Code — Downtown Business District index (includes § 32‑45.23 Landscaping Development Standards).
  • Danville Municipal Code — Site design / outdoor storage and refuse screening (site design subsection for commercial/industrial districts).

Related GoCodebook pages referenced in this writeup:

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Danville Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§8-2004) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§8-2004) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§8-2004) Medium relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (section selection) Medium relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
  • Danville Zoning Code (ARTICLE VII) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What are Danville’s rules for removing a mature oak on my lot?

You must follow the tree removal permit process for protected trees defined in § 32‑79.4; a permit is required except for narrow exemptions, and the Planning Division evaluates removal under the criteria in § 32‑79.7. Replacement/mitigation ratios and timing for planting replacements are in § 32‑79.8.

Do I need to screen rooftop antennas or satellite dishes in Danville?

Yes — the wireless equipment rules require landscaping or solid screening around antennas that are visible from public streets, public areas or adjacent properties, and require additional screening in hillside areas; see § 32‑130.4 and § 32‑130.5 for siting, height and screening rules.

Is a fence required between a public parking lot and residential property?

Where a public parking area is adjacent to residentially zoned property, the Code requires a minimum six (6) foot high solid fence or masonry wall acceptable to the Chief of Planning along the parking edge. See the parking/development standards text referenced under the parking section.

Where do I find the Downtown landscaping standards for planter widths and street trees?

The Downtown Business District contains a specific Landscaping Development Standards subsection at § 32‑45.23; the ordinance index confirms this subsection, but you must retrieve the full text of § 32‑45.23 for the numerical planter, tree‑spacing and species requirements.

Does Danville require water‑efficient landscape plans for new plantings?

The Code includes a chapter titled § 32‑80 WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE AND IRRIGATION STANDARDS, indicating the Town has a water‑efficiency standard for landscapes; the detailed thresholds and submittal requirements were not included in the retrieved excerpts — verify the full text of § 32‑80 and any checklist with the Planning Division.

If construction might damage trees, what does the code require?

The Town requires tree protection during development; see § 32‑79.11 for tree protection during development and § 32‑79.12 for the security/guarantee to ensure tree health. The Chief of Planning can require monitoring and replacement/penalties if protected trees are damaged.

Can the Town require I plant replacement trees off‑site or pay a fee instead?

Yes. § 32‑79.8 allows the Town to accept off‑site mitigation or a mitigation fee when on‑site planting is not feasible; the ordinance gives the Chief of Planning discretion to determine plant location or accept a fee.

Are outdoor storage and trash enclosures required to be screened from the street?

Yes — the site design rules require outdoor storage and refuse collection areas to be enclosed with self‑closing and self‑latching gates and screened so they are not visible from access streets and adjacent properties. Check the site‑design subsection for the district in which your project sits for details.

What penalties apply if I remove a protected tree without a permit?

The Code provides criminal and civil penalties in § 32‑79.13; civil penalties can be up to three times the tree’s value (calculated using an industry guide), and other remedies like replacement and stop‑work may be applied.

If my project is in a hillside or ridgeline area are additional screening rules triggered?

Yes — the code calls for additional landscape screening for antennas in hillside areas and contains a Scenic Hillside / Major Ridgeline development chapter that is used to evaluate visibility impacts; check the hillside/ridgeline sections and any Town‑identified ridgeline maps. Verify specific hillside screening requirements in the scenic hillside rules.

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