Local zoning · Imperial County

Imperial County — Landscaping and Screening

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

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how the County of Imperial’s Title 9 Land Use Ordinance regulates landscaping, buffers, fences, and visual screening for development in the unincorporated areas. Landscaping rules are centralized in Chapter 2 (Landscaping) with cross-references embedded in individual zoning districts, while screening obligations also appear in the countywide development standards and the fence chapter. Most non-residential, multi-unit residential, and subdivision proposals must show landscaping and screening on the required plot plan as part of project review. See the countywide overview and context on zoning, land use, and procedures at the Imperial County zoning & planning overview and Imperial County Zoning pages.

Key rule in plain English: most new non-residential and multi-unit projects in the unincorporated areas must landscape a portion of the site, include interior planters in parking areas, and provide irrigation and live plantings; walls and enclosures are required to screen sensitive edges, lights, and trash facilities.

Countywide landscaping framework (applies where noted)

Purpose and scope. Chapter 2 seeks attractive, resource-efficient landscaping, and makes these standards a baseline for new development and expansions; project-specific approvals can supersede the baseline standards per § 90302.00 and § 90302.01 .
Applicability. The standards apply to new and rehabilitated landscaping for industrial, commercial, institutional development; to multifamily common areas; and to all housing developments. “Homeowner provided landscaping for single-family residences and duplexes are excluded” per § 90302.09 .
Plot plan and timing. No required landscaping may be installed until a landscaping plot plan is approved; no final inspection/approval will be granted until required landscaping is in place per § 90302.07 and implementation under § 90302.10 .
Submittals. A complete landscaping submittal includes a planting plan (scale, species, sizes, spacing, quantities) and a corresponding irrigation plan (flow, lines, valves, controllers, precipitation rates, backflow, sensors) per § 90302.13 .
Exceptions. The Board of Supervisors may authorize conditional exceptions when substantially consistent with the chapter’s intent, unless state law disallows it, per § 90302.11; see also Imperial County Variances and Exceptions for relief pathways beyond this chapter .

Parking-area landscaping (all that apply)

Industrial/manufacturing uses: At least 5% of the total off-street parking area must be landscaped per § 90302.03(E) .
Commercial, recreational, institutional uses: At least 5% of the total off-street parking area must be landscaped per § 90302.04(C) .
Multi‑unit residential developments: At least 10% of the total parking area must be landscaped per § 90302.05(D) .

See related site design rules at Imperial County Parking.

Screening walls, edges, lights, and refuse

Countywide development standards add edge and screening requirements, frequently enforced through plot plan review:

Where a commercial or industrial development abuts property zoned for single‑family residential use, a 6‑ft high masonry wall is required along the boundary (reduced to 3 ft within the front yard setback), per § 90301.02(J) (commercial/industrial development standards) .
For residential projects next to non‑residential property, a 6‑ft solid masonry wall along the shared boundary is required (reduced to 30 in within the front yard setback) per § 90301.01(J) (residential development standards) .
Trash receptacles must be screened to avoid off‑site views; location/method must also minimize nuisance and be approved by the Planning Director per § 90301.01(L) and § 90301.02(L) .
Exterior lighting must be shielded and directed away from adjacent properties and public roads per § 90301.01(K) and § 90301.02(K) .

Plot plan applications must show proposed landscaping, lighting, fencing, and trash enclosures per § 90301.03; this is the core submittal reviewed in Imperial County Design Review and Imperial County Development Standards .

Fences and walls — countywide basics

Purpose and applicability. The County sets design/safety rules for fences and garden walls in unincorporated areas per § 90403.00 and § 90403.01 .
Prohibited materials and special limits. Improvised materials (tires, cans, broken glass, etc.) are prohibited; barbed/razor wire is prohibited in or abutting residential zones; electrified fences are prohibited except for animal containment in A zones or government security uses per § 90403.02 .
Location. Fences must sit on or inside your property lines; without a recorded neighbor agreement, set at least 2 inches off the line per § 90403.03 .
When permits are triggered. A construction permit is required for: retaining walls over 4 ft (or with surcharge/liquid), masonry fences over 4 ft, other fences over 84 in, and razor/barbwire where otherwise authorized per § 90403.05. Masonry design/build must comply with the County‑adopted building codes; see the California Building Standards Code for that separate regime .
Front‑yard height limits. In any R zone (and A zones with a residential enclave), front‑yard fencing cannot exceed 30 in if obscure, or 48 in if translucent; corner‑lot fencing must not block sight distance and is limited to 30 in per § 90403.06 .

