Local zoning · Dinuba

Dinuba — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What fence height can I build along my backyard property line?

For most residential lots the zoning rules allow up to 6 feet in height in side and rear yards; front/street side portions of fences in front yards are generally limited to an open style and about 42 inches high. These limits are stated in the fences/walls rules (see § 17.71.090 ). Verify corner and grade exceptions that can change the measured height.

Q: How many trees do I need for a new shopping center parking lot?

The zoning requires one medium‑sized tree per every two parking spaces for commercial and industrial parcels (two small trees count as one medium). In addition, parking areas must be landscaped and broken up by planting islands and shade trees as described in § 17.71.130 ; coordinate layout with the Dinuba Parking standards.

Q: Can I use a chain‑link fence in the front yard?

Chain‑link fences above 3 feet may be allowed in a portion of the required front yard per the code’s exception, but the front/street side part of a fence is usually required to be at least 50% open and limited to about 42 inches ; confirm the district and corner lot rules and whether the chain‑link would be acceptable given visibility/sight‑triangle considerations ( § 17.71.090 ).

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Dinuba Municipal Code (Title 17 Zoning) requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls/hedges, and trees. It is drawn from the City’s zoning chapters that control residential, commercial, industrial and overlay areas — especially § 17.71.130 (landscaping rules) and the district-specific screening rules in the C, PO, M and R chapters. Verify project‑specific application with the Planning Division; parcel-level exceptions and discretionary approvals can change the outcome. For the city’s zoning map and district definitions see the Dinuba Zoning & planning overview and Dinuba Zoning pages.

How the code is organized (short)

The primary landscaping rules live in § 17.71.130 (design, installation, irrigation, maintenance and plan submittal).
District chapters (for example C‑1, C‑2, C‑3, C‑4, PO, M‑1, M‑2, RM, R) add screening and fence/wall specifics; mobile home parks and overlays add further requirements. See the district sub‑sections below for district‑by‑district detail.

Note: This page stays inside land‑use (zoning) requirements. For building code / Title 24 construction standards, see the California Building Standards Code. /us/california/building-codes

District‑by‑district breakdown

(Note: each district name below is bolded and followed by the short statutory purpose and the screening/landscaping highlights pulled from the zoning text. Where the code requires further site plan or director discretion we call that out and cite the controlling §.)

R (single‑family residential districts — e.g., R-1-6, R-1-7.5, R-1-10)

Purpose / typical uses: single‑family dwellings; accessory structures; secondary residential units (subject to separate rules).
Landscaping obligations: All uses in the R district must install landscaping in the required front yard (irrigation, plants and groundcover) within six months of occupancy. § 17.20.130 requires front‑yard landscaping and irrigation.
Fences/walls: Corner/side/front fence height rules and open‑fence requirement in front yards are regulated under the special provisions for walls/fences (see § 17.71.090). Typical limits: front/street‑side portions of fences in front yards must be at least 50% open and generally not exceed 42 inches; side and rear fences may be up to 6 feet (with special garage/carport exceptions). Verify the exact yard application on corner/reverse corner lots.
Where applied: single‑family neighborhoods per the zoning map (verify district label — R‑1‑6 / R‑1‑7.5 / R‑1‑10).

RM (multifamily residential districts)

Purpose / typical uses: multifamily dwellings at specified densities (RM‑1.5, RM‑2, RM‑3).
Landscaping obligations: Multifamily developments require an approved landscape and irrigation plan (installation and automatic irrigation) and must meet minimum container sizes for plantings (trees normally 15‑gallon min., shrubs 5‑gallon, mass planting 1‑gallon), with groundcover coverage standards and retention/integration of mature trees. Plans must be submitted and may be approved by staff; appeal route provided. § 17.24.160 sets these standards.
Fences/walls: See § 17.24.040 for fences/walls rules applicable to RM; accessory and screening standards apply to internal layouts.

PO (professional office / office‑medical)

Purpose / typical uses: office, medical and similar low‑impact nonresidential uses.
Landscaping & yards: Yards adjacent to streets must be landscaped; yard depths and landscaping requirements are listed in § 17.32.060. Street trees may be required.
Fences/walls: PO follows the general fences/walls rules (refer § 17.71.090 and PO chapter cross‑references).

