Local zoning · Dublin

Dublin — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Dublin Municipal Code requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls/hedges, and tree protection in Dublin, California. The controlling rules live in Chapter 8.72 (Landscaping and Fencing Regulations) and are implemented together with parking and site-development standards elsewhere in Title 8; the City requires preliminary and final landscape plans for most non‑exempt projects and ties screening types to an inter‑use matrix (Table 72‑1). See the City’s rules on parking for parking-lot landscape minimums, design review for when landscape/screening get discretionary scrutiny, and the California Building Standards Code for separate building-safety requirements.

(Note: internal links above are to the local GoCodebook pages for the related topics.)

Key Dublin requirements (summary with code anchors)

  • Preliminary and Final landscaping plans are required where the Director or a permit condition demands; content and plan authorship thresholds are in § 8.72.020 and § 8.72.030.
  • Three screening types (Opaque Type A, Semi‑Opaque Type B, and Type C) are defined and required according to an inter‑use table called Table 72‑1; use the matrix to determine which type applies between a developing use and an adjacent use. § 8.72.030.B and Table 72‑1.
  • Fence/wall/hedge heights and measurement rules are in § 8.72.080 (separate numeric maxima for residential/agricultural vs commercial/industrial). Traffic Visibility Area (TVA) limits are strict (no obstructions over 30 inches in some places; TVA specific fence height limit is 2 ft 6 in).
  • Parking-lot landscaping minimums (15% of net area for larger lots; tree spacing, perimeter landscaping, and a required masonry wall where parking abuts residential) are in § 8.76.070. These standards are applied together with Chapter 8.72 screening.
  • Tree protections (retention of mature Bay, Cypress, Maple, Oak, Redwood, Sycamore over 24" DBH in non‑residential districts) and tree removal review triggers are in § 8.72.030.A.4 and § 8.72.060.
  • All landscaping must conform to the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations per § 8.72.070.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the main Dublin zoning districts and how Chapter 8.72 interacts with them. For district‑specific development standards (setbacks, lot coverage, FAR, specific uses) refer to the Dublin Zoning and Development Standards pages; verify parcel‑specific rules with the City.

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

  • Purpose / typical uses: R-1 is single‑family residential (standard detached homes).
  • Landscaping & screening role: Landscaping between the public right‑of‑way and the residence is required; small residential landscape work is often exempt from Site Development Review but must comply with the Chapter’s plan content and installation/maintenance standards where not exempt. § 8.72.030, § 8.72.040, § 8.104.020.D.
  • Fences/walls: Maximum heights in residential districts: front yard 4 ft; side/street side/rear 6 ft; traffic visibility area 2 ft 6 in; outside required yard 8 ft. Lattice extensions allowed (up to 8 ft total) in side/street/back yards under rules. § 8.72.080.
  • Where it applies: All R‑1 lots; small landscape replacements in R‑1 are generally exempt from Site Development Review (verify existing heritage tree rules). § 8.104.020.D.

R-2 (Two‑Family/Attached Residential)

  • Purpose / typical uses: R-2 allows duplexes and similar attached residential.
  • Landscaping & screening role: Similar to R-1; multi‑family projects with >5,000 sq ft of landscaping require registered landscape architect plans unless waived. § 8.72.030.A.11.
  • Fences/walls: Same residential height table applies; Site Development Review may be required for larger projects. § 8.72.080, § 8.104.

R‑M (Multi‑Family Residential)

  • Purpose / typical uses: R‑M covers apartment/multi‑family housing.
  • Landscaping & screening role: Multi‑family developments must meet the full Final Landscaping and Irrigation Plan requirements, automatic irrigation, 100% groundcover within three years, and tree spacing rules for parking. § 8.72.030.A.6, A.10; § 8.76.070.A.12.d.
  • Fences/walls: Treated as residential where they abut residential lots, but project perimeter walls/architectural treatments are required; discretionary Site Development Review can permit taller walls (up to 12 ft). § 8.72.080.

