Local zoning · Grand Terrace

Grand Terrace — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Grand Terrace Zoning Code requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and street/parking trees. It is drawn from Title 18 (Zoning) and the multifamily specific chapter; each requirement below is traced to the controlling ordinance section. Use this as a code-focused reference — for project intake and plan preparation you will still file with the Planning Department and may need site-specific verification. See the city's general zoning overview for context and next steps: Grand Terrace zoning & planning overview.

How to read this page

  • Bolded terms and district names are the exact code labels used by the City (e.g., R1-20, CM, MR, M2).
  • The statutory source appears beside each rule as the section symbol and number (for example § 18.73.070) and is followed by a file-search citation to the retrieved ordinance material. Where the ordinance text available to us does not state a topic, the page explicitly says "Not found in retrieved materials" and flags the uncertainty.

District-by-district breakdown (landscaping & screening focus)

Note: the City establishes the zoning districts in § 18.09.020; the list below uses the City's exact district labels and calls out where specific landscaping/screening rules are located in Title 18. See the zoning map at the Planning counter to confirm district on a parcel. § 18.09.020

R1-20 (Very Low Density Single Family Residential)

  • Purpose: very low-density single-family housing (district name appears in § 18.09.020) .
  • Typical uses: single-family homes and accessory uses identified in the R chapters (see the code map). Specific district landscaping prescriptions for front-yard landscape setbacks are not found in the retrieved excerpts — general city rules apply: front yards must be landscaped and maintained (see § 18.73.210.B) .
  • Key development controls that affect landscaping/screening: fences and wall height rules § 18.73.070 (front yard fence limits), site & architectural review thresholds (any new construction over 6 ft triggers a land‑use application) § 18.63.020 .

R1-10 (Low Density Single Family Residential)

  • Same practical rules as R1-20 in Title 18 as regards fences, front-yard landscaping, and maintenance: front yards adjacent to a street must be landscaped (§ 18.73.210.B) and fences/walls are limited in height (§ 18.73.070) .
  • District-specific numeric setbacks or plant lists were Not found in retrieved materials.

R1-7.2, R2, R3, R3-S, R3-20, R3-24, RH (various residential densities)

  • Purpose & uses: the code establishes these residential bands in § 18.09.020; applicable landscaping/screening generally follows the common rules for yards, maintenance, and site review (see § 18.73.210, § 18.73.060, and § 18.63.010–.040) .
  • Multifamily projects are subject to the multifamily site design chapter — § 18.64.060 — that requires live planting coverage, minimum tree sizes, and specific walls/fences standards for multi-family sites (see below) .

BRSP (Barton Road Specific Plan) and GSP (The Gateway at Grand Terrace Specific Plan)

  • These are specific plan districts — specific-plan text supersedes general Title 18 where it addresses an issue (§ 18.20.010) .
  • The Gateway at Grand Terrace plan explicitly calls for “enhanced landscaping” in the public realm for that project area (§ 18.20.050) . For any parcel inside a specific plan, check the applicable specific‑plan chapter first.

AP (Administrative Professional Office), C2 (General Business), CM (Commercial Manufacturing), MR (Restricted Manufacturing), M2 (Industrial), PUB (Public Facilities)

  • Purpose & uses: non‑residential use tables are in § 18.27.010; those district abbreviations are the City’s exact labels. § 18.27.010 .
  • Key landscaping / screening controls (district-level):
    • CM: Site standards include a front yard with 5' landscape setback, lot depth/width minimums, and a requirement that outdoor storage adjacent to residential properties be set back 25 ft and be visually screened by a solid decorative masonry wall at least 6 ft high (see § 18.36.050–.060) .
    • MR: similar storage setback and screening rules; MR site standards include a 25 ft front yard with 10 ft landscape setback for certain conditions (§ 18.39.050–.060) .
    • M2: site standards mirror CM/MR on setbacks/landscape requirements and the same 25 ft adjacent-to-residential storage setback and 6 ft masonry screening requirement (§ 18.40.050–.060) .
  • Practical note: outdoor storage screening in nonresidential districts is consistently required to be masonry and at least 6 ft tall when adjacent to residences (see the district chapters above) .

Citywide, project-level standards that control landscaping & screening

These citywide rules are the most decision‑relevant items for applicants.

