Local zoning · Hercules

Hercules — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Hercules Zoning Ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and trees. It pulls directly from Hercules’s zoning text (Title 13) and translates the controlling rules (where they exist) into plain-English guidance for applicants and reviewers. For context on how these rules fit into broader work, see the city’s general Hercules zoning & planning overview and the specific Hercules Zoning menu.

Important: design review, planned development, overlay rules, and some parcel-specific engineering requirements also apply — see links to Hercules Design Review, Hercules Development Standards, and Hercules Overlay Districts below for how landscaping/screening are reviewed.

Citywide / General standards (applies to all districts)

  • Landscaping and irrigation requirements apply to most new or expanded development, including common areas in subdivisions, multifamily projects, commercial, industrial and mixed-use projects, and public grounds; exemptions are limited (e.g., minor additions to existing single-family homes, portions irrigating edible crops) — § 13-30.700 .
  • All landscaping must be installed and maintained per the approved plan; plantings used for screening or ornamentation must be replaced and maintained as needed — § 13-30.700(2–3) .
  • Fences, walls and hedges are permitted in all zoning districts but are subject to limits and special rules (visibility at intersections, prohibited fence types, and exceptions for public recreation/schools) — § 13-30.600, § 13-30.610 .
    • Maximum height in rear/side yards: 6 feet; in front yards (and street-side yard of corner lots within 20 ft of the front property line): 3 feet — § 13-30.610(1) .
    • Visibility triangle: no fence/wall/hedge over 3 feet within 35 feet of curb lines at intersections — § 13-30.610(7) .
    • Barbed wire near sidewalks and low wire fences close to sidewalks are prohibited — § 13-30.610(8) .
  • Landscaping plans must include irrigation design and a water budget; drip/bubbler systems are required for trees and other detailed irrigation standards are listed in the ordinance — § 13-30.700 (irrigation requirements) .
  • Paving/hardscape limits for residential yards: a minimum of 40% of front yard and of rear+side yards must be permeable landscaped area; driveway paving is limited to 35% of the front yard; special stormwater calculations are required in RS-L where impermeable surfacing exceeds thresholds — § 13-30.750 .
  • Screening for commercial/industrial uses (open storage, outdoor equipment, loading areas) is required with solid fence/wall, vine-covered chain-link with slats, or compact evergreen hedge of not less than 6 feet in height (and in some adjacencies up to 8 feet) — § 13-30.600 (screening standards) .

Practical note: many of these citywide rules are enforced at design review or as conditions on discretionary approvals; minor changes may be administratively approved but larger departures require Design Review or a Variance — see § 13-42.200 and § 13-51.300 .

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the districts and overlays where the code contains explicit landscaping/screening rules. Each subsection lists the district purpose, typical uses (as stated in the ordinance), key dimensional/landscaping standards, and where the rules apply.

P-M-H (Mobile Home Park) — purpose & landscaping focus

  • Purpose / typical uses: intended for mobile home park development; uses and permit requirements are listed in Table 13-7.1 (mobile homes, mobile home parks, accessory units subject to PDP/use permits) — § 13-7.400, § 13-7.500 .
  • Key development/dimensional standards: minimum site area 20 acres, density 7 units/acre, front/rear/side/corner side setbacks 15 ft, distance between units 10 ft, max site coverage 70%; landscaping minimums are implemented via the planned development process — § 13-7.500 (Table 13-7.2) .
  • Landscaping & screening requirements: the park perimeter must be screened with a decorative wall/fence with a minimum 5‑foot landscaped area along the interior of the wall; additionally a 10‑foot landscaped area is required between any adjoining public street or property and the screening wall/fence; one tree per mobile home coach is required; all non‑service/access areas must be permanently landscaped and maintained — § 13-7.300(6)(A–D) .
  • Where it applies: all properties zoned P-M-H and when establishing or substantially expanding mobile home parks — see § 13-7.300–13-7.500 .

