Local zoning · Humboldt County

Humboldt County — Landscaping and Screening

Q: Does the county require a landscaped strip between parking lots and streets?

Yes — if a parking lot for five cars is within 20 ft of a street property line, provide a landscaped strip at least 5 ft wide between the parking lot and the street, with a 3‑ft‑high fence, berm, wall or hedge at the edge closest to the parking lot § 31.1.6.3.5 . The Planning Commission may also require parking lot landscaping equal to ≥ 2% of the total parking area § 109.1.6.2 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Humboldt County Zoning Regulations require for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and related planting/maintenance in the unincorporated areas of Humboldt County. It quotes the controlling code sections (by § number) and interprets how they apply to common project types (parking areas, manufactured‑home parks, special occupancy parks, wireless facilities, rights‑of‑way, etc.). For procedural requirements tied to site design and submittals see the county zoning & planning overview and design review pages.

Key county rules (what actually appears in the code)

Permanent screening and required landscaping appear as discrete, use‑specific standards (for example, Manufactured Home Parks, Special Occupancy Parks, and Wireless Telecommunications Facilities) and as discretionary requirements applied through project review (design review, use permits, or Planning Commission conditions). See the application checklist items that require “proposed landscaping, fencing and screening” submittals § 33.1.3.9.7 and related design‑review standards § 91.2.8.3.5 .
Off‑street parking landscaping and parking‑edge screening are regulated (minimum landscaped strip widths and screening heights, and a percentage area target for parking lot landscaping) § 31.1.6.3.5, § 31.1.6.3.6, and § 109.1.6.2 .
The code treats particular uses (manufactured‑home parks, special occupancy parks, wireless facilities, railroad ROWs) with explicit screening/landscaping/fence provisions; these are enforceable development standards, not just guidance § 107.1.3.6, § 113.1.3.4, § 91.2.7.4.1.4–.5, § 33.2.3.3 .

Below is a district‑by‑district breakdown with the specific Humboldt County code references and plain‑English guidance.

MU1: Mixed Use (Urban) — § 314‑9.1

Purpose & where it applies: The MU1 zone is for pedestrian‑oriented mixed commercial/residential development in specified unincorporated community areas; see the MU1 use and development table § 314‑9.1 .
Typical permitted uses: residences (including Accessory Dwelling Units), retail, offices, neighborhood commercial and limited civic uses; ADUs are expressly listed as permitted uses in MU1 § 314‑9.1 . (For ADU rules also check California ADU law.)
Landscaping & screening standards that affect MU1 projects: MU1 does not contain a separate universal landscape standard, but projects within MU1 are routinely required to show landscaping and screening as part of design review or parking requirements. The code requires submittal of proposed landscaping as part of project application materials § 33.1.3.9.7 and parking landscaping may be required (see parking links below) § 109.1.6.2 .
Practical guidance: Expect the Planning Division or Design Review to require a landscape plan that addresses pedestrian frontage, parking lot islands, and privacy screening to adjacent residential zones; consult the county Development Standards and be ready to show maintenance commitments.

Manufactured Home Park development standards — § 107.1.3.6

Purpose & where it applies: Rules apply to manufactured home parks in unincorporated areas regulated under the Code’s manufactured home park standards § 107.1.3 .
Key screening/landscaping standards:
- An ornamental, sight‑obscuring fence, wall, or planting with a minimum height of six (6) feet is required along boundaries abutting public roads or property lines § 107.1.3.6.1 .
- All non‑circulation/parking/recreation/service areas must be permanently landscaped and maintained § 107.1.3.6.2 .
Practical guidance: If proposing a manufactured home park, include a planting/fence plan showing 6‑ft screening at edges and long‑term maintenance responsibility.

Special Occupancy Parks (campgrounds, RV parks) — § 113.1.3.4 and § 113.1.3.8

Purpose & where it applies: Special occupancy parks (campgrounds, RV parks) rules apply countywide where such parks are allowed and are intended to protect surrounding properties § 113.1.1 – .3 .
Key screening/landscaping standards:
- Exterior boundaries shall be enclosed by appropriate decorative screening or landscaping; screens in a front yard must be at or behind the required setback § 113.1.3.4 .
- Setbacks not used for circulation, parking, buildings, or service areas shall be landscaped per the Use Permit conditions; walls, berms, and buffer strips are recommended where noise (e.g., freeway) mitigation is needed § 113.1.3.8 .
Practical guidance: Expect the County to tie landscaping to the Use Permit conditions; note that screening placed forward of the setback can be rejected.