C-2 (General Commercial) and other Commercial districts

  • Purpose / typical uses: C-2 and other commercial districts host retail, service, and commercial buildings.
  • Landscaping & screening role: Commercial projects must provide perimeter and streetscape planting; when parking adjoins a public right‑of‑way a permanently irrigated perimeter landscaping strip is required and cannot exceed 50% of the 15% parking-lot landscape minimum. § 8.76.070.A.12 & A.19; screening must meet the Table 72‑1 requirement.
  • Fences/walls: Commercial fence/wall maxima: front yard 4 ft; side/street side/rear/outside yard 8 ft; TVA 2 ft 6 in, and a 6 ft minimum wall is required where commercial/industrial parking abuts residential property (masonry, architecturally treated). Outdoor storage visible from right‑of‑way has higher permitted heights (commercial visibility rules). § 8.72.080; § 8.76.070.A.20.

M‑P, M‑1, M‑2 (Industrial / Manufacturing / Manufacturing‑Park)

  • Purpose / typical uses: Industrial, manufacturing, and materials processing.
  • Landscaping & screening role: Industrial sites must provide screening from adjacent noncompatible uses (follow Table 72‑1) and meet parking/landscape strip requirements; chain‑link fences are permitted in these districts if vegetatively screened to full opacity per § 8.72.080.F.1. § 8.72.030.B, § 8.72.080.F.

Planned Development (PD) zoning districts

  • Purpose / typical uses: PD districts are customized for specific developments and may allow residential or nonresidential mixes.
  • Landscaping & screening role: Where PD allows nonresidential or multi‑family uses, full Chapter 8.72 requirements apply; site design compatibility, streetscape, and parkway treatments must be addressed. Small single‑family PD landscape work may be exempt per § 8.104.020.D (but check the PD standards). § 8.72.030, § 8.104.020.

Overlay & special districts: Downtown Dublin, Historic Overlay, Commercial Corridor Overlay, Dublin Crossing

  • Purpose / typical uses: These overlays add area‑specific rules on top of base zoning.
  • Landscaping & screening role: All improvements in the Historic Overlay, Downtown Dublin, Commercial Corridor Overlay, and Dublin Crossing are subject to their overlay design/regulatory chapters; Chapter 8.72 standards remain the baseline and overlay chapters can add or modify requirements (Site Development Review rules apply to overlays). § 8.104.020.D–H.

Most decision‑relevant standards (table)

Topic Key Dublin rule (plain English) Code Reference
Preliminary landscaping plan When required, submit a preliminary plan showing layout, plant palette, fencing/materials § 8.72.020
Final landscaping & irrigation plan Required where conditioned; must show irrigation, plant list (botanical/common), sizes, and hardscape § 8.72.030
Screening types Three screening types (Type A opaque to 6 ft + intermittent to 20 ft; Type B semi‑opaque to 3 ft + intermittent to 20 ft; Type C lower level) and selected by Table 72‑1 § 8.72.030.B; Table 72‑1
Fence/wall max heights (residential) Front 4 ft; side/street side/rear 6 ft; TVA 2 ft 6 in; outside required yard up to 8 ft § 8.72.080
Fence/wall max heights (commercial/industrial) Front 4 ft; side/rear/street side/outside yard 8 ft; abutting residential minimum 6 ft; outdoor storage up to 10–12 ft per context § 8.72.080; § 8.76.070.A.20
Parking lot landscaping ≥15% of net parking area for lots >1,800 sq ft or ≥6 spaces; min 1 tree per 4 spaces; perimeter planting strip required where abuts ROW § 8.76.070.A.12 & A.19
Tree retention trigger Existing mature Bay, Cypress, Maple, Oak, Redwood, Sycamore >24" DBH in non‑residential districts should be preserved; removal may require arborist report/Site Development Review § 8.72.030.A.4; § 8.72.060
Water efficiency All landscaping must conform to Water Efficient Landscape Regulations § 8.72.070

Practical guidance & interpretation notes

  • Use Table 72‑1 to determine whether you need a Type A (opaque), Type B (semi‑opaque), or Type C screen between your proposed use and the adjacent use; the table is the controlling pick list — if it indicates, you must install the indicated screen type and demonstrate compliance on the Final Landscape Plan. § 8.72.030.B.
  • For most multi‑family, commercial, industrial, and public developments expect to submit a Final Landscaping and Irrigation Plan that includes an automatic irrigation design, plant sizes, and maintenance agreements signed before final permits are issued. § 8.72.030.A.10; § 8.72.050.B.
  • Chain link fences are not the default everywhere — permitted in C‑2, M‑P, M‑1, M‑2 only if vegetatively screened to full opacity; use of slats instead of vegetation is not allowed there. § 8.72.080.F.1.
  • The Director of Community Development may modify or waive fencing requirements when site characteristics make required fencing unnecessary; similarly Site Development Review can allow taller walls (up to 12 ft) for projects that meet review findings. Expect discretion; provide supporting materials. § 8.72.080.B.5; § 8.72.080.B.2.