WC (Waterfront Commercial) — shoreline buffers and habitat vegetation

  • Purpose / typical uses: visitor‑oriented recreation and waterfront commercial (marinas, piers, boating services), requires planned development/shoreline plans — § 13-17.200–13-17.400 .
  • Landscaping & buffers: requires a reasonable buffer between development and salt/mud flats, revegetation in sensitive shoreline areas (prefer native, low‑irrigation species), and protection of view corridors; landscaping is part of the planned development plan (revegetation and erosion control plans are required) — § 13-17.300(2,3) .
  • Where it applies: properties within the WC district and when a planned development or redevelopment is proposed near shoreline/habitat areas — § 13-17.300 .

Scenic Road and Highway Overlay — design-sensitive landscaping

  • Purpose / typical uses: an overlay that augments underlying district rules to protect scenic corridors — § 13-25.200–13-25.600 .
  • Landscaping & screening: requires aesthetically attractive landscaping—landscaped front/side yards with groundcover and trees, landscaped/screened parking, and plaza/open space entries; also discourages landscaping that would block scenic views and limits unscreened parking areas — § 13-25.400(2) .
  • Where it applies: properties inside the scenic overlay boundary; overlay rules are additive and the more restrictive regulation prevails — § 13-25.600 .

H (Historic Preservation / H District)

  • Purpose / typical uses: to preserve historic character; the Planning Commission serves as the Historic Architectural Review Board — § 13-20.400 .
  • Landscaping & screening: exterior alterations and site plans in the H district are reviewed for historic appropriateness, including landscaping, fencing and screening treatment; the ordinance directs use of adopted Historic Preservation Design Guidelines for details — § 13-20.400–13-20.600 .
  • Where it applies: to properties designated within the H district; applicants must submit landscaping and fence details with applications to the Board — § 13-20.600 .

NTC (Neighborhood / Transit‑Oriented Town Center)

  • Purpose / typical uses: higher‑density, mixed‑use, transit-oriented center (mixed residential, commercial, office) — § 13-18.100–13-18.300 .
  • Landscaping & buffering: new development must balance open space, landscaping, and provide buffers for noise, light and glare; landscape is an explicit performance standard to support walkability and attractive frontages — § 13-18.200–13-18.300 .
  • Where it applies: properties inside the NTC zone and subject to design review and planned development rules — § 13-18.200 .

Additional: Planned Development and Minor Modifications

  • Final planned development plans include detailed landscaping, signage, and exterior lighting; the final plan and design review must be approved prior to building permits — § 13-48.200–13-48.300 .
  • Minor modifications can be approved administratively for landscaping that does not alter the approved theme — § 13-46.300(5) .

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant landscaping / screening standards

Topic Key standard (plain English) Code Reference
Fence/wall height (rear/side) Max 6 ft (standard) § 13-30.610(1)
Fence/wall height (front & corner within 20 ft) Max 3 ft § 13-30.610(1)
Intersection visibility No > 3 ft high obstructions within 35 ft of curb lines § 13-30.610(7)
Commercial/industrial screening Solid wall/hedge or vine-covered chain link, ≥ 6 ft (up to 8 ft in some adjacencies) § 13-30.600 (screening rules)
Front yard permeability (residential) At least 40% of front yard must be permeable landscaped area § 13-30.750(A)(3)
Driveway paving limit (front yard) Max 35% of front yard area § 13-30.750(A)(1)
Rear+side yard permeable min At least 40% permeable landscaped area (rear+side combined) § 13-30.750(B)(2)
Mobile home park buffer 5 ft interior landscaped strip + 10 ft landscaped strip between street/property and screening wall; 1 tree per coach § 13-7.300(6)(A–C)
Irrigation and water budget Detailed irrigation design, drip/bubbler required for trees, rain shutoff, controller programming, water budget required § 13-30.700 (irrigation sub-reqs)
Tree removal rules Tree removal is regulated separately under Title 4, Chapter 15 Mentioned in § 13-30 (trees) — Title 4, Ch. 15 (see City code)

