Local zoning · Etna

Etna — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Etna's zoning ordinance requires for landscaping (trees, shrubs, groundcover) and screening (fences, walls, hedges, planted buffers). It is grounded in the City of Etna Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) — key rules live in § 17.34.060 (fences/screens) and § 17.34.070 (site plan / landscaping details). See the city's general zoning overview for context: Etna zoning & planning overview. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel-specific interpretations.

How the code defines the terms

  • Landscaping is defined as introduced vegetation, shrubs, trees and ground cover: § 17.06.1120 .
  • Fence or wall (for zoning purposes) includes hedges and screen plantings: § 17.06.830 .

Citywide, cross-cutting rules (what applicants hit first)

  • Fences, walls, hedges and screen planting height limits and exceptions are set by § 17.34.060; the code prescribes maximum heights in front vs. side/rear yards, special corner-lot vision limits, and exceptions for commercial/industrial zones and lattice/airy-tops. See § 17.34.060 for the full list.
  • Landscaping information is a mandatory element of a site plan submittal. A complete site plan must show existing trees (circumference/type/location) and proposed landscaping diagrams with quantities, species and container sizes: § 17.34.070.
  • The zoning title is the baseline; more specific design review, parking, or overlay rules can add requirements. See Etna Development Standards, and note that parking calculations that affect landscaping must follow the city's parking rules: Etna Parking.

District-by-district breakdown

The ordinance establishes district names in § 17.08.010 (the district table) — the City’s zoning districts include R-1-10, R-1-12, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, M, M-H, O, F-1, and F-2. Use chapters 17.10–17.30 for the full uses and development standards for each district; the table of chapters is shown in Title 17.08.010.

Below is a per-district synthesis focused strictly on landscaping / screening and the site-development standards that affect them. Where the ordinance text for a district does not explicitly state a landscaping rule, that absence is noted.

  • R-1-10 (Single-family residential, 10,000 sf)

    • Purpose and typical uses: single-family homes (see Chapter 17.10). Not all landscaping specifics are repeated in the single-family chapter in the retrieved materials — see Chapter 17.10 for permitted uses. Not found in retrieved materials for district-specific landscape ratios.
    • Screening/fences: subject to the general fence/wall rules in § 17.34.060 (front-yard max 4 ft, side/rear 6 ft, corner-lot vision triangle 3 ft within 35 ft).
    • Site plan: if site plan review required, must show existing and proposed trees/landscaping per § 17.34.070.
    • Where it applies: primarily single-family residential neighborhoods (see Chapter 17.10).

  • R-1-12 (Single-family residential, 12,000 sf)

    • Same approach as R-1-10: no separate landscaping metrics found in the retrieved text; default to the citywide fencing and site-plan rules (§ 17.34.060, § 17.34.070) and the district's chapter (Chapter 17.12) for use/lot standards.

  • R-2 (Medium density residential)

    • Purpose/uses: duplexes, etc. (Chapter 17.14/17.12/17.10 family of residential chapters). No explicit R‑2 landscaping formula found in the retrieved materials — follow site plan content requirements and fence rules. Verify with the jurisdiction for multi-family landscape minimums. § 17.34.070 and § 17.34.060 apply for plans and screening.

  • R-3 (High density residential)

    • Purpose/uses: higher-density residential; district-specific landscaping minimums were not located in the retrieved snippets. Multi-family projects will be subject to site-plan landscaping requirements in § 17.34.070 and may be required to provide additional buffering under conditional-use review.

  • C-1 (Central commercial)

    • Purpose/uses: central commercial (Chapter 17.20). Fencing exceptions: in C-1 and C-2 and M zones, the code permits an additional two feet above the six‑foot limit specifically for wire security fencing (§ 17.34.060(A)).
    • Site plan landscaping and parking-lot planting: parking/landscaping interaction referenced in the antenna standard (placement shall not reduce required parking or landscaping) — see § 17.34.040 and § 17.34.070; link to Etna Parking for parking standards that can trigger landscape island requirements.