C districts (commercial: C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4)

Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood retail (C‑1), downtown core (C‑2), community shopping centers (C‑3), general commercial/auto service (C‑4).
Screening next to residential: Where a commercial site adjoins or is across a street/alley from a residential district, the code typically requires an ornamental solid wall or fence, six (6) feet minimum (except in required front yards) — see § 17.40.040, § 17.42.040, § 17.44.040, § 17.46.040.
Parking lot landscaping/shade: The general landscaping rules require trees for parking shading and parking areas to be screened from the public right‑of‑way; § 17.71.130 also states parking lot shading standards apply in PO and C districts (and certain overlays). Use the Dinuba Parking rules when calculating spaces/shade locations. /us/california/dinuba/parking

M‑1 (light industrial) and M‑2 (heavy industrial)

Purpose / typical uses: M‑1 for light industrial/warehousing; M‑2 for heavier industrial uses.
Screening where adjacent to non‑industrial/residential: Both districts require a solid wall or screen fence six (6) feet in height on property lines that adjoin non‑industrial or residential districts (except in required front yards). If unsightly outdoor operations face a residential district across a street or alley, screening (ornamental wall/fence not less than 6 feet) may be required by the Director. § 17.50.040 and § 17.52.040 cover these rules.
Open storage: Must be contained and screened so material is not visible above required walls.

Mobile Home Park (Chapter 17.70)

Landscaping & screening: Mobile home parks must provide permanent landscaped borders along street frontage and (where adjacent to streets) rear yards; ornamental screen wall/fencing six (6) feet along interior side and rear property lines; similar 6‑foot screen walls on street side yards. § 17.70(K) details these requirements.

BA (Business/Auto) overlay and other overlays

BA overlay: Yards abutting streets must be landscaped and maintained; yard widths are identified on the official map (numerals after “(BA)”), and no parking/storage is allowed within required landscaped yards. See § 17.63.020.
PA and other overlays: the landscaping/parking‑shade references note parking lot shading applies in PO and C districts "as well as the PA overlay district"; specific PA text was not retrieved in the materials provided — verify with the overlay chapter for precise PA standards.

Key decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Item	Requirement (decision‑relevant)	Code Reference
Front‑yard residential fence openness & max height	Front/street‑side fence/wall must be ≥50% open and generally ≤ 42 in.	§ 17.71.090
Side/rear fence height (residential)	Side and rear fences generally ≤ 6 ft	§ 17.71.090
Commercial/industrial screening adjacent to residential	Ornamental solid wall or fence, 6 ft min, except in required front yards; director may adjust	§ 17.40.040, § 17.42.040, § 17.44.040, § 17.46.040, § 17.50.040, § 17.52.040
Trees — residential	Minimum one medium‑sized tree per residential unit	§ 17.71.130 (Planting)
Trees — commercial/industrial parking	One medium‑sized tree per two parking spaces (two small trees = one medium)	§ 17.71.130 (Planting)
Landscape & irrigation plan contents	Plans required prior to building permit: plant list (common & botanical names), plant sizes (trees 15‑gal min), irrigation details (head type, pipe size, valves, backflow), grading where mounds shown	§ 17.71.130 and design‑review plan rules
Parking lot shading / screening	Parking lots must include planting areas and shade trees; PO and C districts and some overlays have explicit shading requirements (see code)	§ 17.71.130 and district chapters; consult Dinuba Parking for stall counts/layout /us/california/dinuba/parking