Checklist

  • Confirm base zoning and any applicable overlays for the parcel (H, NTC, WC, P‑M‑H, scenic overlay, etc.) — verify which district's rules apply. (See Hercules Zoning.)
  • Prepare a landscape plan showing quantity/location of trees, groundcover, hedges, walls/fences, irrigation layout, and maintenance plan; include a water budget and valve/circuit schedule per § 13‑30.700 .
  • Confirm fence/wall heights and location relative to visibility triangles and front-yard limits (§ 13‑30.610) .
  • If commercial/industrial with outdoor storage or loading, include screening details meeting ≥ 6 ft screening standard (§ 13‑30.600) .
  • For mobile home parks, incorporate 5 ft interior landscaped strips, 10 ft exterior landscaped strips adjacent to streets, and 1 tree per coach into the plan (§ 13‑7.300) .
  • Show permeable surface calculations for front, rear and side yards (residential) and confirm compliance with 40% minimum landscaping and driveway 35% limit (§ 13‑30.750) .
  • Determine if Design Review or Planned Development approval is required and submit landscape details accordingly (see Hercules Design Review and § 13‑42.200) .
  • If tree removal is proposed, check Title 4, Chapter 15 (City tree removal rules) and obtain any required permits — Title 4, Ch. 15 referenced in § 13‑30 .
  • If parcel is in RS‑L and impermeable surfaces exceed thresholds, prepare engineering stormwater calculations for City Engineer review (§ 13‑30.750(C)) .
  • Verify whether any minor modification procedures apply for small landscaping changes (§ 13‑46.300(5)) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Design review applicability Landscaping, fences and exterior alterations often trigger Design Review; missing this can delay permits Verify whether project is "new or expanded development" subject to § 13‑42.200 and include design review submittal items
Fence height exceptions (schools, recreation) Higher fences are allowed in narrow circumstances (e.g., school play, recreation courts) but require specific construction materials and review Confirm exception criteria and whether Design Review is required under § 13‑30.610(3)
Overlay/district conflicts Overlays (scenic, waterfront, H district) add standards that may be more restrictive than base zoning Determine all overlays and apply the more restrictive standard per § 13‑25.600
Tree removal vs. landscaping plan Landscaping plan may propose removals, but tree removal is governed separately (Title 4, Ch. 15) Check Title 4, Chapter 15 and obtain permits where required (referenced in § 13‑30 )
Parcel-specific stormwater thresholds (RS‑L) RS‑L has a defined impermeable surfacing threshold triggering engineering review — failure to provide calculations can block approvals Confirm RS‑L status and provide civil engineer stormwater calcs per § 13‑30.750(C)
ADU landscaping requirements The zoning code addresses "accessory structures" and landscaping generally, but the specific ADU landscaping rule is not detailed here Verify ADU-specific landscaping requirements with the jurisdiction; not found in retrieved materials
Historic district design details The H district mandates review of landscaping but detailed standards live outside the zoning text Use the Historic Preservation Design Guidelines referenced by § 13‑20.500 and verify with Historic Board

Plain-English Summary

Hercules requires new and most expanded projects to submit a landscape and irrigation plan that meets city irrigation, planting, screening, and maintenance standards; fences are generally limited to 6 ft in rear/side yards and 3 ft in front yards; commercial and industrial outdoor storage and loading areas must be screened ≥ 6 ft; special districts (mobile home parks, waterfront, scenic, historic, NTC) add their own requirements — see the cited ordinance sections for the exact rules and plan submittal needs (§ 13‑30.600, § 13‑30.610, § 13‑30.700, § 13‑7.300).

