Local zoning · Delano
Delano — Landscaping and Screening
Landscaping and Screening under the Delano local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
Overview
This page explains what the City of Delano requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls, and tree/irrigation standards in development applications. Key requirements live in the City Zoning/Development Title (not the state building code) — most of the landscaping rules are in § 20.10.390, screening rules in § 20.10.290, and fences/walls in § 20.10.90. Where design or site-plan review is required, the City may add conditions relating to landscaping and buffering under § 20.2.80 and § 20.2.65. For concurrent topics you will likely consult the City's pages on parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs and the California Building Standards Code where building code (Title 24) issues intersect (verify with the jurisdiction).
What the Delano code actually requires (synthesis)
Minimum landscaped area: All exterior areas not set aside for parking, storage, driveways, walkways or loading must be landscaped; a minimum of 5% of the gross lot area is required (§ 20.10.390).
Screening as functional requirement: commercial/industrial development that abuts residential must provide screening along the shared property line; outdoor storage and refuse areas must be screened with solid decorative walls or other materials meeting the code (§ 20.10.290).
Fence and wall heights and materials: in residential front or street-side yards, fences/walls may not exceed 40 inches; interior side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet; nonresidential front setbacks are limited to 40 inches but may allow up to 5 feet where most of the above-40" portion is open (e.g., wrought iron) (§ 20.10.90). Provisions also address exceptions (sidewalk grade differences), barbed wire limits and where higher screening walls (e.g., 6 ft masonry walls between commercial and residential) are required (§ 20.10.90; § 20.10.290).
Planting composition & establishment: at least 90% of non-turf plants must be drought-tolerant; plant material (excluding tree canopy) must cover 80% of landscaped area within five years; non-turf areas must have minimum 3-inch mulch (§ 20.10.390).
Street/front trees: planters with street frontage should provide one 15‑gallon tree per 20 feet of frontage; street trees must be sited at least 10 feet from driveways/sidewalks and placed so as not to obstruct sight distance; exact planting rules and exceptions are administered by the Community Development Director (§ 20.10.390; front yard tree-planting subsection).
Irrigation, equipment and certification: automatic controllers (with evapotranspiration or soil-moisture based scheduling), backflow prevention, rain/freeze override devices, flow sensors (required for non-residential and residential landscapes >5,000 sq ft), and a Certificate of Substantial Completion (signed by a licensed landscape professional) before final occupancy are required (§ 20.10.390).
Design review / site-plan authority: the Community Development Director and/or Planning Commission may require landscaping, buffers, fences, walls, and screening as conditions of design review or site-plan approval (§ 20.2.80, § 20.2.65) — expect these conditions on commercial, industrial, and multifamily projects.
District-by-district practical breakdown
The Delano Title divides the city into specific zone districts; landscaping/screening expectations are layered on top of district uses and standards (§ 20.1.110). Below are the districts most often affected by landscaping/screening requirements and the code cites you should check for parcel-level compliance. Bolded district names and standards below are taken from the local code text and Table references.
Notes: permitted uses and numeric development standards are found in the tables in Chapter 20 (e.g., Table 4.B for residential). Confirm exact parcel zoning on the Official Zoning Map and verify any site-specific overlays at the Community Development counter (§ 20.1.110).
R-A (Residential Agricultural)
- Purpose / typical uses: rural/large‑lot single‑family and agricultural uses; low density; landscaping intended to preserve rural/open character (Chapter 20.4).
- Key standards: large minimum lot area (see Table 4.B); street tree and subdivision landscaping required when land divisions are processed (§ 20.10.365 / Table 4.B).
R-1 (Single-Family Residential)
- Purpose / typical uses: detached single‑family homes; Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed per the ADU rules (§ 20.11.200) and therefore landscaping for ADU projects may be required during review. See the Delano ADU page for process context.