Railroad Rights‑of‑Way Protection Combining Zone (RR) — § 33.2

Purpose & where it applies: The RR combining zone protects rail corridors and their function; it appears as a combining overlay on specific parcels identified in the General Plan mapping § 33.2.1–.2 .
Relevant landscaping rule: Management and maintenance of trees, shrubs, and plant life within the RR zone must be consistent with the Zoning Regulations and other Humboldt County Code provisions § 33.2.3.3 .
Practical guidance: Projects affecting the rail ROW must coordinate plantings to avoid encroachment on rights‑of‑way and must follow any additional agreements with the rail authority.

Wireless Telecommunications Facilities (non‑small cell) — § 91.2.7

Purpose & where it applies: Standards for non‑small cell wireless facilities design to limit visual impacts in unincorporated county areas § 91.2.7 .
Key screening/landscaping standards:
- Facilities should visually blend into site using landscaping with native species, stealth design, or integration into architecture § 91.2.7.4.1.4–.5 .
- Base stations must be screened from public sidewalks, streets, trails and adjacent properties by undergrounding, native landscaping or other means (excluding new walls and fences), or painted as a mural § 91.2.7.4.3 .
- Chain‑link fences for security are allowed only if fully screened by landscaping; razor/barbed wire is prohibited § 91.2.7.4.4 .
- Design review submittals for Tier 2/3 facilities must include a native vegetation landscaping plan and visual impact analysis § 91.2.8.3.5 .
Practical guidance: Expect detailed photo simulations and plant selection justification; native species at maturity must achieve the intended screening.

Decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

What	Requirement / trigger	Code Reference
Manufactured home park perimeter screening	Ornamental, sight‑obscuring fence/wall/planting, min. 6 ft high	§ 107.1.3.6.1
Manufactured home park landscaping maintenance	All non‑use areas permanently landscaped and maintained	§ 107.1.3.6.2
Special occupancy park boundaries	Enclosed by decorative screening/landscaping; if in front yard, must be at/behind setback	§ 113.1.3.4
Special occupancy park setback landscaping	Setbacks from streets not used for parking/buildings must be landscaped; berms/walls recommended for noise	§ 113.1.3.8
Parking lot street edge	If parking lot for 5 cars is within 20 ft of street property line, provide 5 ft landscaped strip w/ 3 ft screen	§ 31.1.6.3.5
Parking lot interior screening	Screening device not less than 6 ft along interior lines where parking adjoins residential use	§ 31.1.6.3.6
Off‑street parking landscaping	County may require landscaping equal to ≥ 2% of parking area; Planning Commission may require plan	§ 109.1.6.2
Wireless facility screening	Landscaping with native species or other stealth methods; base stations screened or painted; chain‑link must be screened	§ 91.2.7.4.1.4–.5, § 91.2.7.4.3–.4
Application materials	Project submittals must include proposed landscaping, fencing & screening plans	§ 33.1.3.9.7

How landscaping/screening interacts with other development rules

Landscaping and screening requirements are applied alongside dimensional/development rules in each zone; landscaping that encroaches into required setbacks is limited (e.g., screening in front yards must respect setbacks) § 113.1.3.4 .
Parking landscaping and screening requirements tie to off‑street parking rules; see the County parking page and the code § 31.1.6.3.5–.6 and § 109.1.6.2 .
Landscaping often comes through discretionary review: many application checklists and design review standards require a landscape plan as part of the submittal package § 33.1.3.9.7 and § 91.2.8.3.5; see the county Design Review guidance and the Development Standards page for process details .
For projects in overlay districts (for example, RR railroad combining zones) or for telecommunications sites, additional overlay rules can govern plant species, view corridors, or lease agreement requirements; consult the Overlay Districts page and § 33.2 .

Checklist (what an applicant must include / satisfy)