Source References

  • Hercules Zoning Ordinance — Fences/Walls/Hedges: § 13-30.600, § 13-30.610
  • Hercules Zoning Ordinance — Landscaped Areas & Irrigation: § 13-30.700 (irrigation sub-requirements)
  • Hercules Zoning Ordinance — Residential Paving & Permeable Landscaping: § 13-30.750
  • Hercules Zoning Ordinance — Mobile Home Park standards including landscaping/screening: § 13-7.300, § 13-7.500 (Table 13-7.2)
  • Hercules Zoning Ordinance — Scenic Road & Highway Overlay landscaping: § 13-25.400
  • Hercules Zoning Ordinance — Historic (H) district review of landscaping: § 13-20.400–13-20.600 (Historic Preservation Design Guidelines referenced)
  • Hercules Zoning Ordinance — Design Review applicability: § 13-42.200
  • Hercules Zoning Ordinance — Minor modifications and landscaping: § 13-46.300(5)
  • Hercules Municipal Code (tree removal referenced): Title 4, Chapter 15 — referenced in § 13-30
  • Historic Preservation Design Guidelines (as referenced by the H district): https://www.ci.hercules.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=198

Inline pages used for contextual links on this page:

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Hercules Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (Section may) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (Section and) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (Chapter 13-42) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (Chapter 13-46) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Hercules Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What are the maximum fence heights in Hercules?

Standard maximums: 6 ft in required rear and side yards and 3 ft in required front yards (and along the street side of a corner lot within 20 ft of the front property line). Exceptions (e.g., recreation courts, schools) exist but may require design review and specific construction types — § 13-30.610 .

Do I need a landscaping plan for a new commercial or multifamily project in Hercules?

Yes — all new or expanded development (commercial, industrial, multifamily, and many single‑family subdivisions/common areas) must submit a landscape and irrigation plan meeting the ordinance irrigation and water‑budget requirements — § 13-30.700 .

How much of my residential front yard must be landscaped (not paved)?

At least 40% of the front yard must be a permeable landscaped area (excluding pavers/bricks and other hard surfaces) for all residential properties — § 13-30.750(A)(3) .

If my commercial site stores equipment outdoors, what screening is required?

Open storage or certain commercial/industrial activities that are not fully enclosed must be screened with a solid fence/wall, vine-covered chain-link with slats, or a compact evergreen hedge not less than 6 ft in height (up to 8 ft where adjacent to residential or as otherwise required) — § 13-30.600(5) .

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

Yes — the P‑M‑H district requires perimeter screening with a decorative wall/fence plus a minimum 5‑ft landscaped interior strip and a 10‑ft landscaped strip between streets/property and the screening wall; one tree per mobile home coach is required; all non‑service areas are to be permanently landscaped — § 13-7.300(6)(A–D) .

Do I need design review for fences, walls or landscaping changes?

Most new buildings, fences, walls, and other exterior alterations are subject to design review; minor additions to single‑family homes, accessory structures, or fences may be approved by the Community Development Director — § 13-42.200 .

What irrigation/planting details does the city require on landscape plans?

Landscape plans must show valve/circuit separation by water use, drip/bubbler for trees, matched precipitation sprinkler head rates, controllers with multiple cycle programming, rain shutoff, and a water budget (annual gallons, irrigated area, monthly schedule) — § 13-30.700 (irrigation sub-requirements) .

Are there special rules for properties in the Scenic Road & Highway Overlay?

Yes — landscaping within the scenic overlay must be aesthetically attractive, soften building edges, screen parking, provide plazas/open space entries, and avoid planting that blocks scenic views; overlay rules are additive to the base zoning and the more restrictive rule applies — § 13-25.400, § 13-25.600 .

Do I need to worry about tree removal permits when preparing a landscape plan?

Yes — tree removal regulations are contained in Title 4, Chapter 15 of the Municipal Code and apply separately from the zoning landscaping requirements; verify tree permit needs early in the process — referenced in § 13-30 .

If I plan an ADU, are there landscaping requirements specific to ADUs?

The zoning ordinance requires landscaping for many accessory structures in the context of development and design review, but ADU‑specific landscaping rules are not detailed in the retrieved zoning excerpts — verify ADU landscaping requirements with the City and consult Hercules ADUs. Not found in retrieved materials.

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