(When you mention design details to the City, also review the City’s standard plans for street trees and other details that are referenced but not fully listed in Chapter 8.72.)

Checklist

  • Determine adjacent uses and consult Table 72‑1 to identify required screening Type (A/B/C). § 8.72.030.B.
  • Prepare Preliminary Landscaping Plan if required per application checklist; include plant palette, fence locations, and irrigation concept. § 8.72.020.
  • Prepare Final Landscaping & Irrigation Plan when conditioned; include plant list (botanical & common names), sizes, irrigation, and installation details; provide landscape architect stamp if ≥5,000 sq ft. § 8.72.030.A.
  • Demonstrate parking‑lot landscaping compliance (≥15% where applicable; trees at least one per 4 spaces; perimeter strip) if project has parking. § 8.76.070.A.12 & A.19.
  • Show fence/wall heights and measurement method on site plan; ensure TVA and traffic sightline rules are met. § 8.72.080; § 8.72.030.A.24.
  • If removing mature trees (notably Bay, Cypress, Maple, Oak, Redwood, Sycamore >24" DBH in non‑residential), include an arborist report and anticipate Site Development Review. § 8.72.030.A.4; § 8.72.060.
  • File Standard Plant Material, Irrigation System and Maintenance Agreement for nonresidential projects prior to Final Building Permit. § 8.72.050.B.
  • Confirm Water Efficient Landscape Regulations compliance. § 8.72.070.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Interpreting Table 72‑1 (screening matrix) The required screen type (A/B/C) determines wall vs vegetative screening and minimum heights Locate Table 72‑1 in Chapter 8.72 and have the Director confirm which cell applies to your specific developing use and adjacent use. § 8.72.030.B
Height measurement over retaining walls Height is measured from finished ground beneath fence; on top of a retaining wall measurement uses highest adjacent ground — alters permitted fence height Confirm finished grade reference point and show grade on elevation drawings; cite § 8.72.080.C. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Chain link with vegetation Chain link allowed only in certain commercial/industrial districts and must be fully screened (slats not allowed) Confirm zoning district (e.g., C‑2, M‑P, M‑1, M‑2) and show planting details proving opacity per § 8.72.080.F.1.
Tree retention thresholds Trees >24" DBH are protected in non‑residential districts, but exceptions exist for hazard or public works If proposing removal, submit arborist report and plan for replacement; see § 8.72.030.A.4 and § 8.72.060.
Traffic Visibility Area (TVA) TVA rules limit plant/fence heights for driver sightlines and pedestrian safety Show sight triangles on plan and ensure plantings are trimmed; TVA limits referenced in § 8.72.030.A.24 and § 8.72.080. Verify with the jurisdiction.
When Site Development Review is required Many landscape and wall exceptions require Site Development Review, which is discretionary Check Chapter 8.104 to confirm whether your project triggers Site Development Review and consequent public hearing requirements. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain‑English Summary

Dublin’s zoning code requires most non‑exempt projects to submit a landscape plan that shows drought‑aware plants, irrigation, and any walls or fences; it prescribes three screening “types” used to buffer incompatible uses, sets clear fence/wall height limits by district (front yard low, side/rear higher, TVAs very low), and ties parking‑lot planting percentages and tree spacing to parking design. Expect to show materials, maintenance agreements, and sometimes an arborist report; discretionary Site Development Review can change or permit taller walls in special cases. § 8.72.020–.080, § 8.76.070, § 8.104.

Information Gaps

  • The full, readable content of Table 72‑1 (the inter‑use screening matrix) and Figures (Figure 72‑1/72‑2) were not reproduced in the retrieved snippets; the matrix determines Type A/B/C screening in practice. Not found in retrieved materials.
  • City Standard Plans for street tree species and root‑barrier details are referenced but the complete list/specifications are not included here. Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Specific district use tables, setbacks, lot coverage, and FAR are not recited here; those are in the zoning district chapters and development standards (check 8.36 and the Dublin Zoning pages). Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

  • Dublin Municipal Code, Chapter 8.72 (Landscaping and Fencing Regulations): § 8.72.010 – § 8.72.080 (purpose, prelim/final plans, screening types, installation, maintenance, tree removal, water efficiency, fencing/walls/hedges).
  • Dublin Municipal Code, Chapter 8.76 (Off‑Street Parking and Loading Standards): parking‑lot landscaping, perimeter planting, tree spacing, and perimeter wall where parking abuts residential. § 8.76.070 (A.12, A.19, A.20).
  • Dublin Municipal Code, Chapter 8.104 (Site Development Review): when site review is required and the relationship between review and landscape/fences/walls. § 8.104.010–.120.
  • Additional fencing design/details and chain‑link rules in § 8.72.080 (including exceptions and measurement rules).