Standard / topic Requirement (plain) Code Reference
Front‑yard landscaping (street‑facing yards) Front yards adjacent to a street (and unfenced street sideyards) must be landscaped and kept neat/weed‑free; no commercial storage in required frontyards § 18.73.210.B
Fence/wall heights Solid front-yard fences/walls max 3 ft; open-design (wrought iron) may be up to 6 ft; side/rear fences minimum 6 ft, max 8 ft (measured from higher grade) § 18.73.070
Parking-area landscaping Minimum 5% of parking area landscaped; perimeter landscape area min 5 ft depth; one 15-gallon tree per 5 spaces; planters ≈ 75 sq ft min; tree wells 16 sq ft min; irrigation required § 18.60 (Off‑Street Parking; Table 18.60.040 / Landscaping)
Multifamily site landscaping Live planting must cover 75% of site where not paved; plantings installed at 50% maturity; trees min 36‑inch box (or 48‑inch for 20' canopy specimens); front‑setback fences/walls <= 3 ft § 18.64.060 and § 18.64.040
Outdoor storage screening (nonresidential) Outdoor storage adjacent to residential parcels: 25 ft setback and screening with solid decorative masonry wall not less than 6 ft high § 18.36.060, § 18.39.060, § 18.40.060
Screening of parking from streets/nearby lower‑intensity uses Parking lots must be screened from public streets & less intensive uses by low walls (≤ 3 ft) or solid fences (≤ 3 ft) or landscaping § 18.60 (parking landscaping & screening)
Landscape maintenance & LID / water rules Projects may be required to annex into the landscape & lighting maintenance district; multifamily & mixed‑use projects must meet water‑efficient landscape requirements and MWELO § 18.73.060; § 18.64.040
Site & architectural review considers landscaping Landscaping, walls/fences and screening are explicit review items under the Site & Architectural Review chapter § 18.63.030 and § 18.63.040

(See the cited sections for full wording and exceptions.)

Practical guidance and interpretations (plain-English synthesis)

  • If your project includes new or replacement fences: apply the height rules in § 18.73.070. A solid front-yard wall over 3 ft will need either an administrative adjustment or a clear finding through the site review process; side/rear solid walls are generally allowed up to 8 ft (measured from the higher grade) § 18.73.070 .
  • Multi-family developments have elevated landscape standards: expect to show planting schedules, tree box sizes (min 36‑inch box), irrigation (automatic system) and that 75% of non‑paved site area will be live planting (see § 18.64.060 and § 18.64.040) .
  • For commercial/industrial sites that border residences, the code explicitly requires 25‑foot set‑backs for outdoor storage and 6‑foot masonry screening — plan for masonry walls rather than temporary fencing (§ 18.36.060, § 18.39.060, § 18.40.060) .
  • Parking lots must be landscaped and irrigated: at least 5% of parking area, perimeter planters, tree spacing (one tree per 5 spaces) and planter size minima are mandatory; these influence layout and stormwater/LID design (§ 18.60) .
  • Where the code mentions “other landscape requirements” it defers to Chapter 18.61 (Landscape Requirements) — verify with the Planning Division for the full Chapter 18.61 text (Chapter reference found in § 18.64.060.4) .
  • Site & Architectural Review will evaluate landscaping, fencing, and screening along with setbacks, lighting, and parking; many minor fence/wall projects may be handled administratively but any new construction over 6 ft requires a land‑use application § 18.63.020 .

In addition to Title 18, utilities and water‑use rules (MWELO) and the City's street & parkway tree chapter (Municipal Code Chapter 12.28) apply to street trees and parkway planting (referenced in § 18.64.060 and § 18.64.040). See the city's development standards page for context: Grand Terrace Development Standards.

Checklist (what an applicant must show / satisfy)

  • Show district on the City zoning map and cite the underlying district (see § 18.09.020)
  • Include a landscape plan with plant list, quantities, sizes and irrigation details (trees at 36" box minimum for multifamily where required) § 18.64.060
  • Show parking lot landscape calculations demonstrating ≥5% landscaped area, perimeter planting 5 ft depth, planters 75 sq ft min, and tree spacing (1:5 ratio) § 18.60
  • Show fence/wall location, materials, and heights and confirm front-yard walls ≤ 3 ft or justify exception via site review § 18.73.070 and § 18.64.060
  • If outdoor storage abuts residential parcels, provide 25 ft setback and masonry wall detail (≥6 ft) § 18.36.060 / § 18.39.060 / § 18.40.060
  • For projects requiring Site & Architectural Review, submit full site plans showing landscaping, walls/fences and screening per § 18.63.040
  • Identify any required annexation to the Landscape & Lighting maintenance district and provide maintenance/HOA language if applicable § 18.73.060

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Exact plant palettes and species approvals City references species approvals in specific sections (e.g., antenna screening trees) but does not publish a full plant list in the retrieved excerpts Verify species lists and street‑tree requirements with the Community Development Dept.; Chapter 18.61 referenced for detailed landscape regs (not fully retrieved) § 18.64.060.4
Front‑yard fence/material allowances vs. design review The code allows varied fence materials in multifamily design standards but the front‑yard solid fence max is 3 ft under general rules — design review may require different materials or pilasters (§ 18.64.060 & § 18.73.070) Confirm if a proposed decorative wall exceeding 3 ft must go to Administrative Site Review or Planning Commission § 18.63.020
Specific plan overrides Specific plans (e.g., GSP, BRSP) may supersede Title 18 on landscaping and public‑realm design (§ 18.20.010) If your parcel is inside a specific plan, use the specific plan text first — contact Planning to confirm which standards apply § 18.20.010
Parking‑lot planter depth vs. vehicle overhang design The parking chapter allows reduced stall depth where vehicle overhangs into landscape are accommodated, but details require wheel stops and design justification § 18.60 (Table 18.60.040 notes) Show sections/elevations and wheel stops; an engineering review may be required § 18.60
Landscape maintenance and long‑term funding City may require annexation to the landscape & lighting district or CC&R language; failure to maintain is a public nuisance § 18.73.060; § 18.03.050 Confirm with the City whether annexation / assessment will be required as a condition of approval § 18.73.060