Practical guidance / plain‑English interpretation

If your project is nonresidential or a multifamily project (2+ units) you must attach a scaled landscape + irrigation plan that shows plant species, container sizes (trees 15‑gal min), irrigation head types and water supply sizing before a building permit will be issued. The City expects permanent automatic irrigation for nonresidential and multifamily projects. § 17.71.130 sets the contents and timing requirements.
When a commercial or industrial property touches or faces housing, expect to build a 6‑ft ornamental wall or equivalent evergreen hedge along the property line (except in required front yards). The Planning Director can require different screening if operations are visually disruptive. See the district screening rules (C and M chapters).
Residential front yards must be landscaped — and front yard fences are limited to an open style and roughly 42 inches for visibility/sight‑triangle reasons; side and rear fences can be 6 ft. There are special rules for corner or reversed‑corner lots and where grades differ between adjacent lots; the code uses the higher lot for fence height measurement.
Large parking areas are expected to be broken up with planting islands and shade trees, both for aesthetics and to meet the parking‑lot‑shading expectations included in the landscaping chapter; use the Dinuba Parking requirements when laying out stalls and calculating tree counts. /us/california/dinuba/parking
Maintenance is an ongoing obligation: landscaping must be watered, pruned and replaced as needed; owners are responsible for vegetation in the public right‑of‑way abutting their property. § 17.71.130 requires preservation and replacement of unhealthy plants.

Checklist (what an applicant must generally provide)

Confirm zoning district and whether an overlay or PUD applies (check the official map and Dinuba Zoning).
If nonresidential or multifamily (2+ units), prepare a scaled Landscape & Irrigation Plan showing species (common + botanical names), sizes (trees 15‑gal min, shrubs 5‑gal), plant locations, existing trees ≥6" trunk diameter to be retained, and a planting legend. § 17.71.130.
Provide a full irrigation plan: valve schedules, head types/coverage, backflow prevention, meter & flow data. § 17.71.130.
Demonstrate fence/wall details that meet district height rules (front/street side open/≤42 in, side/rear ≤6 ft) and note any chain‑link/front yard exceptions. § 17.71.090.
Show screening for service areas (trash, loading, utility equipment) — densest planting or walls per the site plan guidance. § 17.71.130 and chapter design standards.
Parking calculations and planting islands that meet the one tree per two parking spaces rule (commercial/industrial). Cross‑check with Dinuba Parking.
Street tree coordination (City street tree master plan) and maintenance plan — the code requires street trees to be installed per the master plan. § 17.71.130.
If you request deviations (reduced setbacks, taller fences, alternate screening), include those as part of the discretionary application or variance per the Dinuba Variances and Exceptions processes. /us/california/dinuba/variances-and-exceptions

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Director discretion on screening height/type	Many district sections say the Director "may require" different heights or types of screening — this can change wall/hedge requirements at plan check	Confirm with Planning staff and get any Director‑level determinations in writing; reference the specific district citation (e.g., § 17.40.040, § 17.50.040, etc.).
Corner / reversed‑corner lot exceptions	Fence and yard rules differ for corner and reversed corner lots; a garage/carport access can alter front‑yard fence height limits	Show lot configuration and call out corner/reverse corner status on plans; cite § 17.71.090 and the specific district yard rules.
Ground‑level differences between adjoining lots	Code measures fence height from the highest contiguous lot — this can effectively raise allowed fence height or create disputes	Verify existing grades and show proposed wall/fence sections; see § 17.71.090(C).
Overlay (PA) specifics for parking shade	The landscaping chapter references PA overlay shading requirements but the PA chapter text was not retrieved here	Confirm PA overlay text in the official overlay chapter or with Planning; see § 17.71.130 reference to PA overlay.
Applicability to ADUs / secondary units	The code references "secondary residential units" in Chapter 17.70 but local ADU law and state ADU rules may diverge	For screening/fence rules apply the underlying district; verify ADU procedure and whether ministerial/ministerial exemptions apply. See 17.70 and verify with Planning.

Plain‑English summary

Dinuba’s zoning requires front‑yard landscaping for almost every residential lot and detailed landscape + irrigation plans for multifamily and most nonresidential projects; when commercial, industrial or mobile‑home sites touch housing you’ll typically need a 6‑foot ornamental wall or dense evergreen screening, and front/street fences in residential areas must be mostly open and kept low for safety (about 42 inches). Always submit a scaled planting and irrigation plan; the Planning Director has discretion on exact screening types and some overlay districts impose additional rules.

