Local zoning · Exeter

Exeter — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What landscaping submittals does Exeter require for a commercial site?

Exeter requires a landscaping and irrigation plan submitted to the City Planner or Planning Director; when the landscaped area is 2,500 sq ft or greater the submission must comply with the City’s water‑efficient landscaping rules (hydrozones, MAWA, soil report, irrigation plans) in § 17.66.02–06 .

Q: Do parking lots in Exeter have tree/shade requirements?

Yes — parking lots in many commercial and industrial zones must include trees and landscaping so that 50% of the parking lot is shaded within five years ; the requirement appears in multiple zone chapters (for example § 17.32.10 and § 17.21.07.B ).

Q: When is a 7‑foot masonry wall required in Exeter?

Where a non‑residential district (for example CH , CS , I , CN , MU ) abuts a residential R district the code requires a 7‑ft solid block wall on the property line separating the districts (see § 17.26.07 , § 17.30.07 , § 17.32.07 , § 17.22.06 , § 17.21.06 ). Verify adjacent parcel zoning to confirm the trigger.

Q: Are there limits on front-yard fence height or materials?

Yes — many zones limit front-yard fences to low heights (commonly 3 ft ) or to wrought‑iron materials; see the applicable zone chapter for exact limits (for example § 17.22.06.A , § 17.38.07.A , § 17.32.11.B ).

Q: Does Exeter limit turf and require drought-tolerant plants?

Yes — the landscaping chapter and several zone sections require minimal turf , incorporation of xerophytic (low-water) plants , mulches, and automated water-conserving irrigation; projects subject to 17.66 must use the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet and MAWA calculations ( § 17.66.03–05 ).

Q: What are trash enclosure screening rules?

Trash enclosures are consistently required to be surrounded by a 6‑ft solid block wall , covered by a trellis in many zones, and landscaped around the perimeter; gates are specified as metal ( § 17.21.09.F , § 17.22.09.F , § 17.32.10.D ).

Q: Do PD (Planned Development) projects have special landscaping rules?

Yes — a PD is applied on top of a base zone and adds design-level landscaping rules (tree sizes, parkways, turf limits, special screening of blank walls, planting spacing) that supplement the base zone’s landscaping rules; see § 17.42.02–07 and the PD development standards (e.g., 17.42.07.K–M ).

Q: Are there citywide “protected tree” species or trimming rules in the zoning excerpts?

Not found in the retrieved materials: the uploaded ordinance excerpts describe planting sizes/spacing for new development and tree placement for shading/screening but do not include a citywide protected-tree list or trimming permit requirements. Verify with the Planning Department.

Q: If my lot abuts a sidewalk, do I have to screen parking?

Where a parking lot abuts a public sidewalk the code calls for separation by a 3‑ft fence, wall, or hedge (for example in the MU and CN chapters) and parking-lot buffers with low walls/hedges are encouraged in many zones—show these on the site plan to pass site plan review. See § 17.21.06.B , § 17.22.09.D . ---

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

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Exeter zoning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls, and trees across the city’s zoning districts. It is strictly drawn from the Exeter Zoning Ordinance (Title 17): where the code prescribes a landscaping or screening rule I show the controlling § and the ordinance file citation so you can verify the source. For site layout and tree-in-parking rules see the city’s rules for parking and for design elements see the city’s design review rules as noted below. (§ references embedded)

Important internal links used below (first natural mention only): the city’s rules for parking are at /us/california/exeter/parking, design review is at /us/california/exeter/design-review, development standards (setbacks, yards) are at /us/california/exeter/development-standards, overlay districts are at /us/california/exeter/overlay-districts, ADUs at /us/california/exeter/adu, and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) at /us/california/building-codes.

District-by-district landscaping & screening requirements

(Short synthesis of purpose, typical uses, the landscaping/screening rules that matter to applicants, and where the district applies.)