  • C-2 (General commercial)

    • Purpose/uses: Chapter 17.22. Same citywide fence rules apply; site plans for nonresidential uses must include proposed landscaping § 17.34.070. If security fencing is used, the two‑foot wire exception in § 17.34.060(A) applies in C-2.

  • M (Manufacturing / industrial)

    • Purpose/uses: see Chapter 17.24. The fence security exception for wire fencing across the rear/side yards applies here (additional two feet over six‑foot limit) — § 17.34.060(A). Landscaping for screening of industrial uses is treated via site plan review; the general site-plan landscaping requirements in § 17.34.070 control submittal content.

  • M‑H (Mobile home residential)

    • Purpose/uses: mobile homes; the chapter is Chapter 17.18. Mobile home parks have explicit landscaping/screening standards: front perimeter setback must be 20 feet landscaped, side and rear 10 feet suitably landscaped, with at least 5 feet of yard adjoining a property line to be landscaped and permanently maintained. The council may require additional landscaping and fences/walls to ensure privacy or screen unsightliness — § 17.18.080(C)(1–4) and § 17.18.080(D).
    • Practical note: mobile home park plans must landscape all non‑parking/circulation/recreation areas permanently.

  • O (Open space and public use)

    • Purpose/uses: public facilities, parks, schools, public utilities — see Chapter 17.26. Site development standards include setbacks and allow fences/walls as accessory uses with reference to § 17.34.060 for fence rules; Chapter 17.26 contains permitted public uses and accessory fences. § 17.26.040 and § 17.26.050.

  • F-1 and F-2 (Combining Floodplain districts)

    • Purpose/uses: floodplain combining districts; these are overlays that adopt the standards of the base district but impose floodplain-specific controls. Because of flood risk, the F-1 district has no permitted uses without conditional review; landscaping/structures in flood zones are handled by the overlay's rule set — see § 17.28.010–070 and § 17.30.010. For overlay guidance, see Etna Overlay Districts.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant landscaping & screening standards

Requirement What the code says (short) Code Reference
Front-yard fence maximum height (residential) 4 ft (may exceed to 6 ft if ≥80% open and posts ≥8 ft apart) § 17.34.060
Side/rear-yard fence maximum height 6 ft normally; lattice/top detail may add up to 2 ft if open to light/air § 17.34.060
Corner-lot vision clearance No fence/hedge > 3 ft within 35 ft of corner unless use permit shows no hazard § 17.34.060(C)
Security wire fencing (M, C-1, C-2) An additional 2 ft above the six‑foot limit allowed for wire security fencing § 17.34.060(A)
Site plan landscaping submission Must show existing trees (circumference/type/location) and proposed landscaping (diagram, quantity, varieties, container size) § 17.34.070
Mobile home park perimeters Front setback 20 ft landscaped; side/rear 10 ft suitably landscaped; 5 ft minimum landscaped yard adjoining park property line § 17.18.080(C) and (D)
Definition of landscaping Vegetation, shrubbery, trees, ground cover § 17.06.1120

Practical guidance / interpretation notes

  • Treat § 17.34.060 (fences/walls/hedges/screens) as the controlling rule for any new fence or planted screen in Etna; the code measures fence height from natural ground unless a different measurement is authorized by the building official. § 17.34.060(A) and (measurement note).
  • When your project triggers a site plan (or City Council) review, allow room to show every tree on-site (circumference and species) and the exact planting schedule (container sizes and varieties) — these are mandatory site plan elements per § 17.34.070. This applies equally to small commercial re‑landscapes if they require site-plan approval.
  • For parking-lot landscaping or where parking counts affect landscape islands, coordinate with the City’s Etna Parking requirements because the site-plan rules require showing parking and landscaping together.
  • The code treats hedges and screen plantings as "fences" for height/clearance purposes, so a tall dense hedge in a front setback can be limited to the same 4‑ft rule unless it qualifies for the 80%‑open exception or a use permit — see § 17.34.060(B) and (C).
  • For projects in a floodplain overlay (F‑1/F‑2) or certain multi‑family or commercial developments, additional overlay or council conditions can add landscape/screening requirements; check Etna Overlay Districts and the specific chapter (§ 17.28, § 17.30) before finalizing plans.