- Key dimensional standards (examples from Table 4.B): minimum lot area ~6,000 sq ft, minimum lot width ~60 ft (interior), minimum front setback ~15 ft (may vary for cul‑de‑sac or corner); required front and street-side yards for multi‑unit development must be landscaped and use drought‑tolerant plants (§ 20.4.20; Table 4.B; § 20.10.390).
R-2 / R-3 (Multi‑family Residential)
- Purpose / typical uses: duplexes, small/mid multi‑family with increased density allowances; projects of 4+ units must provide landscaped front / street‑side yards and will be subject to site plan review and design review (§ 20.4.20; § 20.2.65).
- Key standards: see Table 4.B for lot area/width/front setbacks; multi‑family developments must screen mechanicals, trash, and parking from public view and provide common open space landscaping (§ 20.10.390; § 20.2.80).
DC (Downtown Commercial), NC (Neighborhood Commercial), GC (General Commercial), CRC (Community Retail Commercial)
- Purpose / typical uses: retail, services, offices; projects must present pedestrian-friendly frontage and may be required to screen parking, loading and outside storage from the right of way or adjacent residential (§ 20.10.365; § 20.10.290).
- Key standards: screening when commercial/industrial abuts residential (masonry wall min 6 ft on commercial side, except where reduced at front/street-side to 40 in) and parking-lot landscaping/tree islands follow the landscape standards (§ 20.10.90; § 20.10.290; § 20.10.390).
I (Industrial)
- Purpose / typical uses: manufacturing, warehousing; outdoor storage must be screened on at least three sides by a solid opaque impact‑resistant wall not less than 5 ft in height (or other approved material), per the screening rules (§ 20.10.290). Larger screening/wall heights may be required when industrial uses abut residential (§ 20.10.90; § 20.10.290).
CF (Community Facilities), AP (Airport), PA (Park), PD (Planned Development), AH (Affordable Housing overlay)
- Purpose / typical uses: institutional/public uses, airport-related uses, parks and planned developments. CF and AP have their own special landscaping/park/buffering provisions (e.g., CF requires a landscaped buffer and may require two-foot berms between streets and parking depending on context); PD projects carry special landscaping in their approved plans (§ 20.3.20; § 20.3.21; § 20.1.110; PD chapter).
Quick-reference decision table
| Topic / Design trigger | Requirement (plain) | Code reference |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum landscaped area | 5% of gross lot area must be landscaped (areas not used for parking/driveways) | § 20.10.390 |
| Drought-tolerant planting | 90% of non‑turf plants must be well suited to the region | § 20.10.390 |
| Tree planting (street frontage) | 1 fifteen‑gallon tree per 20 ft of frontage; trees ≥10 ft from driveways/sidewalks | § 20.10.390 / front‑yard tree rules |
| Mulch & plant cover | 3 in mulch minimum; non‑tree plants to cover 80% of landscape area in five years | § 20.10.390 |
| Screening adjacent to residential | Commercial/industrial abutting residential must install screening; masonry wall min 6 ft (commercial side) | § 20.10.290; § 20.10.90 |
| Trash / storage screening | Outdoor storage/trash screened on 3 sides with solid decorative wall ≥ 5 ft (4th side gated) | § 20.10.290 |
| Fence/wall heights | Residential front/street side ≤ 40 in; interior/rear ≤ 6 ft; nonres front ≤ 40 in (can allow 5 ft where upper portion is open material) | § 20.10.90 |
| Irrigation & certification | Automatic controller with ET or soil sensor; backflow device; flow sensors on non-res or >5,000 sq ft; Certificate of Substantial Completion required | § 20.10.390 |
| Design/site-plan conditions | Community Development Director / Planning Commission can impose landscaping/screening conditions | § 20.2.80; § 20.2.65 |
Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (typical)
- Provide a landscape plan showing at least 5% landscaped area and hydrozones per § 20.10.390.
- Show street/front trees at 1 tree per 20 ft of frontage and verify 10 ft clearances.