I — Industrial (Chapter 17.32)

Purpose / uses: Heavy/light industrial, manufacturing, storage; I is the city’s industrial zone. Key development standards and site design rules are in § 17.32.06–11.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- A landscaping and irrigation plan must be submitted to the City Planner; if landscaped area > 2,500 sq ft the plan must comply with Chapter 17.66 (the water-efficiency / landscape chapter) (§ 17.32.10) .
- Parking-lot tree plan required to achieve 50% shading within five years (§ 17.32.10) .
- Where an I parcel abuts an R (residential) district a 7-foot solid block wall is required on the property line; outdoor storage must be screened by a 7‑ft block wall or 6‑ft chain-link with slats and landscaping (§ 17.32.07) .
- Front-yard fencing is limited to wrought‑iron (design constraint) (§ 17.32.11.B) .

CH — Highway Commercial (Chapter 17.30)

Purpose / uses: Highway-oriented retail, auto-related services; CH standards in § 17.30.06–11.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Landscaping and irrigation plan required; >2,500 sq ft triggers Chapter 17.66 compliance (§ 17.30.10) .
- Outdoor storage, loading, equipment areas must be screened from public view; parking lots should be screened from the public right-of-way with low walls/landscaping or earthen berms (§ 17.30.11.B, D) .
- Parking-lot shading target: 50% shade within five years (§ 17.30.11.G) .
- Where CH abuts R, a 7‑ft solid block wall on the property line is required and front-yard fencing limited to wrought‑iron (§ 17.30.07) .

CS — Service Commercial (Chapter 17.26)

Purpose / uses: Neighborhood- and service-oriented commercial; see § 17.26.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Landscaping plan required; >2,500 sq ft complies with 17.66 (§ 17.26.10) .
- Where CS abuts R a 7‑ft solid block wall on the property line is required; outdoor storage must be screened by a 6–7 ft wall or chainlink with slats and landscaping (§ 17.26.07) .
- Front-yard fencing limited to wrought‑iron (§ 17.26.07) .

CN — Neighborhood Commercial (Chapter 17.22)

Purpose / uses: Small shopping centers, neighborhood commercial; see § 17.22.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Landscaping and irrigation plan required for neighborhood shopping centers; >2,500 sq ft triggers Chapter 17.66 (§ 17.22.09) .
- Fences/walls: Front yards max 3 ft (or 4 ft if top 1 ft is >50% open); side/rear max 7 ft; where the shopping center abuts an R district a 7‑ft solid block wall is required (§ 17.22.06) .
- Parking lots must reach 50% shading in five years; parking lots should be screened from public roadways by low walls and/or hedges (§ 17.22.06, 17.22.09) .
- Trash enclosures: 6‑ft solid block wall with trellis and landscaping; metal gates (§ 17.22.09.F) .

MU — Mixed Use (Chapter 17.21)

Purpose / uses: Mixed commercial/residential parcels; see § 17.21.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Landscaping and irrigation plan submitted to Planning Director; >2,500 sq ft must comply with 17.66 (§ 17.21.09.A) .
- Parking-lot shading: 50% shade in five years; parking lots separated from sidewalks by raised curbing or sidewalks; small fences/hedges to separate lots from sidewalks (§ 17.21.07.B; 17.21.06.B) .
- Where MU abuts R a 7‑ft solid block wall is required; if parking abuts a public sidewalk a 3‑ft fence/wall/hedge is required (§ 17.21.06) .
- Trash enclosures: 6‑ft block wall and trellis; metal gate (§ 17.21.09.F) .

CC — Central Commercial / Downtown (Chapter 17.24)

Purpose / uses: Downtown, mixed retail/office uses; see § 17.24.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Downtown allows container landscaping in front of storefronts but requires a clear 6‑ft pedestrian path (§ 17.24.09.A) .
- Larger site landscaping (>2,500 sq ft) must comply with 17.66; parking to the side or rear where possible and parking-lot shading 50% within five years for new parking lots (§ 17.24.09, Exhibit 24‑1) .
- CC is also subject to Downtown Design Overlay standards for streetscape and walls (§ 17.24.10) .

