Local zoning · Glenn County

Glenn County — Landscaping and Screening

Q: Do parking lots have to include landscaping?

Yes — if a parking lot contains five or more spaces and is visible from a street, at least 5% of the parking and driveway area (excluding required street frontage strips) must be landscaped and distributed through the lot; protective curbing or similar required around landscaped islands. § 15.57.020(5)–(6) . Glenn County Parking

Q: Can I use chain‑link fencing for screening?

Chain‑link fencing is permitted only when accompanied by heavy landscaping that will screen it (the code specifically limits chain‑link to cases with heavy planting that will screen within about three years); for larger trash/service areas the preferred solution is a solid 6‑ft fence or masonry wall ( § 15.56.110 ).

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page explains the landscaping, screening, fence/wall and buffering rules that apply in the unincorporated areas of Glenn County under the Unified Development Code (Title 15). The primary landscaping chapter is § 15.57 (landscaping standards); screening and open-storage performance standards appear in Division 15‑4 Part 1 (Performance Standards), including § 15.56. The County requires a landscape plan, minimum planting sizes, irrigation, parking-lot landscaping, and district-specific fence/wall standards for properties that abut residential zones (unincorporated areas only) — see the Glenn County zoning & planning overview for context.

NOTE: This page covers only the zoning/planning (Title 15) landscaping and screening rules that apply in unincorporated Glenn County. For building-code issues (Title 24) or state ADU law see the California Building Standards Code and California ADU law. California Building Standards Code California ADU law

Key County chapters and how they fit together

§ 15.57 — Landscaping standards (general requirements, minimum widths in front and side/rear yards, planting sizes, irrigation, parking-lot landscaping, plan, inspection, bonding).
§ 15.56 — Performance standards (open/outdoor storage, screening of trash and service areas, accumulation vehicles).
District-specific rules (yard/fence/wall rules appear inside each district chapter, e.g., § 15.37 R‑1; § 15.38 R‑M; § 15.41 C; § 15.44 M; § 15.51 MP; § 15.50 MHP).

Where the code refers to administrative or discretionary approvals (director, Planning Commission, site plan review), applicants should expect project-level review — consult Glenn County Design Review and Development Standards pages for related procedures. Glenn County Design Review Glenn County Development Standards

District-by-district breakdown (screening / landscaping highlights)

Note: Each district subsection below gives the purpose, typical uses (brief), and the screening/landscaping rules that are specifically spelled out in that district chapter. All citations reference the County code for unincorporated areas.

R‑1 — Single Family Residential (see § 15.37)

Purpose / typical uses: Low‑density single‑family dwellings; accessory structures.
Screening / fencing: Residential districts allow fences, walls and hedges not exceeding six feet in height, but within any required front yard (or side yard on a corner lot) a fence/wall/hedge shall not exceed three feet in height (with exceptions noted in district text). See § 15.37.100.
Landscaping: General landscaping and yard maintenance expectations apply (no silt/mud/standing water); separate landscaping standards in § 15.57 apply where commercial or multifamily development is proposed adjacent to residential.

R‑M — Multiple‑Family Residential (see § 15.38)

Purpose / typical uses: Medium-to higher-density residential.
Walls & fences: Walls/fences required for certain conditional uses; a solid wall or fence of six feet is allowed adjacent to low-density residential zones, but within required front yards the height limit is three feet (a fourth foot of non‑solid material may be allowed) — see § 15.38.110.
Landscaping: Site plan review for multi‑unit projects will require landscaping consistent with § 15.57.

C — Commercial (see § 15.41)

Purpose / typical uses: Retail and service businesses serving the public.
Screening & fences: The C zone includes walls/fences requirements as part of site plan review; exterior trash, service yards and storage must be screened (see performance standards).
Landscaping: Where parking is provided, parking‑lot landscaping rules (minimum landscaped area, distributed islands, curbing/protection) in § 15.57.020(E) apply — see the Parking link for implementation considerations. Glenn County Parking

M — Industrial (see § 15.44)

Purpose / typical uses: Industrial uses and outdoor storage (limited).
Screening & yards: For conditional or certain outdoor storage uses, the zone requires a solid wall, solid fence, or landscaping sized to the project and consistent with neighborhood character. Where industrial properties abut residential zoning, the code frequently requires six-foot masonry or wood fences along the shared property line; refer to the yard standards in § 15.44.060–080.
Open storage: Open/outdoor storage areas must be screened from streets and adjacent properties per § 15.56.110 (see performance standards).