- Show screening for trash, outdoor storage and parking areas (wall/gate details meeting § 20.10.290).
- Dimension all proposed fences/walls and confirm compliance with 40 in front limit / 6 ft rear limit (or show CUP/variance path).
- Include irrigation design meeting controller, sensor and backflow requirements and show flow sensors if required.
- Submit landscape and irrigation certification (Certificate of Substantial Completion) signed by licensed landscape professional before final occupancy.
- If the property is commercial/industrial abutting residential, include masonry wall details for the residential boundary or an equivalent screening solution per § 20.10.290.
- Be prepared for the Community Development Director or Planning Commission to add conditions (design review or site-plan findings) addressing additional buffers or berms (§ 20.2.80 / § 20.2.65).
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Fence/wall height vs. required screening | The code allows taller screening walls for sound/visual attenuation but front-yard limits remain strict — misinterpreting which side a wall faces can cause noncompliance | Confirm whether the wall is a screening wall between commercial and residential (may require 6 ft masonry on commercial side) or a front‑yard fence limited to 40 in (§ 20.10.90; § 20.10.290). |
| Exact numeric development standards for a parcel | Many district dimensions are in Table 4.B (e.g., lot area, width, setbacks); tables differ by district | Check the parcel’s zone and Table 4.B in Chapter 20.4 and confirm with the Official Zoning Map (§ 20.1.110; Table 4.B). Verify with the Community Development Director for corner/cul‑de‑sac exceptions. |
| Irrigation equipment scope | Flow sensors, master valves and ET/soil sensors are required in certain contexts; missing these triggers refusal of Certificate of Occupancy | Confirm whether the landscape area is subject to the non‑residential or >5,000 sq ft thresholds in § 20.10.390; include specified backflow, controller and sensor devices. |
| Trees and sight distance | Street tree placement can conflict with sight‑distance and driveway clearance rules | Show tree spacing and distances (≥10 ft from drives/sidewalks) and get Community Development Director sign‑off per the front‑yard tree rules. |
| Overlays and special districts | Overlays (Airport Approach, Affordable Housing, PD, etc.) may modify landscaping, buffering or tree rules | Check for overlays on the parcel via the Official Zoning Map and applicable overlay section; overlay standards may override base-district rules (§ 20.1.110). |
Plain-English summary
Delano requires a basic, water‑efficient landscape on most developments (at least 5% of the lot), drought‑tolerant plants, street trees (one per ~20 ft), irrigation controls and a signed landscape completion certificate; commercial/industrial uses next to homes must provide screening (often a 6‑ft masonry wall) and trash/storage must be screened (about 5 ft walls), while fences in front yards are limited to 40 inches unless design review or a variance permits otherwise (§ 20.10.390; § 20.10.290; § 20.10.90).
Source References
- Zoning districts list and how the City divides zones — § 20.1.110.
- Design review authority and conditions (may require landscaping, buffers, fences) — § 20.2.80.
- Site plan review applicability and conditions — § 20.2.65.
- Fence and wall rules (residential/nonresidential heights, barbed wire rules) — § 20.10.90.
- Screening requirements for commercial/industrial, storage and refuse — § 20.10.290.
- Landscape Development Standards, irrigation equipment, plant lists, certification and planting densities — § 20.10.390.
- Front yard tree planting and subdivision landscaping requirements — front yard tree planting subsection (Chapter 20.10 / subdivision rules). (Front‑yard tree rules referenced in Chapter 20.10).
- Residential district purposes and Table 4.B development standards (lot area, widths, setbacks) — Chapter 20.4 and Table 4.B.
