Local zoning · Hollister

Hollister — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Hollister Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and trees. It pulls the citywide design standards (plant sizes, irrigation, parkway trees), fencing and screening height limits and materials, and district-level supplemental rules that change how those standards apply in R1, DMU, NG, M1, and IBP areas. Verify parcel‑specific interpretations with the City; where the code is silent I note that fact. See the city rules for site plan review and design review procedures and required landscape plan submittals.

How to read this page

  • Bolded terms show the city’s actual zoning district names and numeric standards (for example, R1, 36 inches, 8 feet).
  • The text repeatedly cites the controlling ordinance section with the § glyph and a file citation from the uploaded Hollister Zoning Code excerpts (so you can trace each rule to the source).

Citywide controls (what applies everywhere)

  • A formal landscape plan is required as part of development review (Site & Architectural Review, Conditional Use Permit, or Subdivision Map) and a final, compliant landscape/irrigation plan must be submitted with building, grading, or stormwater permit applications; the landscape rules implement water‑efficiency requirements. See § 17.16.080.

  • Minimum planting and material rules (plant sizes, mix, irrigation):

    • Trees: a project must provide trees throughout street-facing and public-view areas at a rate of at least one tree per 30 linear feet of structure wall or street frontage. See § 17.16.080(D)(2).
    • Minimum plant material sizes and coverage are specified (for example: 24‑inch box / 15‑gallon trees splits; shrubs 5‑gallon/1‑gallon mixes; 100% groundcover within 1 year). See § 17.16.080(D)(9).
    • Landscape strip widths: minimum six to eight feet (excluding curbs) for landscape areas counted toward minimum coverage; narrower strips may be allowed but do not count toward coverage. See § 17.16.080(D)(3).

  • Irrigation / maintenance: automatic irrigation is required for all single‑family, multi‑family, commercial and industrial landscaping; plantings must be drought‑tolerant and appropriate to site conditions and utility clearance. See § 17.16.080(D)(14–16).

  • Parking landscaping and screening:

    • Required parking-area landscaping minimum: 10% of the total off‑street parking area (to provide 40% shade coverage at maturity or within five years). See § 17.18 (Parking standards, Landscaping subsection I).
    • Parking areas shall be screened to a minimum height of 36 inches from the top of curb (by landscaping, mounding, decorative fence/wall, or combination). See § 17.16.080 (Landscaping standards) and § 17.16.050 (where screening heights and fence limits are specified).

  • Screening non‑residential uses next to residential uses: Where a commercial or industrial use abuts a residential zoning district, the code requires a screen of either planting or a decorative masonry/durable wall up to 8 feet in height, with a minimum five‑foot landscaping strip adjacent to the wall; treatment on both sides of the wall is required. See § 17.16.050(F)(1)(a–c).

  • Materials & prohibited fences: Sheet/corrugated iron, steel, aluminum, bamboo, asbestos and barbed/razor/electrified wire are prohibited as perimeter materials; ornamental exceptions may be approved by the Director. See § 17.16.050(E–G).

  • Retaining walls and benches: Retaining walls > 48 inches must be benched so no single wall exceeds 36 inches; wood retaining walls are prohibited. Retaining walls > 2 feet require administrative engineering approval. See § 17.16.050(B)(2) and § 17.16.050(E–F).

  • Parkway / street trees: Street trees must come from the City’s Master Tree List and be planted to city spacing/installation standards (single‑family lots generally require one street tree per frontage; spacing and installation details in § 17.16.080(E)). See § 17.16.080(E).

  • Stormwater and multi‑use landscape: Landscaping must support detention and BMPs (rain gardens, swales, permeable paving encouraged); replacement of required landscape with impervious surface is prohibited except by Administrative Permit. See § 17.16.080(C–D)(25).

  • Application timing: a conceptual landscaping plan is required with the development application; the detailed landscape/irrigation plan (complying with Chapter 15.22 Water Efficient Landscape) is submitted with the permit package. See § 17.16.080(B).

(For landscape plan triggers and review, also check the city’s development standards and design review procedures.)

District-by-district breakdown

Note: each district subsection states the Hollister district name, the purpose of that district in the Zoning Ordinance, examples of typical uses, and the landscaping/screening standards that specifically apply there. For parcel‑specific application, verify with the City (the Director and DRC/Planning Commission have discretionary roles).