Use category standards for landscaping (Chapter 2)

Industrial/manufacturing uses. Minimum landscape area: 10% of the developed lot; trees along a residential edge every 25 ft; along a commercial edge every 50 ft; irrigation and live landscaping required; at least 5% of parking area landscaped; ornamental rock/gravel/artificial turf may count toward the 10% per § 90302.03(A)–(F) .
Commercial, recreational, institutional uses. Minimum landscape area: 10% of the lot; trees every 30 ft along residential edges; at least 5% of parking area landscaped; irrigation/live landscaping required; artificial turf/rock/gravel are hard surfaces and may not count toward the 10%; “sensitive receptor” adjacency may trigger tighter planting (trees ≤ 25 ft on center, shrubs/vines in between); minimum plant size: 5‑gal per § 90302.04(A)–(G) .
Multi‑unit residential developments. Minimum landscape area: 15% of the developed lot (in addition to any park/open space); front and street‑side setbacks landscaped with trees ≤ 30 ft apart (≥ 5 ft back from sidewalk) and height limits in parkway; interior open space landscaped with live material; at least 10% of the parking area landscaped; irrigation/live landscaping required per § 90302.05(A)–(E) .
Single‑unit residential developments. Minimum landscape area: 20% of the developed lot; front and street‑side setbacks landscaped with trees ≤ 30 ft apart (≥ 5 ft back of sidewalk), and low plantings in the parkway per § 90302.06(A)–(B) .
Mobile home/RV parks. Minimum landscape area: 10% of the developed lot (in addition to other open space); perimeter setback landscaping with trees ≤ 50 ft apart; at least one tree per space interior; irrigation/live landscaping required; artificial turf/rock/gravel do not count toward the 10% per § 90302.02(A)–(G) .

District-by-district outcomes that affect landscaping and screening

Below are the zones where the ordinance explicitly ties the district to Chapter 2 landscaping or adds related screening context. These apply to unincorporated areas only.

R-1 (Low Density Residential)

Landscaping hook. Every R‑1 lot, parcel or use must meet the single‑unit standards in § 90302.06 via § 90502.11 (e.g., 20% minimum landscape area) .
Key dimensional context. Minimum distance between structures and height limits for R‑1 are in § 90502.08 and § 90502.07, respectively, which can influence yard planting/screen walls .
Edge screening. If adjacent to nonresidential, a 6‑ft solid masonry wall is required at the boundary, reduced to 30 in in the front setback per § 90301.01(J) .

R-3 (Medium/High Density Residential)

Landscaping hook. The R‑3 district cross‑references “Section 90302.15” for landscaping per § 90504.10; specific content for “§ 90302.15” was not surfaced in the retrieved materials. Practically, the multi‑unit standards in § 90302.05 commonly govern these developments; Verify with the jurisdiction .
Key dimensional context. Minimum spacing between residential structures appears in § 90504.08 (retrieved in part) and can affect interior open space and tree placement; Verify with the jurisdiction .
Screening and trash. Countywide screening of trash and lighting applies via § 90301.01(K)–(L) for residential zones .

C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial)

Landscaping hook. Every C‑1 parcel must meet § 90302.04 (10% landscaping; 5% parking lot planters; trees along residential edges; irrigation/live plantings; sensitive receptor planting where applicable) per § 90512.10 .
Key dimensional context. Setbacks and height limits in § 90512.06 and § 90512.07 frame the front and side planting areas and corner visibility concerns .
Edge screening. If abutting R‑1 or other single‑family, a 6‑ft masonry wall is required along the shared line per § 90301.02(J) .

