Local zoning · Elk Grove
Elk Grove — Landscaping and Screening
Landscaping and Screening under the Elk Grove local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 3, 2026
Overview
This page summarizes what the City of Elk Grove's zoning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (trees, planters, buffers, fences, walls, parking-lot shading). The controlling rules are in EGMC Chapter 23.54 (Landscaping) and EGMC Chapter 23.52 (Fences and Walls); project-level plans and exceptions are handled through the City's design-review and development-permit process. See the citywide Elk Grove zoning & planning overview for context and the specific Elk Grove Development Standards for dimensional rules that interact with landscaping. All code citations below are to the Elk Grove Municipal Code (Title 23) as reflected in the retrieved ordinance materials.
What the ordinance requires (quick synthesis)
- The landscaping chapter's purpose is to improve aesthetics, reduce heat/glare, control erosion, conserve water, and provide buffers/screens between residential and nonresidential uses; those purposes are stated in § 23.54.010.
- New nonresidential, multifamily, and single‑family subdivision projects must provide landscaping per the chapter; some expansions of existing nonresidential projects also trigger review (§ 23.54.020).
- Detailed landscape plans (preliminary and final, prepared by a registered landscape architect) are required with design review and improvement plans (§ 23.54.030).
- Minimum percent landscape coverage and minimum planter widths are listed by zoning district in Table 23.54‑1 (within § 23.54.040) — these are the primary, decision‑relevant numeric standards.
- Buffering, parking‑lot landscaping and screening, planting sizes and spacing, irrigation, maintenance, and parking‑lot shade rules are all specified in the chapter (see § 23.54.040–070).
- Fences and walls (including measurement of height, permitted materials, and special screening walls next to residential zones) are regulated in Chapter 23.52 (notably §§ 23.52.030–23.52.070) and tie directly to screening requirements.
Note: design guidelines and specific‑plan provisions may modify these standards; where a Specific Plan or SPA governs it takes precedence (§ 23.54 notes and SPA rules). Verify parcel‑level requirements with the City.
District-by-district landscaping & screening summary
Below are Elk Grove zoning districts that appear in the landscaping table. For each district I list the landscaping purpose and the numeric landscaping/screening standards that the ordinance explicitly ties to that district. For permitted uses and full dimensional standards (setbacks, heights) consult the Division III zoning tables — those use the same zone names but are not reproduced here (verify with the jurisdiction).
- Note on sources: the landscaping numbers below come from Table 23.54‑1 and the related text in § 23.54.040–050; fencing/screening exceptions are in Chapter 23.52.
Residential districts (RD)
RD‑1 – RD‑7
- Purpose: residential subdivisions / low‑density residential (full district permitted‑use lists not reproduced here; verify with Division III). Not found in retrieved materials for permitted uses.
- Landscaping: no numeric minimum listed in Table 23.54‑1 for these bands (Table notes apply; see § 23.54.040). Verify with the City for project‑specific requirements.
RD‑10 – RD‑15
- Purpose: medium‑low density residential. Permitted uses not listed in the retrieved landscaping chapter (verify with Division III). Not found in retrieved materials.
- Landscaping: No minimum percent listed in Table 23.54‑1; setback/landscape minimums to be determined during design review per § 23.54.040 notes.
RD‑20 – RD‑25
- Purpose: medium density residential. (Permitted uses: verify with Division III.)
- Landscaping: Minimum 15% landscape coverage, minimum 15 ft planter along abutting street, 10 ft planter width abutting interior property line, and 10 ft planter abutting residential property per Table 23.54‑1 (see § 23.54.040).
RD‑30
- Landscaping: Minimum 10% landscape coverage, 15 ft street planter, 10 ft interior planter, 10 ft abutting residential planter (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
RD‑40
- Landscaping: Minimum 5% landscape coverage, 15 ft street planter, 10 ft interior planter, 10 ft abutting residential planter (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
Commercial / Office
LC, BP (Local/Business Park)
- Landscaping: 15% minimum landscape coverage, 25 ft planter width abutting street, 6 ft interior planter, 10 ft when abutting residential (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
GC, SC (General / Shopping Center)
- Landscaping: 20% minimum coverage; 25 ft street planter; 6 ft interior; 10 ft adjacent to residential (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
CO (Corporate Office)
- Landscaping: 15% coverage; 25 ft street planter; 6 ft interior; 10 ft abutting residential (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
AC (Auto‑commercial / Auto‑center)
- Landscaping: 10% coverage; 25 ft street planter; 6 ft interior; 10 ft abutting residential (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
Mixed‑use
VCMU
- Landscaping: 10% coverage; 0 ft minimum planter abutting street or interior (special urban frontage); 10 ft abutting residential (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
RMU
- Landscaping: 10% coverage; 5 ft street planter; 5 ft interior; 10 ft abutting residential (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
Industrial / Manufacturing
MP, LI/FX (Light Industrial / Flex)
- Landscaping: 15% coverage; 25 ft street planter; 6 ft interior; 25 ft abutting residential property (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
LI, HI (Light / Heavy Industrial)
- Landscaping: 15% coverage; 25 ft street planter; 6 ft interior; 25 ft abutting residential (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
Notes about districts: Table 23.54‑1 specifically excludes agricultural districts from its rules and allows Specific Plans or Improvement Standards to override the listed minima (see Table notes and SPA rules) — verify with the jurisdiction for parcels inside Specific Plans or SPAs.