R1 (Low Density Residential)

  • Purpose / typical uses: single‑family homes in low‑density neighborhoods; regulated to preserve neighborhood character. See Table 17.04‑4 for yard standards. § 17.04.
  • Landscaping/screening highlights:
    • All single‑family projects must provide a combination of trees, shrubs, groundcover, and automatic irrigation in the front yard and visible side yards. See § 17.16.080(D)(17).
    • Street tree spacing: typically one tree per street frontage (special rules for monolithic curbs). See § 17.16.080(E)(1)(a).
    • Fence/retaining wall height: front‑yard fences limited to 3 feet (or 4 feet with City Engineer approval in defined situations); side/rear yard fences up to 6 feet; corner lot street‑side exceptions detailed in § 17.16.050 (see Table 17.16‑1).

Practical note: Small residential projects often avoid Planning Commission review, but a landscape/irrigation plan is still required and will be checked for tree species and irrigation compliance. See ADUs guidance for front/side yard visibility and screening expectations.

DMU (Downtown Mixed Use)

  • Purpose / typical uses: dense mixed commercial/residential center, pedestrian oriented. See § 17.08.050 for mixed‑use supplemental standards.
  • Landscaping/screening highlights:
    • The code allows an exception to some landscaping requirements in the Downtown Mixed‑Use where a building fronts directly on a city sidewalk or alley (i.e., active street frontage can substitute for a landscape strip). See § 17.16.080(G) (Downtown exception).
    • Parking is encouraged behind buildings; where parking is visible, perimeter landscaping and screening to the 36‑inch standard and parking lot tree ratios are applied. See § 17.18(I) and § 17.16.080.

Practical note: In DMU the City emphasizes urban‑scale plantings, plazas and pedestrian amenities (link to design review).

NG (North Gateway)

  • Purpose / typical uses: large‑scale regional commercial and office parks along the Highway 25 gateway. See § 17.08.040 (NG supplemental standards).
  • Landscaping/screening highlights:
    • 20‑foot wide landscape corridor with a double row of trees along Highway 25 (with specific species and spacing: one 15‑gallon tree per 20 lineal feet is cited for the gateway edge) to create the city entry statement. See § 17.08.040(C)(4–5).
    • Larger sites are expected to prepare master architectural, landscaping, lighting and sign programs; landscape corridors and screening for parking/loading areas above road elevation are required. See § 17.08.040(B–6).

Practical note: NG projects are reviewed at higher design standards; coordinate early with the Development Review Committee for master landscape plans and species selection.

M1 (Light Industrial)

  • Purpose / typical uses: light manufacturing, warehousing; development standards summarized in Table 17.10‑2. See § 17.10.030.
  • Landscaping/screening highlights:
    • Minimum lot‑level landscaping: 10% (for parcels under 15,000 sq ft, and same for parcels 15,000+ in the M1/IBP table) per Table 17.10‑2. See § 17.10.030 (Table 17.10‑2).
    • Outdoor storage and loading that abuts residential zoning must be screened (see the 8‑foot masonry wall standard under § 17.16.050(F)) and outdoor storage areas shall be enclosed; screening and location restrictions apply in the reuse of industrial sites. See § 17.16.050(F) and recycling/processing facility standards.

IBP (Industrial Business Park)

  • Purpose / typical uses: business park, offices with compatible industrial uses; IBP has site‑specific landscape standards in addition to the citywide rules. See § 17.10.030 and the IBP supplemental excerpt.
  • Landscaping/screening highlights (IBP supplements):
    • A minimum 35‑foot landscaped area from back of curb to structures or parking areas is required in some IBP development reviews (or other area required by Site & Architectural Review). See the IBP landscaping standard and § 17.16.080 for the plan requirements. § 17.10.030 (IBP table) together with the IBP excerpt set planting expectations.
    • Parking screening 36 inches and tree spacing inside parking areas (trees at least 5 feet tall; one tree per three parking spaces fronting a landscape strip; one landscaped island per ten spaces) are specified for IBP parking areas. See IBP landscaping requirements and general landscape standards § 17.16.080.