Source References

Dinuba Zoning Ordinance — Title 17: Special Provisions and Development Standards (Landscaping chapter) § 17.71.130 (landscaping: irrigation, plan contents, trees, maintenance)
Dinuba Zoning Ordinance — § 17.71.090 (Fences, walls and hedges; corner lot rules; measurement across grade differences)
Chapter 17.20 — R districts (front‑yard landscaping requirement; setbacks and yard rules) § 17.20.130
Chapter 17.24 — RM multifamily (landscaping minimums, container sizes, irrigation) § 17.24.160
Chapter 17.32 — PO district (yard & fence cross‑reference to § 17.71) § 17.32.040–070
Chapters 17.40 / 17.42 / 17.44 / 17.46 — C‑districts (screening where adjacent to residential — 6 ft minimum wall/fence) § 17.40.040, § 17.42.040, § 17.44.040, § 17.46.040
Chapters 17.50 / 17.52 — M‑1 / M‑2 (industrial screening/wall requirements adjacent to nonindustrial districts) § 17.50.040, § 17.52.040
Chapter 17.70 — Mobile Home Parks (landscaping & 6‑ft ornamental screen walls) § 17.70(K)
Chapter 17.63 — BA overlay (landscaped yards along streets; prohibitions on parking/storage in required landscaped yards) § 17.63.020
City design/site review language (landscape plan process; “Landscape and Irrigation Plans Required” for nonresidential projects and new residential projects of 2+ units) — Design standards / development services requirements; referenced in the code’s design guidance chapter.

Internal references used in the guidance above:

Dinuba Zoning & planning overview: /us/california/dinuba
Dinuba Zoning: /us/california/dinuba/zoning
Dinuba Development Standards: /us/california/dinuba/development-standards
Dinuba Parking: /us/california/dinuba/parking
Dinuba Design Review: /us/california/dinuba/design-review
Dinuba Overlay Districts: /us/california/dinuba/overlay-districts
Dinuba ADUs: /us/california/dinuba/adu
California Building Standards Code (Title 24): /us/california/building-codes

Sources

Retrieved passages

Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.64) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.52) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.80.080) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.64) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.71) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.71) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.71) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (title requires) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.72) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.64) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.46) High relevance
Dinuba Zoning Code (Chapter 17.64) High relevance

Cited sections

Dinuba Zoning Ordinance — **Title 17: Special Provisions and Development Standards** (Landscaping chapter) **§ 17.71.130** (landscaping: irrigation, plan contents, trees, maintenance) (Title 17)
Dinuba Zoning Ordinance — **§ 17.71.090** (Fences, walls and hedges; corner lot rules; measurement across grade differences) (§ 17.71.090)
**Chapter 17.20 — R districts** (front‑yard landscaping requirement; setbacks and yard rules) **§ 17.20.130** (Chapter 17.20)
**Chapter 17.24 — RM multifamily** (landscaping minimums, container sizes, irrigation) **§ 17.24.160** (Chapter 17.24)
**Chapter 17.32 — PO district** (yard & fence cross‑reference to § 17.71) **§ 17.32.040–070** (Chapter 17.32)
**Chapters 17.40 / 17.42 / 17.44 / 17.46 — C‑districts** (screening where adjacent to residential — 6 ft minimum wall/fence) **§ 17.40.040**, **§ 17.42.040**, **§ 17.44.040**, **§ 17.46.040** (§ 17.40.040)
**Chapters 17.50 / 17.52 — M‑1 / M‑2** (industrial screening/wall requirements adjacent to nonindustrial districts) **§ 17.50.040**, **§ 17.52.040** (§ 17.50.040)
**Chapter 17.70 — Mobile Home Parks** (landscaping & 6‑ft ornamental screen walls) **§ 17.70(K)** (Chapter 17.70)
**Chapter 17.63 — BA overlay** (landscaped yards along streets; prohibitions on parking/storage in required landscaped yards) **§ 17.63.020** (Chapter 17.63)
City design/site review language (landscape plan process; “Landscape and Irrigation Plans Required” for nonresidential projects and new residential projects of 2+ units) — Design standards / development services requirements; referenced in the code’s design guidance chapter.
Dinuba Zoning & planning overview: /us/california/dinuba
Dinuba Zoning: /us/california/dinuba/zoning
Dinuba Development Standards: /us/california/dinuba/development-standards
Dinuba Parking: /us/california/dinuba/parking
Dinuba Design Review: /us/california/dinuba/design-review
Dinuba Overlay Districts: /us/california/dinuba/overlay-districts
Dinuba ADUs: /us/california/dinuba/adu
California Building Standards Code (Title 24): /us/california/building-codes (Title 24)
Dinuba_ZoningCode.md