MP — Industrial Park (see § 15.51)

Purpose / typical uses: Business parks and light industrial uses with an emphasis on attractively landscaped campuses.
Yards & screening: Minimum yards include special setbacks (e.g., 50 ft) where abutting residential, and where such abutments occur the owner must construct a six‑foot high solid masonry wall or solid wood fence on the lot line; this is a mandatory condition for many MP uses (see § 15.51.090).
Landscaping: The MP district purpose expressly calls for attractively landscaped areas integrated into site plans; § 15.57 standards and any site‑plan special conditions apply.

MHP — Mobilehome Park (see § 15.50)

Purpose / typical uses: Mobilehome parks (special use).
Landscaping & perimeter walls: The mobilehome park chapter requires landscaping of all open areas (except paved areas) and allows the Planning Commission to require perimeter walls/fences and tree planting along street frontages as part of conditional permit conditions. See § 15.50 for park‑specific requirements.

Most decision-relevant standards (quick reference table)

Requirement	Standard (what applicants must provide/observe)	Code reference
Required front planted strip for commercial/industrial parcels	10 ft planted area from edge of county road ROW (or 5 ft if curb/gutter/sidewalk exists)	§ 15.57.020(2)
Side/rear buffer when abutting residential (commercial/industrial)	5 ft planted strip OR 6‑ft wooden fence/masonry wall at lot line (fence/wall ≤3 ft high if extending into required front yard)	§ 15.57.020(3)–(4)
Parking‑lot landscaping	When parking has five or more spaces, ≥5% of parking area (excluding required street strip) must be landscaped; distributed islands; protective curbing or similar	§ 15.57.020(5)–(6)
Fence height limits (residential/front yard)	Fences/walls/hedges ≤6 ft generally; ≤3 ft in required front yards or side yards on corner lots (limited 4th ft may be non‑solid)	§ 15.36.090 / § 15.37.100
Minimum plant sizes (Table A)	Example: canopy tree single‑stem 2½" caliper (in plantings abutting residential or street); shrubs 5‑gal where adjacent; understory/evergreen sizes specified	§ 15.57.020(8) Table A
Irrigation	All landscaping must have drip or in‑ground sprinkler irrigation; indigenous/drought‑tolerant plantings may permit temporary/portable irrigation	§ 15.57.020(9)
Landscape plan & implementation	Landscape plan required at site plan/building permit review; landscaping must be implemented before occupancy or bonding posted (financial assurance = 150% of cost)	§ 15.57.030–050
Open/outdoor storage & service areas	No outdoor storage in required front yards; outdoor storage must be screened from streets/adjacent properties; trash and service areas to be screened (solid 6‑ft fences or walls for larger areas)	§ 15.56.110
Accumulation vehicles in residential	Limited (e.g., 1–2 depending on parcel size), must be completely screened from public right‑of‑way and adjacent properties; may require permits	§ 15.56.160

Practical guidance / interpretation tips

The County treats landscaping as part of site plan review: submit a clear landscape plan showing existing and proposed trees, species/sizes, irrigation plans and protective edging for planted islands; the plan must be approved by the director or review authority under § 15.57.030.
If your commercial or industrial lot abuts a residential district, expect either a 5‑ft planted buffer or a 6‑ft solid fence/wall at the lot line — that is a hard requirement in many district chapters (for example § 15.51.090 for MP and the general landscaping standards § 15.57.020).
Chain‑link fences are permitted only if heavy landscaping is installed that will screen them within a few years; for trash and service areas the code explicitly prefers solid screening or masonry walls ≈6 ft high for larger areas. See § 15.56.110.
Parking‑lot landscaping is measured as a percentage of total parking/driveway area (not just stalls) and must be distributed; protective curbing around planting islands is required. § 15.57.020(5)–(6).

Also consider design/adjacency rules: when your proposal is subject to site plan review, the Planning Director may approve alternative landscaping plans that meet the chapter intent (but get that in writing). For site‑level questions see Glenn County Design Review.