Provide a scaled landscape plan showing species, sizes at planting, irrigation, and maintenance responsibilities (required for many discretionary permits) § 33.1.3.9.7 .
For a manufactured home park: show perimeter screening at 6 ft minimum height and permanent landscaping for non‑use areas § 107.1.3.6.1–.2 .
For special occupancy parks: show decorative screening at exterior boundaries and ensure front‑yard screens are at/behind setback § 113.1.3.4; show landscaped setbacks for street edges § 113.1.3.8 .
For parking lots: show landscaped strip(s) where within 20 ft of street (min 5 ft), and interior screening 6 ft where parking adjoins residential uses; show calculations if landscaping area is being used to meet the 2% guideline § 31.1.6.3.5–.6, § 109.1.6.2 .
For wireless facilities: include native vegetation landscaping plan, visual simulations, and noise/fire/defensible‑space documentation as required for higher‑tier design review § 91.2.8.3.5–.7 .
When a proposed planting affects rights‑of‑way or coastal/habitat areas, include the appropriate habitat/setback analyses (where applicable) — verify additional Coastal or habitat rules if in a mapped coastal or ESHA area (Not found in retrieved materials: specific plant lists or irrigation standards; see Information Gaps below).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
No countywide plant species matrix in the Zoning text	County code references native species and landscaping plans but does not provide a plant list in the sections retrieved	Verify with Planning Division whether they maintain an approved plant list or street‑tree list (Not found in retrieved materials)
Front‑yard screening vs. setback conflicts	Screening placed in required front yard must be at or behind the setback; installing forward screening can create noncompliance § 113.1.3.4	Verify measured setbacks, frontage block context, and whether the project has special area‑specific setback rules
Fence height rules outside use‑specific sections	The code contains use‑specific fence heights (e.g., manufactured home parks), but uniform, countywide maximum fence heights for all zones were not found in the retrieved snippets	Verify general fence height limits in the full Zoning Code and with Building/Planning staff (Not found in retrieved materials)
Interaction with wildfire / defensible space rules	Telecommunications and other sections reference fire hazard submittals; landscaping choices may be constrained by CAL FIRE/defensible space rules § 91.2.8.3.7	Verify requirements with Fire Authority and CAL FIRE and coordinate plant species/placement
Screening vs. utility/security clearances	Screening for utilities or transformers needs specific clearances (utility guidance exists, but not fully reproduced in the code excerpts)	Verify utility clearances and PGE/utility standard guidance (utility standards referenced in other documents)

Plain‑English summary

Humboldt County’s zoning code requires landscaping and screening in targeted places (manufactured‑home parks, special occupancy parks, parking lots, wireless facilities) and routinely asks for a landscaping/screening plan during discretionary review; look for specific rules like a 6‑ft perimeter screen for manufactured‑home parks § 107.1.3.6.1 and parking‑edge/ interior screening requirements § 31.1.6.3.5–.6 . For any development in unincorporated Humboldt County expect the Planning Division or Design Review to require a formal landscape plan and maintenance commitments; verify species, defensible‑space, and setback interactions with staff.

Information Gaps (what the retrieved ordinance excerpts do not clearly provide)

Countywide detailed landscape design standards (plant lists, irrigation standards, minimum container sizes at planting) — Not found in retrieved materials.
A single, consolidated fence‑height table that applies across all zones (outside of specific uses such as manufactured‑home parks) — Not found in retrieved materials.
Specific street‑tree list or approved plant palette referenced as a county list (except the one reference to a “list of preapproved street trees” in the telecom section; the list itself was not provided) — Not found in retrieved materials; see § 91.2.6.2.22 .
Parcel‑specific overlay rules (coastal, Habitat, Scenic Highway visibility corridors) that may add or modify landscaping/screening — verify with County staff and applicable overlay maps.