M-1 (Light Industrial)

Landscaping hook. M‑1 landscaping is per § 90302.03 (10% minimum; 5% parking lot; irrigation/live landscaping; tree spacing along edges). Artificial turf/rock/gravel may count toward the 10% in M‑1 per § 90302.03(F); cross‑referenced at § 90515.11 .
Key dimensional context. Height and spacing between structures in § 90515.07–.08 can affect the screening wall and planting envelope, with parking in § 90515.09 informing planter layout .
Edge screening. A 6‑ft masonry wall is required where M‑1 abuts single‑family zoning per § 90301.02(J) .

M-3 (Heavy Industrial)

Landscaping hook. M‑3 also follows § 90302.03 via § 90517.11 (same industrial landscape minimums/parking planters; irrigation; tree spacing) .
Key dimensional context. See § 90517.06–.08 (yards, heights, structure separations) for planting room and screening wall siting .

A-1 (General Agriculture) and A-2 (Medium Agriculture)

Landscaping hook. For nonresidential development in A-1 and A-2, landscaping must match M‑1 standards (excluding crop/tree farming). For residential development, match R‑1 standards per § 90507.010 (A‑1) and § 90508.11 (A‑2) .

AM-1 (Agriculturally Related – Light Industrial)

Landscaping hook. Follows M‑1 landscaping under § 90510.11, which means § 90302.03 governs (10% minimum; 5% parking lot planters; irrigation; live landscaping) .

G/S (Government/Special)

Landscaping hook. Must provide landscaping consistent with the C‑2 zone per § 90520.11; specific C‑2 landscape text was not surfaced here; Verify with the jurisdiction .

Special facilities — Wireless communication sites

Screening expectation. Wireless communication facilities must be screened “to the maximum extent possible,” using vegetation/landforms/buildings; additional screening may be conditioned case‑by‑case; roof‑mounted antennas often require architectural screening, or increased setbacks when unscreened. See the screening clause within the County’s wireless facility standards (cited to “Section 92401.03” elsewhere) which include a dedicated “Screening” provision (item 6) .
Scenic corridors. Height and visibility constraints are tighter within three‑quarters of a mile of designated scenic corridors; stealth/screening can be essential in such contexts (see item 5, “Height”) .

See additional location‑based requirements at Imperial County Overlay Districts.

Decision-relevant standards at a glance

Topic	Core Standard	Where it applies	Code Reference
Minimum landscaped area	Industrial: 10% of developed lot area; Commercial: 10%; Multi‑unit: 15%; Single‑unit: 20%; Mobile home/RV parks: 10%	Unincorporated areas, per use category	§ 90302.03(A) ; § 90302.04(A) ; § 90302.05(A) ; § 90302.06(A) ; § 90302.02(A)
Parking lot landscaping	Industrial/Commercial: 5% of parking area; Multi‑unit: 10%	Where those uses occur	§ 90302.03(E) ; § 90302.04(C) ; § 90302.05(D)
Irrigation/live planting	Irrigation and live landscaping required for all planters/landscape areas	All applicable use categories	§ 90302.03(D) ; § 90302.04(D) ; § 90302.05(E) ; § 90302.02(D)
Trees along sensitive edges	Industrial: 25‑ft spacing along residential edges; 50‑ft along commercial edges; Commercial: 30‑ft along residential edges	Site boundaries by adjacency	§ 90302.03(B)–(C) ; § 90302.04(B)
Sensitive receptor adjacency (commercial)	Trees ≤ 25 ft OC plus shrubs/vines between	Where Planning determines receptor	§ 90302.04(F)
Artificial turf/rock/gravel credit	Industrial: may count toward 10%; Commercial: may not count; Mob. Home/RV: may not count	As stated	§ 90302.03(F) ; § 90302.04(E) ; § 90302.02(E)
Required screening wall at zone edges	6‑ft masonry wall where C/M abuts single‑family; 6‑ft solid masonry wall where residential abuts nonresidential (reduced in front yard)	Edge conditions	§ 90301.02(J) ; § 90301.01(J)
Trash enclosure screening	Must be screened and approved by Planning Director	All zones via standards	§ 90301.01(L) ; § 90301.02(L)
Front‑yard fence heights	R and residential A: 30 in (obscure) or 48 in (translucent); corner lots: 30 in max	Fences in yards	§ 90403.06(A)–(B)