Information Gaps / Things Not Found in the retrieved materials

Specific lists of approved plant species (plant palettes) for Glenn County — Not found in retrieved materials. Verify if a separate plant list or native species guidance exists.
Precise numeric thresholds for some residential fence exceptions (e.g., the exact allowance for a non‑solid 4th foot in front yard appears across district text but the uniform cross‑reference is not centralized) — code language is distributed across district chapters; verify with the Planning Director.
GIS‑mapped district boundaries tied to the standards (parcel‑specific applicability) — Not found in retrieved ordinance text; check County zoning maps on the Planning website. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Any updated design manuals or species matrices adopted after the ordinance excerpts provided — Not found in retrieved materials.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Confirm your site is in unincorporated Glenn County and identify the base zoning district (verify district‑by‑district rules).
Prepare a landscape plan that includes locations, species, sizes, spacing, irrigation layout and existing trees to be retained (submit per § 15.57.030).
Provide irrigation details (drip or in‑ground sprinkler) unless plan uses all indigenous/drought‑resistant plants and the Director approves temporary irrigation § 15.57.020(9).
Meet minimum planting sizes in Table A where applicable (canopy, understory, shrubs) § 15.57.020(8).
For parking lots of five+ spaces, show ≥5% landscaped area, distribution, and protective curbing per § 15.57.020(5)–(6). Glenn County Parking
Show screening for outdoor storage, service yards and trash (solid wall or six‑foot fence for larger areas) per § 15.56.110.
If abutting residential, include a 5‑ft planted buffer or a 6‑ft solid fence/masonry wall on the lot line and ensure any fence in front yards complies with the 3‑ft front‑yard cap § 15.57.020; § 15.51.090.
Be prepared to implement landscaping before final occupancy or post financial assurance (bonding) at 150% of cost per § 15.57.040–050.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Alternative landscape plans and director discretion	The Director can approve alternatives; this can change required widths or plant lists	Verify with Planning Director what alternatives are acceptable and get approvals in writing (§ 15.57.020–030).
Where fence height limits are applied (corner lots/front yard variations)	District chapters repeat slightly different front‑yard fence rules — could affect what you can build	Confirm the applicable district chapter for your parcel (e.g., § 15.37, § 15.38) and get a director interpretation.
Screening vs. fire/defensible‑space needs in WUI areas	Wildland‑Urban Interface fire rules may require non‑combustible materials or different setbacks that conflict with landscaping goals	Verify with County Fire and consult the 2025 Wildland‑Urban Interface Code for local WUI obligations; reconcile landscape plan with fire authority requirements.
Species lists & irrigation allowances	Code requires irrigation but doesn’t supply a county plant list in the retrieved materials	Ask Planning for an approved plant list or native species recommendations; confirm when temporary irrigation is allowed § 15.57.020(9).
Parcel-specific setbacks / required yard calculations	Some yard/setback rules reference other district tests (e.g., lot frontages partially in an R district) — measurement method affects landscaping placement	Verify exact lot lines, road centerline vs ROW edge measurement rules and which district controls your frontage. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain‑English summary

If you’re developing or changing use of property in unincorporated Glenn County, you almost always must submit a landscape plan and provide minimum landscaped strips, irrigation, and screening for parking, trash and outdoor storage; where commercial/industrial lots neighbor residences you must provide either a 5‑ft planted buffer or a 6‑ft solid fence/wall, and front‑yard fences are limited to about 3 ft tall. The controlling rules are in § 15.57 (landscaping) and performance standards in § 15.56, plus district chapters (e.g., § 15.37 R‑1, § 15.51 MP) that set specific fence/yard requirements.