Key numeric and design standards (decision table)
| Requirement / Topic | Standard (what you must meet) | Code reference |
|---|---|---|
| Landscape chapter purpose and applicability | Applies to new nonresidential, multifamily, and single‑family subdivisions; some enlargements of nonresidential sites trigger review | § 23.54.010 – § 23.54.020 |
| Minimum landscape coverage by district | See district rows above (Table 23.54‑1) — e.g., RD‑20–RD‑25: 15%, GC/SC: 20% | Table 23.54‑1 / § 23.54.040 |
| Perimeter planter widths | Varies by district; e.g., 25 ft abutting street for many commercial/industrial zones; 6 ft typical interior planter in commercial | Table 23.54‑1 / § 23.54.040 |
| Buffer between nonresidential and residential | Minimum 10 ft planter strip with deciduous and evergreen trees at max 30 ft on center | § 23.54.040(G) |
| Parking lot islands | Parking lots with ≥5 spaces: landscaped islands min 8' × 16', ratio 1 island per 8 spaces (min islands every 10 spaces) | § 23.54.040(C)(1) |
| Parking‑lot screening | Perimeter planter abutting a street must partially screen vehicles to 36" high; can use plants, berms, solid masonry walls, raised planters | § 23.54.040(D) |
| Parking lot shade | Shade required in 15 years: 30% for 5–24 spaces, 40% for 25–49, 50%+ for 50+ spaces | Table 23.54‑2 / § 23.54.040(K) |
| Tree sizes and spacing | Minimum tree size 15‑gallon, with 1/3 of trees at 24‑inch box; street/parking trees 30% evergreen | § 23.54.040(C) |
| Clear‑vision triangle planting | Plants in vision triangles must not exceed 36" at maturity | § 23.54.040(H) |
| Fences & walls – general purpose | Regulate fencing to provide screening, buffer, noise attenuation and allow light/air permeability | § 23.52.010 |
| Fence height limits (typical) | Front yard: 3 ft; street side yard: 3 ft (near sidewalk) or 7 ft (≥5 ft from sidewalk); interior/rear yard 7 ft; outside required yard 10 ft; higher up to 8 ft with permit | § 23.52.050 & Table 23.52‑1 |
| Special screening walls | Commercial/industrial adjacent to residential: masonry or similar 6 ft solid wall minimum; multifamily adjacent to residential: solid wall per design review | § 23.52.070(D–E) |
| Landscape plan requirements | Preliminary landscape plan with design review; final landscape & irrigation plans with improvement plans; both prepared by a registered landscape architect | § 23.54.030 |
| Irrigation & maintenance | Irrigation required for planters; ongoing maintenance obligations; 50% of any sound wall must be covered with planting within 5 years | § 23.54.040(C) & § 23.54.070 |
Practical guidance & interpretation tips
- Start your design with Table 23.54‑1 (minimum coverage and planter widths) and layer in parking‑lot shade and buffer rules — those are the most often‑applied numeric controls. § 23.54.040 is the main operative section.
- Landscape plans are required with design review (preliminary) and again with improvement plans (final); provide irrigation details and plant lists that meet the City's master tree/plant lists (see § 23.54.030 and plant type/size rules in § 23.54.040).
- If your project lies inside a Specific Plan/SPA or a City Improvement Standard corridor, the SPA or Improvement Standard can override the table minima — check the SPA ordinance or Improvement Standards early.
- When screening outdoor storage, drive‑throughs, or large vehicle storage you’ll need to follow Chapter 23.52 screening rules (walls, landscaping, berms) and the City’s design guidelines; commercial/industrial adjacent to residential commonly requires a 6‑ft masonry wall (§ 23.52.070).