Source References

Humboldt County Zoning Regulations: Application materials and landscape submittal requirement § 33.1.3.9.7 .
MU1 Mixed Use zone (uses and development standards) § 314‑9.1 .
Manufactured home park fencing and landscaping requirements § 107.1.3.6.1–.2 .
Special occupancy parks — fences/screens and setback landscaping § 113.1.3.4 and § 113.1.3.8 .
Parking lot landscaping and screening (strip widths, screening heights) § 31.1.6.3.5–.6 and off‑street parking landscape percentage § 109.1.6.2 .
Railroad Rights‑of‑Way Combining Zone, compatible uses and plant management § 33.2.1–.3 .
Wireless telecommunications facility landscaping, screening and design review submittal requirements § 91.2.7.4.1.4–.5, § 91.2.7.4.3–.4, § 91.2.8.3.5–.7 .
Erosion control and slope revegetation expectations for development sites § 112.1.3.4–.7 .
Utility/transformer screening guidance referenced (external utility standard) — PGE Greenbook example (not zoning code) — utility design guidance .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Humboldt County Zoning Code (Section INL) High relevance
CBC § 313 (Section 313-55.4.5.1.5) High relevance
Humboldt County Zoning Code (Section 314-33.2.3) High relevance
Humboldt County Zoning Code (Section CZ) High relevance
Humboldt County Zoning Code (Section INL) Medium relevance
Humboldt County Zoning Code Medium relevance
Humboldt County Zoning Code (Section 312-5.2) Medium relevance
Humboldt County Zoning Code (Section CZ) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Humboldt County Zoning Regulations: Application materials and landscape submittal requirement **§ 33.1.3.9.7** . (§ 33.1.3.9.7)
MU1 Mixed Use zone (uses and development standards) **§ 314‑9.1** . (§ 314)
Manufactured home park fencing and landscaping requirements **§ 107.1.3.6.1–.2** . (§ 107.1.3.6.1)
Special occupancy parks — fences/screens and setback landscaping **§ 113.1.3.4** and **§ 113.1.3.8** . (§ 113.1.3.4)
Parking lot landscaping and screening (strip widths, screening heights) **§ 31.1.6.3.5–.6** and off‑street parking landscape percentage **§ 109.1.6.2** . (§ 31.1.6.3.5)
Railroad Rights‑of‑Way Combining Zone, compatible uses and plant management **§ 33.2.1–.3** . (§ 33.2.1)
Wireless telecommunications facility landscaping, screening and design review submittal requirements **§ 91.2.7.4.1.4–.5**, **§ 91.2.7.4.3–.4**, **§ 91.2.8.3.5–.7** . (§ 91.2.7.4.1.4)
Erosion control and slope revegetation expectations for development sites **§ 112.1.3.4–.7** . (§ 112.1.3.4)
Utility/transformer screening guidance referenced (external utility standard) — PGE Greenbook example (not zoning code) — utility design guidance .
HumboldtCounty_ZoningCode.md
2022 PGE Greenbook.md

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of projects in unincorporated Humboldt County must include a landscaping/screening plan?

Any discretionary development application normally must include proposed landscaping, fencing and screening as part of the required materials; see the application submittal checklist requirement § 33.1.3.9.7 . Additionally, specific uses such as manufactured‑home parks, special occupancy parks, wireless facilities, and many parking lot proposals have explicit landscaping/screening standards referenced in their development standards (for example § 107.1.3.6.1, § 113.1.3.4, § 91.2.7.4.1.4–.5) .

How tall can a perimeter screen or fence be in a manufactured‑home park?

Per the manufactured‑home park standard, perimeter screening must be an ornamental, sight‑obscuring fence, wall or planting with a minimum height of six (6) feet along boundaries abutting public roads or property lines § 107.1.3.6.1 . For other zones the county’s general fence‑height rules were not found in the retrieved excerpts; verify with Planning staff.

Does the county require a landscaped strip between parking lots and streets?

Yes — if a parking lot for five cars is within 20 ft of a street property line, provide a landscaped strip at least 5 ft wide between the parking lot and the street, with a 3‑ft‑high fence, berm, wall or hedge at the edge closest to the parking lot § 31.1.6.3.5 . The Planning Commission may also require parking lot landscaping equal to ≥ 2% of the total parking area § 109.1.6.2 .

Where does the code say screening must be behind front setbacks?

Special occupancy park rules specifically state that exterior screening located within a front yard must be constructed at or behind the required setback § 113.1.3.4 ; similar setback constraints may apply elsewhere — verify with the jurisdiction and the specific zone’s setback table.

Are chain‑link fences allowed around utility or telecom sites?

Chain‑link fences are permitted for security of a telecommunications facility only if the fence is fully screened by landscaping; razor wire or barbed wire is expressly prohibited § 91.2.7.4.4 . In addition, base stations are required to be screened from public areas by undergrounding, native landscaping or other means, or painted as a mural § 91.2.7.4.3 .

Will a design review body make me change plant species or maintenance schedules?

Yes — design review and discretionary permit authorities routinely condition approval on specific landscaping, plant selection (often native species), and maintenance commitments; plans must be submitted with applications, and the Planning Commission/Design Review may require changes § 33.1.3.9.7 and § 91.2.8.3.5 .

Are there countywide tree‑protection or approved street‑tree lists in the zoning text?

The telecom section references a county list of preapproved street trees but the actual list was not included in the retrieved code excerpts § 91.2.6.2.22; a consolidated county plant list or street‑tree palette was not found in the materials provided. Verify with Planning (Not found in retrieved materials) .

Do parking lot landscaping requirements count toward other landscape obligations?

Yes — parking lot landscaping that meets the county’s percentage and placement guidelines can be used to satisfy landscape requirements, but the Planning Commission may require additional or specific planting layouts; see § 109.1.6.2 and § 31.1.6.3.5–.6 .

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