O — Open Space (Chapter 17.38)

Purpose / uses: Parks, open/park land; see § 17.38.06–07.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Fences/walls: Front yards max 3 ft (4 ft if top 1 ft is >50% open); side/rear max 7 ft (§ 17.38.07) .
- Other landscape guidance in the chapter is tied to park/open-space design; specific irrigation/MAWA rules apply when projects exceed the 2,500 sq ft threshold in 17.66 (see below) .

PD — Planned Development Overlay (Chapter 17.42)

Purpose / uses: Flexible overlay that modifies base-zone standards (e.g., PD‑R‑1, PD‑CN) § 17.42.02 says PD is combined with base district rules.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- PD developments must follow the base district’s landscaping rules and also include PD-specific landscaping standards (e.g., tree-lined parkways, planting sizes, turf limits: no more than 50% turf in certain PD sections) as listed in 17.42.07.K and related subsections; trash enclosures and fences have PD design rules as well (§ 17.42.07.K–M) .
- PD standards also require greater attention to screening of blank walls, tree placement to screen parking, and 24‑inch box trees at prescribed spacing along street frontages—these are design-level standards applicants must plan for (§ 17.42.07.K.2–8) .

Decision‑relevant quick table

Requirement / Topic	Key rule (plain)	Code reference
Landscaping plan required (large projects)	Submit landscaping & irrigation plan; if landscape area > 2,500 sq ft comply with Chapter 17.66	§ 17.66.02; see § 17.32.10, § 17.21.09, § 17.26.10
Parking-lot tree shading	Design to achieve 50% shading of parking lots within five years	§ 17.32.10; § 17.21.07.B; § 17.30.11.G
Turf / water efficiency	Minimize turf; use xerophytic plants; automated irrigation; comply with MAWA/water budget rules	§ 17.66.03–05 (Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet, MAWA)
Fences/walls where commercial abuts residential	7‑ft solid block wall required on property line where commercial/industrial abuts residential	§ 17.26.07, § 17.30.07, § 17.32.07, § 17.22.06
Trash enclosures	Surrounded by 6‑ft solid block wall, metal gate; trellis and landscaping recommended	§ 17.21.09.F, § 17.22.09.F, § 17.32.10.D
Front-yard fence material	Front yard fences generally limited to wrought‑iron or low 3‑ft walls (varies by zone)	§ 17.32.11.B, § 17.22.06.A, § 17.38.07.A

Practical guidance (plain-English synthesis)

If your project includes more than 2,500 sq ft of combined landscaped area you must prepare a full Landscape Documentation Package that meets the water‑efficiency worksheet, MAWA calculations, soil report, and irrigation design called for in § 17.66.03–06; expect irrigation schedules, audits, and a Certificate of Completion to be required at the end of the job (§ 17.66.09–11) .
For nearly every commercial or mixed‑use zone expect to show a parking lot tree plan that will shade 50% of the lot within five years; species choice, spacing, and rooting details go into the landscape plan and water budget (§ 17.32.10; § 17.21.09; § 17.30.11) .
Whenever a non‑residential parcel abuts an R district you will almost always be required to provide a 7‑ft solid masonry wall at the property line; check the specific zone chapter (CH, CS, I, CN, MU have that rule) before assuming a different treatment (§ 17.26.07; § 17.30.07; § 17.32.07; § 17.22.06; § 17.21.06) .
Trash enclosures are consistently called out to be masonry walled (6 ft) with trellis and landscaping; plan their location and access for collection trucks in the site plan in order to pass design/site plan review (§ 17.21.09.F; § 17.22.09.F; § 17.32.10.D) .
Residential small yards and single‑family front fences are governed by the base residential chapter(s) for fence height; where the code text or exceptions are unclear for a parcel, verify with the Planning Department and the applicable design overlay (e.g., Downtown or Historic) before ordering materials or trees. See the city’s overlay districts guidance for overlay-specific controls. /us/california/exeter/overlay-districts