- For parking design, use the City’s Elk Grove Parking standards in parallel; parking lot shade calculations reference 15‑year canopy coverage (§ 23.54.040(K)).
Links you will need during submittal: the design‑review process is described under Elk Grove Design Review; dimensional interplay (setbacks, lot coverage) is in Elk Grove Development Standards; overlay areas can change landscaping rules: see Elk Grove Overlay Districts. If your work triggers a building permit, coordinate with the California Building Standards Code requirements as needed. Also consult Elk Grove ADUs if an ADU is proposed (landscaping rules may be different or limited by ADU law).
Checklist
- Confirm zoning district and whether the parcel falls inside a Specific Plan / SPA or Improvement Standard area (SPA rules can override Table 23.54‑1).
- Prepare preliminary landscape plan with registered landscape architect to submit with design review (§ 23.54.030).
- Confirm minimum percent landscape coverage and planter widths for the district (Table 23.54‑1; § 23.54.040).
- Provide parking‑lot landscaping: islands, perimeter planter with 36" vehicle screening, curb heights and irrigation (§ 23.54.040(C)–(D)).
- Show tree species, sizes, spacing and root‑barrier details (min 15‑gallon trees; 1/3 at 24‑inch box; deep‑rooted near hardscape) (§ 23.54.040(C)).
- Include irrigation plans and maintenance responsibility (final plan / improvement plan requirement; EGMC Chapter 14.10 for water‑efficient landscape where applicable) (§ 23.54.030; § 23.54.040; EGMC Chapter 14.10).
- For fences/walls, confirm height and material limits and whether design review or a building permit is required (Chapter 23.52).
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Plan / SPA overrides | Table minima may not apply inside an SPA or Specific Plan; SPA controls can be substantially different | Confirm whether property is inside a Specific Plan or SPA; check the SPA ordinance; see EGMC SPA application rules (§ 23.16.110) |
| Parcel‑by‑parcel planting reductions | Design authority can reduce planter width where two commercial properties adjoin (to improve circulation) | If adjoining commercial lots, ask whether the designated approving authority approved a reduction (§ 23.54 notes to Table 23.54‑1) |
| Tree removal / protected trees | Tree removal and replacement rules are in EGMC Title 19, not in Chapter 23.54 | Check EGMC Title 19 and consult the City arborist / landscape staff; not found in retrieved materials for details in this file |
| Interpretation of “abutting residential property” | Buffer planter widths differ when a site abuts residential — ambiguous when parcels are part of an integrated development | Verify whether the site is an integrated development (standards do not intend to require internal landscaping between parcels) and request formal interpretation if needed (§ 23.54 note 3) |
| Fence height vs. retaining wall | How to measure fence/wall when on a landscape/retaining wall affects allowed height | Confirm finished grade per § 23.52.040 and whether a building permit is required; design review may be necessary for non‑standard fences |
| Parking‑lot shade compliance method | Shade is measured using 15‑year canopy estimates — calculations may vary by species and canopy methodology | Confirm shade calculation method with the Community Development Director during design review and consider alternative shade structures as allowed (§ 23.54.040(K)) |
Plain-English Summary
If you’re building in Elk Grove, your project will usually need a landscape plan that meets the minimum percentage of green area and planter widths listed in Table 23.54‑1 and must use specified tree sizes, spacing, irrigation, and parking‑lot screening rules; solid screening walls and fence heights are governed by Chapter 23.52. Always check for Specific Plans, design‑review conditions, and Title 19 tree rules that can change what applies—verify parcel specifics with the City.
Source References
- Elk Grove Municipal Code, Chapter 23.54 — LANDSCAPING (purpose, applicability, plan requirements, landscape development standards, special provisions, irrigation, maintenance): § 23.54.010 – § 23.54.070.
- Table 23.54‑1 (Minimum Landscape Requirements by Zoning District) and notes: Table 23.54‑1 / § 23.54.040.
- Parking lot landscape, islands, screening, and parking lot shade rules (Table 23.54‑2): § 23.54.040 (C), (D), (K).
- Planting sizes, spacing, street/parking tree composition and irrigation references: § 23.54.040(C).
- Elk Grove Municipal Code, Chapter 23.52 — FENCES AND WALLS (purpose, permit requirements, measurement, height limits, design standards, special requirements): § 23.52.010 – § 23.52.070.
- SPA / Specific Plan application and precedence rules: EGMC § 23.16.110 (SPA mandatory and optional contents; application of SPA development requirements).