At‑a‑glance standards table

Requirement Hollister standard Code reference
Landscape plan required with development application Conceptual plan with application; final plan with permits; comply with Water Efficient Landscape chapter § 17.16.080(B)
Parking-area landscaping Minimum 10% of parking area; 40% shade at maturity (or 5 years) § 17.18(I)(1–2)
Parking screening height Minimum 36 inches from top of curb (landscaping/mounding/wall) § 17.16.080 / IBP supplement
Commercial/industrial adjacent to residential Screen with planting or decorative masonry wall (8 ft) + 5 ft planting strip § 17.16.050(F)(1)(a–c)
Front‑yard fence height (residential) 3 ft (or 4 ft with City Engineer approval in some front setbacks) Table 17.16‑1 / § 17.16.050(C)
Side/rear fence height 6 ft (plus up to 2 ft lattice appearance) solid fences >6 ft not permitted Table 17.16‑1 / § 17.16.050(C–E)
IBP frontage landscape strip 35 ft from back of curb to structures or parking (IBP standard; can be modified by Site & Architectural Review) IBP standards; § 17.10.030 and § 17.16.080
Industrial / IBP lot landscaping minimum 10% of lot area (parcels < & ≥ 15,000 sq ft as table shows) Table 17.10‑2 § 17.10.030

Checklist

  • Submit a conceptual landscaping plan with your Site & Architectural Review / CUP / subdivision application (per § 17.16.080(B)).
  • Provide final landscape and irrigation plans complying with Chapter 15.22 (Water Efficient Landscape) when you apply for building/grading/stormwater permits (see § 17.16.080(B–C)).
  • Show species, plant sizes and mix to meet minimum plant material characteristics (e.g., 24‑inch box / 15‑gallon, shrub mix, groundcover coverage) as in § 17.16.080(D)(9–10).
  • Show automatic irrigation zones for all required landscaped areas and demonstrate long‑term maintenance plan (see § 17.16.080(D)(14)).
  • If your project adjoins residential zoning and is nonresidential, include an 8‑foot decorative masonry/durable wall or equivalent planting screen plus a 5‑foot planting strip (per § 17.16.050(F)).
  • For parking, provide the required 10% landscaped area and show planting islands/trees at the required spacing and 36‑inch perimeter screening where visible (see § 17.18(I) and § 17.16.080).
  • Ensure fences and walls obey height, material and visibility limits and show retaining wall benches where required (see § 17.16.050).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Front‑yard fence height exceptions The City Engineer can approve higher front fences tied to setback distance; variable measurement lines can be confusing Confirm the exact frontage setback, request City Engineer interpretation and any required sight‑distance assessment (§ 17.16.050(C–D)).
Where IBP “35‑ft” corridor applies The IBP excerpt references 35 ft from back of curb in some cases but allows Site & Architectural Review to modify Confirm whether your parcel sits in the part of IBP the supplemental language governs and whether the DRC will require the full corridor (IBP standards + § 17.16.080).
Tree species vs. utilities / solar access Code prohibits planting that will interfere with utility lines or solar access; species selection can be constrained Use City’s Master Tree List and coordinate with utilities; show mature tree canopy and clearance on plan (§ 17.16.080(D)(4–5)).
Industrial outdoor storage screening Multiple sections require screening (36 in parking; 6 ft for outdoor storage; 8 ft next to residential) — confusion possible on which applies Check the applicable standard for the specific use and adjacency (see § 17.16.080; § 17.16.050(F); verify with Planning staff).
Retaining wall height measurement “Benched” retaining walls and prohibition on wood walls create engineering design constraints Coordinate with City Engineering early for benching requirement and allowable wall materials (§ 17.16.050(B)(6)).

Plain‑English summary

Hollister requires a landscape plan with most new developments, wants trees and drought‑tolerant plantings, requires parking and outdoor storage to be visually screened (commonly 36 inches for parking and up to 8 feet of wall between industrial/commercial and homes), limits fence and retaining wall materials and heights, and expects irrigation and maintenance commitments — see the listed code sections for the exact triggers and numbers. Verify site‑specific applicability with city staff. § 17.16.080 and § 17.16.050 are the two main sections to read first.