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Prepare a landscaping & irrigation plan and submit to the City Planner or Planning Director as required (§ 17.66.03; zone-specific refs: § 17.32.10, § 17.21.09, § 17.26.10)
If landscaped area > 2,500 sq ft, include the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet, MAWA calculation, soil management report, irrigation design, and hydrozone labeling per § 17.66.04–06
Show a parking-lot tree plan demonstrating how to achieve 50% shading within five years where applicable (§ 17.32.10, 17.21.07, 17.30.11)
Specify turf limits (minimal turf; PD rules may limit turf to 50% of landscaped area) and xeric plant choices as called for in § 17.66 and PD sections where applicable (§ 17.66.03; 17.42.07.K)
Locate trash enclosure and show masonry wall and trellis details (6‑ft) (§ 17.21.09.F, 17.22.09.F, 17.32.10.D)
If your site abuts an R district, show required 7‑ft solid block wall on the property line and any gates/pedestrian openings (§ 17.26.07, 17.30.07, 17.32.07, 17.22.06)
Ensure front-yard fences meet materials/height rules (often wrought‑iron or max 3 ft with see-through allowance) (§ 17.22.06.A, 17.38.07.A, 17.32.11.B)
Include irrigation schedule and maintenance plan; plan for irrigation audits and Certificate of Completion as required by § 17.66.10–11

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Small residential yards (<2,500 sq ft)	Chapter 17.66 applies only when landscaped area ≥ 2,500 sq ft — residential front-yard rules may be in other chapters	Not found in retrieved materials: verify fence/landscape treatment for small single-family lots with Planning Dept and the applicable R‑zone chapter.
Tree protection / heritage trees	The ordinance gives tree‑planting sizes and spacing in PD and parking shading rules, but it does not provide a citywide “protected tree” species list in the retrieved pages	Not found in retrieved materials: verify whether Exeter has a separate tree-protection ordinance or historic tree rules (contact Planning or Historic Preservation overlay staff).
Conflicts with Historic or Downtown overlays	Downtown / Historic overlays can impose different streetscape and material requirements (e.g., container planting rules in CC)	Verify overlay-specific standards early; see Downtown/Historic overlay chapters and the city’s overlay districts guidance. /us/california/exeter/overlay-districts
Parcel-specific abutting R district triggers	The mandatory 7‑ft block wall requirement depends on abutting zoning boundaries; a small error in interpreting parcel zoning changes the requirement	Verify exact lot lines and adjacent zoning at counter or via GIS before finalizing designs; code sections for each zone (CH/CS/I/CN/MU) spell out the wall requirement.
ADU landscaping requirements	ADU-specific landscaping rules aren’t present in the retrieved zoning excerpts	Not found in retrieved materials: verify ADU landscaping/ screening expectations with the ADU rules page and Planning Dept. /us/california/exeter/adu

Plain-English Summary

If you build or repave sites in Exeter you will almost always need to submit a landscaping and irrigation plan; big projects (over 2,500 sq ft of landscape) must meet the city’s water‑efficient landscape rules (hydrozones, MAWA, irrigation controls), parking lots must be planted to reach 50% shade in five years, and when a commercial or industrial parcel touches residential zoning you must usually build a 7‑ft masonry wall—all of which are enforced during site plan or design review. Verify parcel‑specific requirements and any overlay (downtown, historic, PD) changes with the Planning Department before finalizing drawings.