Checklist (what an applicant must include before the city will accept/route your application)

  • Submit a site plan that includes existing trees with circumference, species and location, and proposed landscaping diagrams (quantity, species, container size) — § 17.34.070.
  • Ensure proposed fences/walls comply with front/side/rear height limits (4 ft / 6 ft) and corner-lot vision rules (3 ft within 35 ft) or apply for a use permit — § 17.34.060.
  • For mobile home parks, show 20 ft front landscaped setback, 10 ft side/rear landscaping, and permanent maintenance mechanism for landscaped yards — § 17.18.080.
  • If your fence is chain link or exceeds front-yard open‑fence standards, prepare a conditional use permit justification per § 17.34.060(B).
  • Coordinate parking layout and landscape islands to meet both parking and site-plan standards (see Etna Parking and § 17.34.070).
  • Where state code applies to structure-to-structure fire hardening or non-combustible landscape approaches (wildland-urban interface areas), coordinate with fire authority and Title 24 requirements: California Building Standards Code. Not found in retrieved Etna materials whether Etna imposes additional WUI landscaping rules; verify with the city.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Lack of district-specific landscape minimums for R-1/R-2/R-3 The code's site-plan and fence rules are explicit, but the retrieved materials do not show per-district landscape area or tree-count minima for single- and multi‑family zones Verify Chapter 17.10–17.14 for R‑district landscape minima and if design review imposes additional standards. Not found in retrieved materials.
Parking-lot planting standards Parking often triggers islands and tree counts; the code requires showing parking and landscaping but parking-lot planting formulas were not in the retrieved text Check Etna Parking and Chapter(s) for C‑district standards. Verify with the planning department.
Species, irrigation, and water-efficient standards No plant palettes, drought-tolerant list, or irrigation requirements were located in the retrieved excerpts Verify whether Etna has a local water-wise planting list, or if CA water codes/green building standards apply. Not found in retrieved materials.
Tree removal / heritage trees The Title 17 excerpts provided do not show city tree-protection or removal permit rules Confirm whether Etna has a street-tree or heritage-tree ordinance (not found in retrieved materials). Verify with the city.
Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) controls State WUI/Chapter 7A may require non-combustible planting and defensible space approaches; Etna’s adoption or local overlay is not shown in the retrieved Etna materials Verify local adoption and fire department requirements; see state WUI guidance and California Building Standards Code.

Plain-English summary

In Etna, any proposal that alters landscaping or adds fences/screens must show existing trees and the proposed planting plan on the site plan, and fences are limited to 4 ft in front yards and 6 ft in side/rear yards (with specific exceptions and a corner‑lot 3 ft/35 ft vision rule). For mobile‑home parks the code requires specific landscaped perimeters (20 ft front, 10 ft side/rear). See § 17.34.060 and § 17.34.070 for the controlling rules and Chapter 17.18 for mobile‑home park landscaping obligations.

Information Gaps

  • No district-level landscaping ratios, minimum tree counts or parking-lot planting formulas were located for R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1, C-2, or M in the retrieved snippets. Not found in retrieved materials (verify Chapters 17.10–17.24).
  • No plant species lists, irrigation, or water-conservation planting standards were found. Not found in retrieved materials.
  • No separate Etna tree-protection/heritage tree ordinance located in the files provided. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