Sources
Retrieved passages
- Delano Zoning Code (Title to) High relevance
- CEC § 1 (section 20.11.85) High relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
- CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Section 65594) High relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.10.90) High relevance
- Delano Zoning Code High relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.1.140) High relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.10) Medium relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.2.180) Medium relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Title by) Medium relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Chapter is) Medium relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.2.180) Medium relevance
- Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.2.80.6.f) Medium relevance
- CRC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
Cited sections
- Zoning districts list and how the City divides zones — **§ 20.1.110**. (§ 20.1.110)
- Design review authority and conditions (may require landscaping, buffers, fences) — **§ 20.2.80**. (§ 20.2.80)
- Site plan review applicability and conditions — **§ 20.2.65**. (§ 20.2.65)
- Fence and wall rules (residential/nonresidential heights, barbed wire rules) — **§ 20.10.90**. (§ 20.10.90)
- Screening requirements for commercial/industrial, storage and refuse — **§ 20.10.290**. (§ 20.10.290)
- Landscape Development Standards, irrigation equipment, plant lists, certification and planting densities — **§ 20.10.390**. (§ 20.10.390)
- Front yard tree planting and subdivision landscaping requirements — front yard tree planting subsection (Chapter 20.10 / subdivision rules). **(Front‑yard tree rules referenced in Chapter 20.10)**. (Chapter 20.10)
- Residential district purposes and Table 4.B development standards (lot area, widths, setbacks) — Chapter **20.4** and **Table 4.B**.
- Delano_ZoningCode.md
Frequently asked questions
What landscaping minimums does Delano require for a commercial site?
Delano requires that all exterior areas not used for parking, drives, storage or walkways be landscaped, with a minimum of 5% of the gross lot area dedicated to landscape (§ 20.10.390) .
Do I need a masonry wall when my commercial lot touches homes?
Yes — when commercial or industrial development abuts residential zones, the code requires screening; commonly that is a decorative masonry wall (commercial side) of minimum 6 ft height except in front/street-side yard areas where different limits apply (§ 20.10.290; § 20.10.90) .
How tall can my backyard fence be in Delano?
In residential zones the code allows fences/walls up to 6 ft in interior side or rear yards; in front or street-side yards the limit is 40 inches (§ 20.10.90) .
Are there irrigation / equipment standards I must meet?
Yes — Delano requires automatic controllers that use evapotranspiration or soil‑moisture inputs, backflow prevention, rain/freeze override devices, and flow sensors for nonresidential landscapes and residential landscapes over 5,000 sq ft; you must submit a Certificate of Substantial Completion before occupancy (§ 20.10.390) .
Will design review require additional buffering?
Yes. Under Delano’s design review and site plan review authority, the Community Development Director or the Planning Commission can impose conditions for buffers, screening, fences, or additional landscaping to make a project compatible with adjacent uses (§ 20.2.80; § 20.2.65) .
How many street trees do I have to plant at subdivision or parcel frontage?
The code generally requires one 15‑gallon tree per 20 feet of street frontage for land divisions and new frontages; trees must be chosen from the City’s approved street tree list and set back at least 10 ft from driveways/sidewalks (§ 20.10.365 / front‑yard tree planting rules) .
Where are the specific setback and lot-size numbers listed for R‑1 or R‑2 parcels?
Numeric lot area, width and setback standards are located in Chapter 20.4 and Table 4.B (Residential Site Development Standards). Example: R‑1 minimum lot area is roughly 6,000 sq ft and minimum lot width about 60 ft (check Table 4.B for interior vs. corner lot values) (§ 20.4.20; Table 4.B) .
Can I use a non‑plant screen (e.g., masonry wall + narrow planting) instead of a hedge?
Yes — the code accepts walls, berms, fences or plantings for buffer/screening as long as they meet the height, opacity and material standards required for the condition (the screening requirement and acceptable alternatives are discussed in § 20.10.290 and § 20.10.90). Verify specifics with the Community Development Director during review (§ 20.10.290; § 20.10.90) .
If my lot straddles two zones, which landscaping rules apply?
Where a lot is divided by a zoning boundary, the regulation applicable within each district applies to the portion of the lot within that district; the official zoning map and the Community Development Director determine boundaries and applicable standards (§ 20.1.110) .
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