Source References

§ 17.66.02–17.66.11 (Landscaping, Irrigation & Grading: applicability, documentation, MAWA, irrigation scheduling, Certificate of Completion)
§ 17.32.07–17.32.11 (I Zone: fences, landscaping plan requirement, parking shading target)
§ 17.30.07–17.30.11 (CH Zone: outdoor storage screening, parking-lot screening, low walls / berms, 50% shading)
§ 17.26.07–17.26.11 (CS Zone: 7‑ft wall where abutting residential, landscaping plan)
§ 17.22.06–17.22.09 (CN Zone: fence heights, 7‑ft wall option, landscaping plan, trash enclosure)
§ 17.21.06–17.21.09 (MU Zone: fence/wall rules, parking-lot shading, landscaping plan)
§ 17.24.09–17.24.11 (CC Zone: streetscape container planting, parking-lot siting and shading rules)
§ 17.38.07 (O Zone: fence height limits for parks/open space)
Chapter 17 (Title 17 Zoning, various chapters and exhibits) — Exeter Zoning Ordinance (file: Exeter_ZoningCode.md). The searchable ordinance excerpts used above are provided in the uploaded ordinance extract.

Note: For overlay-specific or parcel‑specific determinations consult the city’s overlay maps and the overlay districts guidance. /us/california/exeter/overlay-districts

Sources

Retrieved passages

Exeter Zoning Code (Chapter 17.68) High relevance
Exeter Zoning Code (Chapter 17.66) High relevance
Exeter Zoning Code (Chapter 17.66) High relevance
Exeter Zoning Code (Chapter 17.66) High relevance
Exeter Zoning Code (Chapter 17.54) High relevance
Exeter Zoning Code (Chapter 21) High relevance
Exeter Zoning Code (Chapter 17.66) High relevance
Exeter Zoning Code (Chapter 22) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Exeter code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping submittals does Exeter require for a commercial site?

Exeter requires a landscaping and irrigation plan submitted to the City Planner or Planning Director; when the landscaped area is 2,500 sq ft or greater the submission must comply with the City’s water‑efficient landscaping rules (hydrozones, MAWA, soil report, irrigation plans) in § 17.66.02–06.

Do parking lots in Exeter have tree/shade requirements?

Yes — parking lots in many commercial and industrial zones must include trees and landscaping so that 50% of the parking lot is shaded within five years; the requirement appears in multiple zone chapters (for example § 17.32.10 and § 17.21.07.B).

When is a 7‑foot masonry wall required in Exeter?

Where a non‑residential district (for example CH, CS, I, CN, MU) abuts a residential R district the code requires a 7‑ft solid block wall on the property line separating the districts (see § 17.26.07, § 17.30.07, § 17.32.07, § 17.22.06, § 17.21.06). Verify adjacent parcel zoning to confirm the trigger.

Are there limits on front-yard fence height or materials?

Yes — many zones limit front-yard fences to low heights (commonly 3 ft) or to wrought‑iron materials; see the applicable zone chapter for exact limits (for example § 17.22.06.A, § 17.38.07.A, § 17.32.11.B).

Does Exeter limit turf and require drought-tolerant plants?

Yes — the landscaping chapter and several zone sections require minimal turf, incorporation of xerophytic (low-water) plants, mulches, and automated water-conserving irrigation; projects subject to 17.66 must use the Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet and MAWA calculations (§ 17.66.03–05).

What are trash enclosure screening rules?

Trash enclosures are consistently required to be surrounded by a 6‑ft solid block wall, covered by a trellis in many zones, and landscaped around the perimeter; gates are specified as metal (§ 17.21.09.F, § 17.22.09.F, § 17.32.10.D).

Do PD (Planned Development) projects have special landscaping rules?

Yes — a PD is applied on top of a base zone and adds design-level landscaping rules (tree sizes, parkways, turf limits, special screening of blank walls, planting spacing) that supplement the base zone’s landscaping rules; see § 17.42.02–07 and the PD development standards (e.g., 17.42.07.K–M).

Are there citywide “protected tree” species or trimming rules in the zoning excerpts?