Checklist

Confirm your base zoning and applicable overlay areas for your parcel in unincorporated Imperial County (see Imperial County Overlay Districts and Imperial County Land Use).
Determine which use‑category standard applies (industrial, commercial, multi‑unit, single‑unit, mobile home/RV) and compute minimum landscaped area per § 90302.02–.06 .
Layout parking lot interior planters to the correct percentage for your use (5% or 10%) per § 90302.03(E), § 90302.04(C), or § 90302.05(D); coordinate with Imperial County Parking .
Provide required trees and spacing along interior property lines (e.g., 25 ft, 30 ft, or 50 ft), and apply any “sensitive receptor” planting where designated by Planning per § 90302.03–.04 .
Choose plant sizes and materials that comply (e.g., minimum 5‑gal containers where required) and provide a complete irrigation plan with live landscaping per § 90302.04(G) and § 90302.13 .
Show required 6‑ft masonry walls where your project abuts single‑family zoning (or vice versa for residential next to nonresidential) and reduce wall heights within front setbacks per § 90301.01(J) or § 90301.02(J) .
Screen trash enclosures and shield exterior lighting per § 90301.01(K)–(L) and § 90301.02(K)–(L) .
Confirm fence materials, locations, heights, and any permits per § 90403.02–.06; coordinate any building‑code submittals under the California Building Standards Code for structural walls as required .
Prepare and submit the landscaping plot plan and irrigation plan as part of your plot plan application per § 90301.03, § 90302.07, and § 90302.13 (see Imperial County Design Review) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
R‑3 cross‑reference	§ 90504.10 says R‑3 must meet “§ 90302.15”; that section wasn’t surfaced	Ask Planning if this refers to the multi‑unit standards in § 90302.05 or another section; apply the stricter standard pending clarification .
Artificial turf credit varies	Industrial may count turf/rock toward minimum; commercial/mobile home cannot	Confirm which use‑category governs your site mix; apply § 90302.03(F) vs § 90302.04(E) / § 90302.02(E) correctly .
“Sensitive receptor” planting (Commercial)	Tighter tree spacing may be required	Confirm with Planning whether your adjacency triggers § 90302.04(F) and the exact receptor boundary .
Edge wall obligations (who builds)	The ordinance assigns walls at certain edges, but site constraints can complicate	Coordinate early in plot plan review; cite § 90301.01(J) or § 90301.02(J) in your plans .
Scenic corridor/wireless screening	Extra screening/height controls may apply	If proposing antennas, confirm scenic corridor proximity and apply the wireless “Screening” requirement item 6 and related height rules (Verify section numbering) .
Fence permits vs. building code	Structural walls/fences can trigger building permits	Confirm permit triggers in § 90403.05 and coordinate with Building Division under state codes (see California Building Standards Code) .

Plain-English Summary

If you are building or expanding in unincorporated Imperial County, expect to landscape 10–20% of your site (15% for multi‑unit housing), put planters inside parking lots (5–10%), and install irrigation and live plants. Edges next to homes generally need a 6‑ft masonry wall; trash bins must be screened; and lights must be shielded. Some materials (like artificial turf) count toward industrial landscaping but not commercial; a simple, accurate landscape and irrigation plan is required with your application.