Plain-English Summary

Grand Terrace’s zoning code requires that street-facing yards be planted and maintained, parking lots include specific planter sizes and tree spacing, front-yard walls be low (generally 3 ft max), side/rear walls be limited to 8 ft, and commercial/industrial outdoor storage next to homes be set back and screened with masonry walls at least 6 ft high; multifamily projects have tighter planting and tree-size rules. See the cited ordinance sections and check with Planning for species lists, specific plan overrides, and maintenance/assessment requirements § 18.73.210, § 18.73.070, § 18.60, § 18.64.060 .

Source References

  • Title 18 — Zoning (district list): § 18.09.020
  • Fence & wall height: § 18.73.070
  • Public improvements / landscape maintenance district annexation: § 18.73.060
  • Front‑yard landscaping / yard maintenance: § 18.73.210
  • Off‑street parking landscaping and design standards (Table 18.60.040 and related landscaping rules): Chapter 18.60
  • Screening and outdoor storage (CM, MR, M2 chapters): § 18.36.060, § 18.39.060, § 18.40.060 (masonry wall and 25 ft storage setback adjacent to residential)
  • Multifamily landscaping / site design: § 18.64.060 and sustainability/water efficiency § 18.64.040 (tree box sizes, planting coverage, front-setback fence provisions)
  • Site & Architectural Review (landscape, walls/fences, review thresholds): Chapter 18.63 (e.g., § 18.63.020–.040)
  • Wireless facility screening (trees, size): § 18.71.040

Internal resources you may need (link to related planning topics on GoCodebook):

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (Chapter 18.73.070) High relevance
  • CBC § 10 (§ 10) High relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (section having) High relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (Title and) High relevance
  • CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 9 (§ 9) Medium relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (title in) Medium relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 10) Medium relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 11) Medium relevance
  • CFC § 4 (Chapter may) Medium relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance
  • California Building Code Medium relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Grand Terrace Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to build a fence in Grand Terrace?

If the fence or wall is new construction over 6 ft high you will trigger a land‑use application under Site & Architectural Review procedures; all fences/walls must meet the height/location rules (front-yard solid wall max 3 ft, open-design up to 6 ft, side/rear min 6 ft up to 8 ft) § 18.63.020; § 18.73.070

What are Grand Terrace’s parking-lot landscaping requirements?

Parking areas must provide at least 5% landscaped area, perimeter landscape strips 5 ft deep, planters at the ends of parking bays (min 75 sq ft), tree wells min 16 sq ft, and one 15‑gallon tree per 5 parking spaces; irrigation and curbs are required § 18.60 (Table 18.60.040, landscaping rules)

If my commercial site borders homes, how must outdoor storage be screened?

Outdoor storage adjacent to residential properties must be set back 25 ft and screened with a solid decorative masonry wall at least 6 ft in height (or by a building) established before the area is used for storage § 18.36.060; § 18.39.060; § 18.40.060

What are the rules for trees used as screening (size, spacing)?

For parking and multifamily landscaping the code sets minimum tree sizes: tree wells 16 sq ft and standard tree sizes such as 36‑inch box for required site trees (or 48‑inch for large canopy specimens in some multifamily standards) — see § 18.64.060 and § 18.60 for parking rules; for specialty screening (e.g., wireless facilities) the code even requires 48‑inch box evergreens unless otherwise approved § 18.64.060; § 18.60; § 18.71.040

Can a multifamily project use a taller front wall or fence as a design feature?

Walls and fences within the front setback are generally limited to 3 ft; multifamily design guidance lists acceptable fence types and finishes but any greater height or atypical material will need administrative site review or discretionary approval — check § 18.64.060 and § 18.63.020 for review authorities § 18.64.060; § 18.63.020

Does the City require me to pay for long‑term landscape maintenance?

The City may require annexation into the Landscape & Lighting Maintenance District as a condition of subdivision, conditional use permit, variance or site & architectural review approval; the City can also require maintenance language to be included in CC&Rs § 18.73.060

Where do I find the district definitions and exact zoning labels used by the City?

The zoning districts and their exact labels (for example R1-20, R1-10, C2, CM, MR, M2, GSP) are listed in § 18.09.020 (Districts established) — always confirm your parcel’s zone on the official zoning map at the Planning Department § 18.09.020

Are design review and landscape requirements separate processes?

Landscape, walls/fences and screening are explicit elements of the Site & Architectural Review process; many small projects (e.g., certain fences that comply with height rules) may be approved administratively while larger proposals go to the Site & Architectural Review Board § 18.63.010–.040; § 18.63.020

Does the Gateway Specific Plan change landscaping rules for that site?

Yes — the Gateway at Grand Terrace Specific Plan is adopted into Title 18 and directs “enhanced landscaping” and public‑realm treatments for parcels inside the plan area; where conflict exists, the specific plan controls the requirement § 18.20.050; § 18.20.010

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