Davis — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains what the City of Davis zoning code requires for landscaping and screening (plants, fences, walls, mechanical screening, parking-lot planting, and related site planting/maintenance). Key rules live in the Davis Zoning Code: § 40.14.040 (Landscaping), § 40.14.030 (Screening), parking/parking‑lot landscaping tables, and multiple zone-specific standards; see the director's design‑review role for how plans are checked.

Note: links below point to Davis topic pages you will likely consult during a submittal: see parking, setbacks / development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) in the city menu.

• parking: Davis Parking
• development standards / setbacks: Davis Development Standards
• design review: Davis Design Review
• overlay districts: Davis Overlay Districts
• ADUs: Davis ADUs
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24): California Building Standards Code

Key code rules (decision‑relevant table)

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the Davis districts where the zoning text spells out distinct landscaping/screening requirements. Each subsection lists the purpose, typical uses, key dimensional/landscape requirements and where it commonly applies.

R-1 (Residential one‑family) — § 40.03.060

• Purpose / uses: Single‑family homes and accessory uses; protects residential character. | § 40.03.060
• Key dimensional standards (selected): Lot area and width vary by subzone (R‑1‑15, R‑1‑8, R‑1‑6); front yard setbacks typically 20–25 ft depending on subzone; side and rear setbacks, lot coverage and FAR rules apply per § 40.03.060. | § 40.03.060
• Landscaping/screening notes: Single‑family projects are generally treated differently in design review (see director exemptions) but fences, courtyard walls, accessory‑structure screening and setbacks remain regulated; small accessory structures must be screened from public view if >120 sf. | § 40.31.040 and accessory rules
• Where it applies: Standard residential neighborhoods across Davis; consult the zoning map for parcel designation. Verify with the city for overlay exceptions (Old North Davis alley rules etc.). | See § 40.03.060 and overlay articles.

R-2 (Residential one‑ and two‑family) — Article 40.04

• Purpose / uses: One‑ and two‑family dwellings, duplexes. | See Article 40.04
• Key standards: Yard/setback and accessory structure rules similar to R‑1 with specific differences; accessory structures/trellises/play structures have set projection rules. | See Article 40.04 and accessory rules 40.26.010(c).
• Landscaping/screening notes: Same citywide landscape plan obligation where site development review is required; fence heights and triangular sight‑line rules apply. | § 40.14.040(c) and § 40.27.060 for sight triangles.

A‑C (Airport/Commercial) — § 40.16.060

• Purpose / uses: Automobile dealerships and larger commercial uses. | § 40.16.050–.060
• Key landscaping rules: Minimum 10% of site landscape area in A‑C; street frontage landscapes (10 ft strip for dealerships); plant material size minimums (trees 15‑gal, shrubs 5‑gal); permanent underground irrigation required. | § 40.16.060(a–b)

C‑S (Service Commercial) — § 40.17.070

• Purpose / uses: Service commercial sites often adjacent to residential or arterial roads. | § 40.17.070
• Key landscaping rules: Landscaping/screening as per § 40.26.250 reference, but C‑S specifically requires minimum 10% site landscaping (20% encouraged) and a 15‑ft landscape/tree setback along freeways adjacent to I‑80/SH‑113. | § 40.17.070(b–c)

CMU (Commercial Mixed‑Use) — § 40.18.070(c)

• Purpose / uses: Mixed commercial uses near freeway interchanges (auto sales, repair, commercial recreation). | § 40.18.010
• Key landscaping rules: Minimum 10% landscaped site area (20% encouraged); row of trees along site property lines as determined by director; plant sizes (trees 15‑gal, shrubs 5‑gal). | § 40.18.070(c)

CR (Community Retail) — § 40.18A.070

• Purpose / uses: Larger retail/commercial centers. | § 40.18A.010 et seq.
• Key landscaping rules: Landscaping and screening must comply with § 40.26.250 and the downtown parking/landscape rules as applicable; setbacks differ when abutting R‑1/R‑2 (side/rear ≥ 20 ft). | § 40.18A.060–.070

Downtown (Articles 40.13 / 40.14) — § 40.14.030 / § 40.14.040

• Purpose / uses: Walkable downtown form; landscaping is tailored to frontage type and civic‑space rules. | Articles 40.13 & 40.14
• Standards to watch: Downtown uses the encroachment/frontage rules for fences and landscaping (see § 40.14.090 encroachments and Table 40.14.050.C for parking landscaping). Landscaping is mandatory on projects requiring site plan or design review. | § 40.14.030, § 40.14.040, Table 40.14.050.C

Practical guidance / how the rules are applied

• Prepare a full landscape plan whenever your project triggers site plan, building permit plan check, or a landscape permit. The plan must show existing trees (DBH), proposed plant sizes, irrigation, and shading growth estimates for parking lots. § 40.14.040(c–d) and the director's review authority under § 40.31.040 govern submittal content and review.
• Parking‑lot applicants must follow Table 40.14.050.C for percent landscaping, planter widths, tree counts/specs, and shade targets (50% shade within 15 years is an option). If you install solar canopies that provide shade, some tree requirements may be waived but shrub/groundcover rules still apply.
• When parking or service yards abut residential zones, provide a 6‑ft solid wall/fence or evergreen screen; director may approve alternatives. § 40.25.060(f) and Table 40.14.050.C apply.
• Fences and free‑standing walls: front yard street‑facing fences are limited (typically 3 ft max in frontages); side/rear fences are higher (up to 8 ft in many contexts, with 4 ft max when adjacent to alleys/other ROWs); see the encroachment/frontage rules and § 40.14.090. Traffic‑safety sight triangles near driveways are strictly enforced and reviewed by the traffic engineer.
• Mechanical screening: roof or ground equipment must be concealed architecturally (parapet or opaque walls matching the building); height of screen must match equipment height and comply with setback/encroachment rules. § 40.14.040(f).