Sources
Retrieved passages
- Elk Grove Zoning Code High relevance
- Elk Grove Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance
- Elk Grove Zoning Code High relevance
- Elk Grove Zoning Code (Section 65591) High relevance
- Elk Grove Zoning Code (§3) High relevance
- Elk Grove Zoning Code (§3) High relevance
- Elk Grove Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance
- CBC § 3 (§3) High relevance
Cited sections
- Elk Grove Municipal Code, **Chapter 23.54 — LANDSCAPING** (purpose, applicability, plan requirements, landscape development standards, special provisions, irrigation, maintenance): **§ 23.54.010 – § 23.54.070**. (Chapter 23.54)
- Table 23.54‑1 (Minimum Landscape Requirements by Zoning District) and notes: **Table 23.54‑1 / § 23.54.040**. (§ 23.54.040)
- Parking lot landscape, islands, screening, and parking lot shade rules (Table 23.54‑2): **§ 23.54.040 (C), (D), (K)**. (§ 23.54.040)
- Planting sizes, spacing, street/parking tree composition and irrigation references: **§ 23.54.040(C)**. (§ 23.54.040)
- Elk Grove Municipal Code, **Chapter 23.52 — FENCES AND WALLS** (purpose, permit requirements, measurement, height limits, design standards, special requirements): **§ 23.52.010 – § 23.52.070**. (Chapter 23.52)
- SPA / Specific Plan application and precedence rules: EGMC **§ 23.16.110** (SPA mandatory and optional contents; application of SPA development requirements). (§ 23.16.110)
- ElkGrove_ZoningCode.md
Frequently asked questions
How much of my lot has to be landscaped in Elk Grove?
Minimum landscape coverage depends on zoning and is set in Table 23.54‑1; for example, RD‑20–RD‑25 require 15%, GC/SC require 20%. See § 23.54.040 for the full table and notes; verify for Specific Plan areas.
What planter widths do I need along the street and next to neighbors?
Planter widths are district‑specific in Table 23.54‑1 (part of § 23.54.040). Many commercial/industrial zones require 25 ft street planters; typical interior planter widths are 6 ft (commercial) or 10 ft where abutting residential.
Do I have to include trees in parking lots, and how much shade is required?
Yes. Parking lots must provide islands and trees (islands minimum 8' × 16', ratio 1 per 8 spaces) and must meet parking‑lot shade minima measured at 15 years: 30% for 5–24 spaces, 40% for 25–49, 50% for 50+ spaces (§ 23.54.040(C) and (K)).
What walls or fences are required to screen commercial sites from nearby houses?
Commercial and industrial uses adjacent to residential zones are required to be screened by a masonry or similar solid wall, minimum 6 ft tall; multifamily adjacent to residential must provide a solid wall whose design is set in design review (§ 23.52.070(D–E)).
Do I need a landscape plan and who prepares it?
Yes. A preliminary landscape plan is required with design review and a final landscape and irrigation plan is required with improvement plans or building permits; both must be prepared by a landscape architect registered in California (§ 23.54.030).
How are fence heights measured and what are typical limits?
Fence/wall height is measured from the lowest finished grade at the base to the top of the fence (§ 23.52.040). Typical maxima: 3 ft in front yards, 7 ft in interior/rear yards (with certain allowances to 8 ft with a building permit), and 10 ft outside required yards — see Table 23.52‑1 in § 23.52.050.
If my project borders a park or open space, does that change fence rules?
Yes — the code requires open‑view fencing where fencing is along public frontages of nonresidential and multifamily projects and also where adjacent to open space areas; see § 23.52.060(A) for open view fencing standards.
Can the City reduce landscape requirements if two commercial sites adjoin?
Yes. The designated approving authority may grant reductions to minimum perimeter planter widths where two commercial properties adjoin to encourage access and eliminate duplicate plantings (Table 23.54‑1 notes; § 23.54.040 notes). Confirm this during design review.
Are there water‑efficiency requirements tied to landscaping?
Yes. All new multifamily and nonresidential development must comply with Elk Grove's water‑efficient landscaping requirements and EGMC Chapter 14.10 consistent with California's Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (referenced in § 23.54.040(C)).
What if my site is in a Specific Plan or an SPA?
If a Specific Plan or SPA has its own landscape/streetscape provisions, those provisions govern instead of the Table 23.54‑1 minima; where a standard is not addressed in the SPA, the Title 23 standard applies (see SPA application rules § 23.16.110).
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