Source References

  • Hollister Zoning Ordinance — Title 17, Chapter 17.16 (Fencing, Screening and Walls), cited as § 17.16.050.
  • Hollister Zoning Ordinance — Title 17, Chapter 17.16 (Landscaping design and standards), cited as § 17.16.080.
  • Hollister Zoning Ordinance — Table 17.10‑2 and Industrial general standards (M1 / IBP), § 17.10.030.
  • Hollister Zoning Ordinance — North Gateway supplemental standards, § 17.08.040.
  • Hollister Zoning Ordinance — Parking standards (including parking landscaping), Chapter 17.18 (see subsection I).
  • Hollister Zoning Ordinance excerpts (compiled PDF of Title 17 provided by user; source shows library.municode.com as origin).

Also consult Hollister topic pages for related procedures and context:

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Hollister Zoning Code (Section 17.16.080) High relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (section implements) High relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code High relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • California Building Code High relevance
  • CBC § 2 (§ 2) High relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code High relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (Section 17.16.080) Medium relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
  • CFC § 2 (Section 17.16.060) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 17.18.120 (Chapter 17.18) Medium relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (Chapter 17.22) Medium relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (Section 17.24.190) Medium relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code High relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Hollister Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What basic landscaping plan do I need for a new home or addition in Hollister?

You must include a conceptual landscape plan with your development application and submit a final water‑efficient landscape and irrigation plan when you apply for building or grading permits; the requirements and minimum plant sizes are in § 17.16.080.

How tall can a fence be in a front yard in Hollister?

A front‑yard fence is limited to 3 feet in height (with limited situations allowing 4 feet after City Engineer approval); side and rear yard fences can be 6 feet high (with allowances for lattice visibility), per § 17.16.050 and Table 17.16‑1.

Do I need to screen parking or outdoor storage?

Yes. Parking areas require landscaped screening and a minimum amount of parking‑area landscaping (10% of parking area; perimeter screens of 36 inches where specified), and outdoor storage must be screened — industrial/commercial uses next to residences typically require an 8‑foot masonry wall plus a 5‑foot planting strip. See § 17.18(I) and § 17.16.050(F).

What tree spacing and sizes does Hollister require?

Citywide landscaping calls for one tree per 30 linear feet of street frontage or structure wall; minimum plant sizes and mixes (e.g., 24‑inch box / 15‑gallon tree percentages, shrub sizes and 100% groundcover within 1 year) are in § 17.16.080(D)(2,9).

Are there special landscape rules for the North Gateway (NG) area?

Yes — NG requires higher design standards: a 20‑foot landscape corridor and a double row of trees along the Highway 25 entry, with one 15‑gallon tree per 20 lineal feet as part of the gateway treatment; master landscaping/sign programs are encouraged for large parcels. See § 17.08.040(C)(4–6).

Can chain link fence be used to screen outdoor storage?

Chain link fencing (with or without slatting) is generally not permitted as the required permanent screening for outdoor storage; the code prefers solid masonry walls, berms, or landscaping for screening. See § 17.16.050 and the screening standards.

If my commercial project directly fronts the sidewalk downtown, can I skip landscaping?

In the Downtown Mixed‑Use district there is an exception where required landscape can be waived if the building fronts a city sidewalk or alley and achieves pedestrian frontage improvements; confirm with Site & Architectural Review. See the Downtown exception in § 17.16.080(G).

Who approves higher fences, retaining walls, or deviations to landscaping widths?

Administrative approvals (City Engineer or Director) or discretionary review (Planning Commission/DRC) are used depending on the deviation requested; fences/walls exceeding district height limits typically require an Administrative Permit and retaining walls > 2 feet need engineering approval. See § 17.16.050(B–C).

Where in the code are industrial landscaping minimums shown?

Industrial landscaping minimum percentages and dimensional standards for M1 and IBP are in Table 17.10‑2 within § 17.10.030 (example: 10% minimum landscaping shown).

Does Hollister regulate tree species and street trees?

Yes — street trees must be from the City’s Master Tree List and planted to city standards; species selection must avoid interference with utilities, lighting, sight triangles and solar access. See § 17.16.080(E) and § 17.16.080(D)(4). ---

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