  • City of Etna Zoning Ordinance (Title 17), § 17.34.060 Fences, walls, hedges and screen planting. (ecode360: https://ecode360.com/ET4432 — code download referenced in file)
  • City of Etna Zoning Ordinance (Title 17), § 17.34.070 Site plan (landscaping submittal requirements). (ecode360: https://ecode360.com/ET4432)
  • City of Etna Zoning Ordinance (Title 17), § 17.06.1120 (definition: Landscaping).
  • City of Etna Zoning Ordinance (Title 17), § 17.06.830 (definition: Fence, wall).
  • City of Etna Zoning Ordinance (Title 17), § 17.18.080 Mobile home park standards (landscaping setbacks and maintenance).
  • City of Etna Zoning Ordinance (Title 17), § 17.26.040 and § 17.26.050 (Open Space district standards and accessory fences/walls).
  • Combining floodplain overlay, § 17.28.010–070 (F‑1) and § 17.30.010 (F‑2) — overlay impacts on uses and controls.
  • State-level WUI and Title 24 references (for wildland defensible-space and non‑combustible landscape alternatives) — relevant for fire-prone areas but local adoption/implementation in Etna not shown in retrieved materials.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Etna Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance
  • Etna Zoning Code (§ 17.34.070.) High relevance
  • Etna Zoning Code (§ 17.34.070.) High relevance
  • CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
  • Etna Zoning Code (§ 17.06.1060.) High relevance
  • Etna Zoning Code (§ 17.34.060.) High relevance
  • CBC § 17.06.810 (§ 17.06.810.) Medium relevance
  • Etna Zoning Code (§ 17.06.1110.) Medium relevance
  • Etna Zoning Code (§ 17.34.220.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What fence height can I build in my front yard in Etna?

Front-yard fences in residential zones may not exceed 4 ft unless they meet the airy‑fence exception (then up to 6 ft if at least 80% open and posts spaced ≥8 ft), or you obtain a conditional use permit; see § 17.34.060.

Can a hedge be treated as a fence in Etna?

Yes. The code defines a "fence" to include hedges and screen plantings, so hedges are subject to the same height/clearance rules (front 4 ft, side/rear 6 ft, corner‑lot vision rules) in § 17.06.830 and § 17.34.060.

Do I have to show trees and proposed plants on the site plan?

Yes — a site plan must identify all existing trees (circumference, type, location) and proposed landscaping with diagrams, quantities, varieties and container size per § 17.34.070.

Are there special landscaping rules for mobile home parks in Etna?

Yes — mobile home parks must provide 20 ft landscaped front setbacks and 10 ft side/rear setbacks; at least 5 ft adjoining a park property line must be landscaped and permanently maintained, and all unused areas must be permanently landscaped and maintained (§ 17.18.080).

Can I build a 7‑ft privacy fence in my backyard?

Generally no: rear/side yards are limited to 6 ft; however, lattice or open material of up to 2 ft may be added to the top of a rear/side fence if it is substantially open to light/air and compatible with the fence design — see § 17.34.060(E).

Does the code require drought‑tolerant or specific species for landscaping?

Not in the retrieved Etna excerpts — the Title 17 snippets show that landscaping must be shown on site plans, but they do not include a city plant list, irrigation or water‑efficiency requirements. Verify with the City; state green‑building or drought rules could also apply. Not found in retrieved materials.

Will a fence in a corner lot be treated differently?

Yes — on a corner lot, no fence/hedge/screen planting may exceed 3 ft in height within 35 ft of the property corner adjacent to intersecting streets unless a use permit shows no traffic or pedestrian hazard (§ 17.34.060(C)).

Do commercial/industrial zones have the same fence limits?

Commercial and industrial zones still follow the basic rules, but M, C‑1, and C‑2 specifically allow an extra 2 ft for wire security fences above the six‑foot limit; measurement conventions and site‑plan review still apply (§ 17.34.060(A)).

Is street‑front landscaping required in open‑space (O) uses?

Open-space uses (Chapter 17.26) set site development standards and allow fences/walls as accessory uses — the chapter requires setbacks and contemplates landscaping for public uses, but specific planting minima are in Chapter 17.26; consult § 17.26.040 and § 17.26.050.

If my project is in a floodplain overlay, what happens to landscaping rules?

Floodplain overlays (F‑1/F‑2) adopt the base district standards but also impose flood-related constraints; permitted uses in F‑1 require conditional review and overlay rules control whether landscaping or structures may be allowed — see § 17.28.050 and § 17.28.040. Check the overlay chapter early in design. ---

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