Source References

Glenn County Unified Development Code, Title 15 (Unified Development Code / Zoning) — general applicability and scope § 15.01.
§ 15.57.010–050 (Landscaping standards: general requirements; standards; plan required; final inspection; bonding).
§ 15.56.110 (Open and outdoor storage; screening of trash/service areas; accumulation vehicles rules).
§ 15.37.100 (R‑1 walls and fences).
§ 15.38.110 (R‑M walls and fences).
§ 15.41.080 (Commercial zone walls and fences, site plan review applicability).
§ 15.44.080 (M — Industrial zone walls and fences and special provisions).
§ 15.51.090 (MP — Industrial Park yards and fence/wall requirement when abutting residential).
2025 California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code (referenced for WUI/fire‑safety landscaping implications) — consult local fire authority for implementation.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Glenn County Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (Chapter 15.44) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (section maybe) High relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (Chapter 15.22) High relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
CBC § 2 (§ 2) Medium relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (Section 15.77) Medium relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code Medium relevance
CBC § 2 (Section 15.77) Medium relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code Medium relevance
Glenn County Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Glenn County Unified Development Code, Title 15 (Unified Development Code / Zoning) — general applicability and scope **§ 15.01**. (Title 15)
**§ 15.57.010–050** (Landscaping standards: general requirements; standards; plan required; final inspection; bonding). (§ 15.57.010)
**§ 15.56.110** (Open and outdoor storage; screening of trash/service areas; accumulation vehicles rules). (§ 15.56.110)
**§ 15.37.100** (R‑1 walls and fences). (§ 15.37.100)
**§ 15.38.110** (R‑M walls and fences). (§ 15.38.110)
**§ 15.41.080** (Commercial zone walls and fences, site plan review applicability). (§ 15.41.080)
**§ 15.44.080** (M — Industrial zone walls and fences and special provisions). (§ 15.44.080)
**§ 15.51.090** (MP — Industrial Park yards and fence/wall requirement when abutting residential). (§ 15.51.090)
2025 California Wildland‑Urban Interface Code (referenced for WUI/fire‑safety landscaping implications) — consult local fire authority for implementation.
GlennCounty_ZoningCode.md
2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code.md

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping does Glenn County require for a commercial lot fronting a county road?

For commercial and industrial parcels the County requires a minimum 10‑foot planted strip from the edge of the county road right‑of‑way (reduced to 5 ft where curb/gutter/sidewalk exist), unless an alternative plan is approved by the review authority; see § 15.57.020(2).

If my industrial lot borders an R‑1 neighborhood, what screening is mandatory?

When an industrial or MP lot abuts a residential district the owner must provide either a 5‑ft planted area abutting the lot or construct a 6‑ft high solid masonry wall or solid wood fence at the lot line (with front‑yard limits on height extensions). See § 15.57.020(3)–(4) and § 15.51.090.

Do parking lots have to include landscaping?

Yes — if a parking lot contains five or more spaces and is visible from a street, at least 5% of the parking and driveway area (excluding required street frontage strips) must be landscaped and distributed through the lot; protective curbing or similar required around landscaped islands. § 15.57.020(5)–(6). Glenn County Parking

Are irrigation systems required for new landscaping?

Yes — the code requires drip irrigation or an in‑ground sprinkler system for required landscaping; if all plants are indigenous or drought‑resistant, temporary or portable irrigation may be allowed with Director approval (§ 15.57.020(9)).

Can I use chain‑link fencing for screening?

Chain‑link fencing is permitted only when accompanied by heavy landscaping that will screen it (the code specifically limits chain‑link to cases with heavy planting that will screen within about three years); for larger trash/service areas the preferred solution is a solid 6‑ft fence or masonry wall (§ 15.56.110).

What must be included with my landscape plan submittal?

A landscape plan must show location of all landscaped areas with species/sizes/spacing, existing trees to be retained, irrigation layout, and any additional info requested by the Director — plans are required at site plan or building‑permit stage (see § 15.57.030).

Do I have to install landscaping before occupancy?

Yes — landscaping required by an approved plan must be implemented and approved before occupancy (final). The County allows posting financial assurance (bonding at 150% of cost) for incomplete landscape work under § 15.57.040–050.

Are there restrictions on outdoor storage and screening requirements?

Yes — outdoor storage cannot be in required front yards and must be screened from public view; open/outdoor storage and operation yards are confined to rear areas and must be screened by walls, fencing, earthen mounds or landscaping approved with the landscape plan (§ 15.56.110).

If I have a home occupation, do I need to screen equipment/materials?

Home occupations must screen equipment and materials adjacent to residential zones with walls, fences or landscaping to a height of at least 6 ft in many cases (see home‑occupation rules and § 15.56 performance standards). Verify property‑specific requirements with the Director.

How does fire safety (WUI) interact with landscaping rules?

Wildland‑urban interface (WUI) and local fire authority requirements may impose non‑combustible buffers, fuel breaks or different planting and material rules that affect landscape design; consult the 2025 Wildland‑Urban Interface Code and the local fire authority for parcel‑specific requirements — reconcile these with county landscaping standards.

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