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to submit a landscape plan for a single‑family house in Dinuba?

Yes — the code requires landscaping in the required front yard for R districts; for single‑family houses the front yard landscaping (plants, groundcover and irrigation) must be installed within six months of occupancy as required by § 17.20.130. If your project triggers a building permit and the City’s site plan process (or is part of a larger subdivision), a detailed landscape and irrigation plan may also be required per § 17.71.130.

What fence height can I build along my backyard property line?

For most residential lots the zoning rules allow up to 6 feet in height in side and rear yards; front/street side portions of fences in front yards are generally limited to an open style and about 42 inches high. These limits are stated in the fences/walls rules (see § 17.71.090). Verify corner and grade exceptions that can change the measured height.

If my commercial site touches a house, do I need to build a wall?

Yes — where a commercial or industrial site adjoins or is across a street/alley from a residential district the code generally requires an ornamental solid wall or fence six (6) feet minimum on the common property line (except in required front yards). This requirement is in the various C and M district chapters (e.g., § 17.40.040, § 17.46.040, § 17.50.040, § 17.52.040). The Planning Director can require a different screening type if appropriate.

How many trees do I need for a new shopping center parking lot?

The zoning requires one medium‑sized tree per every two parking spaces for commercial and industrial parcels (two small trees count as one medium). In addition, parking areas must be landscaped and broken up by planting islands and shade trees as described in § 17.71.130; coordinate layout with the Dinuba Parking standards.

What must be on my irrigation plan?

The code requires the irrigation plan to show the type of irrigation heads, pipe sizes, valve sizes, backflow valve and water supply size/source; automatic timed irrigation is required for commercial, industrial and multifamily uses. These requirements are in § 17.71.130.

Can I use a chain‑link fence in the front yard?

Chain‑link fences above 3 feet may be allowed in a portion of the required front yard per the code’s exception, but the front/street side part of a fence is usually required to be at least 50% open and limited to about 42 inches; confirm the district and corner lot rules and whether the chain‑link would be acceptable given visibility/sight‑triangle considerations (§ 17.71.090).

Are barbed wire or electrified fences allowed in residential zones?

No — the use of barbed wire, electrified fence or razor wire in conjunction with any fence, wall or hedge, or by itself within any residential zone, is prohibited unless required by law enforcement or another governmental regulation. See § 17.71.090(D).

Do overlay districts change landscaping requirements?

Some overlays (for example the BA overlay and references to the PA overlay) impose additional yard landscaping or parking‑shade expectations. The BA overlay explicitly requires landscaped yards abutting streets and prohibits parking/storage in those yards; check the overlay text on the official map and overlay chapter for applicability. § 17.63.020 covers BA overlay yard obligations.

If I build an ADU, do the same fence/landscape rules apply?

Yes — secondary residential units/ADUs follow the same fence, wall and yard rules as the underlying district; Chapter 17.70 and the ADU/secondary‑unit provisions cross‑reference the underlying district’s requirements for fences, yards, parking and setbacks. Verify ADU rules and any state ADU law implications; see 17.70 and the ADU page.

Who decides if alternate screening (hedge vs wall) is acceptable?

The Planning Director (or site plan reviewer) has discretion to require a particular type of screening or to approve alternatives; where the code says "or such other height or type of screening device as may be required by the director," that is the discretion language. If you expect a nonstandard approach, document it in your landscape plan and request a director determination or include it in a discretionary permit application. Check the design review/site plan procedures in the code and consult Dinuba Design Review. ---

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