(These source citations reference the Dublin Zoning Code files retrieved for this summary. For parcel‑specific or plan‑level interpretation, verify with the City’s Community Development Director and the official municipal code on the City Clerk’s site.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Dublin Zoning Code (Chapter 8.72) High relevance
  • Dublin Zoning Code (Chapter for) High relevance
  • Dublin Zoning Code (Section 8.72.030.B) High relevance
  • Dublin Zoning Code (Chapter to) High relevance
  • Dublin Zoning Code (Chapter by) High relevance
  • Dublin Zoning Code (Section may) High relevance
  • Dublin Zoning Code High relevance
  • Dublin Zoning Code (Section 8.72.080) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What screening type (A/B/C) do I need between a commercial site and adjacent homes in Dublin?

Use the Table 72‑1 inter‑use matrix in Chapter 8.72 to determine the required screening. Where the matrix requires an Opaque (Type A) screen you must provide an opaque wall/fence or dense vegetation opaque to 6 ft with intermittent canopy to 20 ft; the matrix cell drives the requirement. § 8.72.030.B.

What are the maximum fence heights for a single‑family lot in Dublin?

In residential zoning, fence/wall height limits are front yard 4 ft; side/street side/rear 6 ft; traffic visibility area 2 ft 6 in; outside required yard up to 8 ft. Measurement rules are in the fencing section. § 8.72.080.

Do I need a landscape architect to prepare my landscaping plan?

If your project proposes 5,000 square feet or more of landscaping, the Final Landscaping and Irrigation Plan must be prepared by a landscape architect registered in California, unless the Director waives that requirement. § 8.72.030.A.11.

How much of a parking lot must be landscaped in Dublin?

Parking areas with 6 or more vehicles or >1,800 sq ft must have at least 15% of their net area landscaped; perimeter landscaping/berms and tree spacing (at least 1 tree per 4 spaces) are also required. § 8.76.070.A.12, A.19.

Are there special rules for trees in Dublin when I redevelop a site?

Yes. In non‑residential zoning, mature Bay, Cypress, Maple, Oak, Redwood, and Sycamore trees over 24 inches diameter at 4 ft 6 in above grade should be preserved; removal may require an arborist’s report and Site Development Review. § 8.72.030.A.4; § 8.72.060.

Can I use chain‑link fencing around my commercial property?

Vinyl‑coated chain link is permitted in C‑2, M‑P, M‑1 and M‑2 districts only behind the front yard setback or along rear lot lines if planted with vegetation dense enough to screen the entire fence so it is opaque; slats are not permitted instead of vegetation. § 8.72.080.F.1.

When will the City require Site Development Review for fencing/landscape issues?

Site Development Review is required for most new principal structures and projects with discretionary elements; a fence or wall may exceed standard heights (up to 12 ft) only where permitted through Site Development Review. Check Chapter 8.104 for triggers and notice/hearing rules. § 8.104; § 8.72.080.B.2.

What are my obligations for irrigation and maintenance of required landscaping?

All commercial, industrial, and multi‑family landscaping must have an automatic irrigation system and landscaping must be maintained (watering, pruning, replacement of dead plants). Nonresidential projects must file a Standard Plant Material, Irrigation System and Maintenance Agreement prior to final building permit. § 8.72.030.A.10; § 8.72.050.B.

Are there limits on planting near sidewalks and utilities?

Yes — trees and shrubs must be selected and sited so their mature root systems will not damage sidewalks, curbs, gutters, or interfere with service lines; street trees must follow the City’s Standard Plans. § 8.72.030.A.25–26.

Does Dublin require drought‑tolerant landscaping?

Yes — landscape design should emphasize drought‑tolerant and native species whenever possible; all landscaping must conform with the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations. § 8.72.030.A.3; § 8.72.070.

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