Checklist

• Submit a landscape design plan showing existing trees/drip lines, proposed species and sizes, irrigation, and planting/maintenance notes — § 40.14.040(c).
• For parking lots, meet Table 40.14.050.C percentages and tree counts (min 15‑gal trees; required shade specs) — Table 40.14.050.C.
• Provide screening where required: 6‑ft wall/fence/evergreen between parking and R districts; mechanical equipment screened to equipment height — § 40.25.060(f) and § 40.14.040(f).
• Ensure fence/wall heights meet frontage/encroachment limits (front 3 ft, side/rear 8 ft/special alley rules) and sight‑triangle clearance — § 40.14.090 and § 40.27.060.
• Do not use barbed wire, razor wire or chain link as screening; temporary fencing limited to construction/events and ≤ 6 ft — § 40.14.040(g–h).
• If proposing courtyard walls, note the 5‑ft max height for unroofed courtyards and the 10‑ft setback from front property line; director approval required for courtyard design exceptions — § 40.14.030(d)(1).
• Expect director/design‑review review of all landscape/screening on non‑single‑family projects — § 40.31.040.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

In Davis you must submit a landscape plan for most developments; the city requires living plantings (not just rock), minimum landscaped area percentages for many commercial and parking situations, specific tree sizes/spacing, and screening (including 6‑ft walls between parking and homes). Fences and walls have different height rules depending on whether they face the street or interior lot lines, mechanical equipment and parking must be screened, and the director has review authority for landscape and screening details. Key rules are in § 40.14.040, § 40.14.030, Table 40.14.050.C, and the zone chapters.

Source References

• § 40.14.040 — Landscaping (purpose, required materials, plan requirement, mechanical screening, temporary fencing, barbed/razor wire prohibition)
• § 40.14.030 — Screening (screening purpose, measurement, retaining wall + screen height, courtyard rules)
• Table 40.14.050.C & § 40.14.050 — Required Parking Lot Landscaping (percentages, tree counts, planter widths)
• § 40.25.060 — Development and maintenance of parking areas (screening at front yard line, 6‑ft fence where parking adjoins residential, urban heat island options)
• § 40.31.040 — Functions of the director (design review) including Landscaping, fencing, and screening)
• § 40.03.060 — R‑1 area, lot width, yard and open space requirements (R‑1 setbacks, lot sizes, coverage)
• § 40.17.070 — C‑S Special Conditions (min 10% landscaping, freeway buffer)
• § 40.16.060 — A‑C Landscaping (10% min, 10‑ft street strip for dealerships)
• § 40.18.070 — CMU Special Conditions (10% min; trees along property lines)
• § 40.18A.070 — CR Landscaping references
• Encroachment / frontage rules including fence heights — § 40.14.090 (encroachments)
• Minor modifications / fence height exceptions — § 40.27.080 (director minor modifications, up to 10% relaxations)

(If you want links to the ordinance on the City's site, request and I’ll fetch the live URLs; the above citations are to the uploaded Davis Zoning Code text snippets used to prepare this page.)

Retrieved passages

• Davis Zoning Code (section or) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 14.6) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 40.14.030.) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 40.14.030.) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 18.6) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (Section 40.18.010) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (Section 40.27.060) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 40.31.040.) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 20.6) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 17.4) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 20.4) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 40.25.060.) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (Article 40.42) Medium relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (Article 40.25A.) Medium relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (Article 40.42) High relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (section or) Medium relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (section of) Medium relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 40.09A.090.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 1 (article is) Medium relevance show source text
• Davis Zoning Code (§ 40.03.060.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 40.14.040 — Landscaping** (purpose, required materials, plan requirement, mechanical screening, temporary fencing, barbed/razor wire prohibition) (§ 40.14.040)
• **§ 40.14.030 — Screening** (screening purpose, measurement, retaining wall + screen height, courtyard rules) (§ 40.14.030)
• **Table 40.14.050.C & § 40.14.050 — Required Parking Lot Landscaping** (percentages, tree counts, planter widths) (§ 40.14.050)
• **§ 40.25.060 — Development and maintenance of parking areas** (screening at front yard line, 6‑ft fence where parking adjoins residential, urban heat island options) (§ 40.25.060)
• **§ 40.31.040 — Functions of the director (design review) including Landscaping, fencing, and screening)** (§ 40.31.040)
• **§ 40.03.060 — R‑1 area, lot width, yard and open space requirements** (R‑1 setbacks, lot sizes, coverage) (§ 40.03.060)
• **§ 40.17.070 — C‑S Special Conditions (min 10% landscaping, freeway buffer)** (§ 40.17.070)
• **§ 40.16.060 — A‑C Landscaping (10% min, 10‑ft street strip for dealerships)** (§ 40.16.060)
• **§ 40.18.070 — CMU Special Conditions (10% min; trees along property lines)** (§ 40.18.070)
• **§ 40.18A.070 — CR Landscaping references** (§ 40.18A.070)
• **Encroachment / frontage rules including fence heights — § 40.14.090 (encroachments)** (§ 40.14.090)
• **Minor modifications / fence height exceptions — § 40.27.080** (director minor modifications, up to 10% relaxations) (§ 40.27.080)
• Davis_ZoningCode.md

• Official Davis code library