Source References

Landscaping chapter purpose and scope; applicability; implementation; exceptions; submittals: § 90302.00–.01, .07, .09–.13 .
Industrial landscaping standards: § 90302.03 (percent, parking planters, tree spacing, irrigation, materials credit) .
Commercial/institutional landscaping standards: § 90302.04 (percent, parking planters, tree spacing, irrigation, sensitive receptors, plant sizes, materials credit) .
Multi‑unit residential landscaping: § 90302.05 (percent, parking planters, interior open space, setbacks trees, irrigation) .
Single‑unit residential landscaping: § 90302.06 (percent, front/side yard trees) .
Mobile home/RV parks landscaping: § 90302.02 (percent, perimeter/interior trees, irrigation, materials credit) .
Development standards (screening walls, lights, trash): § 90301.01(J)–(L) and § 90301.02(J)–(L) .
Plot plan application content (must show landscaping, lighting, fencing, trash enclosures): § 90301.03 .
Fences: purpose/applicability, prohibited materials, location, permit triggers, front‑yard heights: § 90403.00–.06 .
District link‑backs: R‑1: § 90502.11; R‑3: § 90504.10; C‑1: § 90512.10; M‑1: § 90515.11; M‑3: § 90517.11; A‑1: § 90507.010; A‑2: § 90508.11; AM‑1: § 90510.11; G/S: § 90520.11 .
Wireless facilities screening and scenic corridor considerations: wireless siting performance standards (itemized screening and height controls) (Verify specific section header in Division 24; the retrieved text references “Section 92401.03”): item 6 “Screening” and related height items 5.c–e .

Also see:

Imperial County Development Standards
Imperial County Design Review
Imperial County Overlay Districts
California Building Standards Code

Sources

Retrieved passages

Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 74) High relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 76) High relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 90302.05) High relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 90301.03) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
CEC § 120 (title relating) Medium relevance
CEC § 120 (Title 9) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (title until) High relevance
CFC § 3 (§ 3) Medium relevance
CBC § 3 (§ 3) Medium relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 90302.01) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 90302.09) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (title until) Medium relevance
CBC § 120 Medium relevance
CRC § R324 (SECTION BF103) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 90301.00) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 70) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 70) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (Section 92401.03) Medium relevance
Imperial County Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Imperial County code library

Frequently asked questions

How much of my site must be landscaped for a commercial project in unincorporated Imperial County?

Commercial, recreational, and institutional developments must landscape at least 10% of the total developed lot or parcel area and landscape at least 5% of the total parking area, with live planting and irrigation required per § 90302.04(A), (C)–(D) .

What does industrial landscaping require (M‑1/M‑3) in unincorporated areas?

Industrial uses must landscape at least 10% of the developed lot, provide 5% parking‑area landscaping, install irrigation/live plantings, and plant trees along edges (25 ft spacing along residential; 50 ft along commercial). Materials like ornamental rock or artificial turf may count toward the 10% in industrial projects per § 90302.03(A)–(F) and are cross‑referenced in M‑1 and M‑3 at §§ 90515.11 and 90517.11 .

Can I count artificial turf or gravel toward my required landscaping?

It depends on the use. In industrial settings it may be credited toward the 10% minimum (§ 90302.03(F)), but in commercial areas (§ 90302.04(E)) and mobile home/RV parks (§ 90302.02(E)) it is considered hard surface and does not count .

Do I need a wall between a commercial/industrial site and a neighboring single-family zone?

Yes. A 6‑ft masonry wall is required where a commercial or industrial development abuts a property zoned for single‑family use; wall height drops to 3 ft within front setbacks per § 90301.02(J) .

What about residential next to nonresidential—who provides the wall?

For residential projects abutting nonresidential property, a 6‑ft solid masonry wall along the boundary is required (reduced to 30 in in the front yard) per § 90301.01(J) .

Do parking lots in unincorporated Imperial County need interior planters?

Yes. Industrial and commercial parking lots must include landscaped planters covering at least 5% of the parking area (§ 90302.03(E), § 90302.04(C)); multi‑unit residential lots require 10% (§ 90302.05(D)) .

What are the front-yard fence height limits for homes?

In any R zone (and A zones with a primarily residential character), front‑yard fences may be up to 30 in if obscure or 48 in if translucent; on corner lots, fences cannot exceed 30 in to preserve visibility per § 90403.06(A)–(B) .

Do I need to submit a landscaping plan?

Yes. A landscaping plot plan must be approved before installation and before final inspection, and a full planting and irrigation plan is required per § 90302.07 and § 90302.13; plot plan applications must also show landscaping, lighting, fencing, and trash enclosures per § 90301.03 .

How do A‑1 and A‑2 agricultural zones handle landscaping?

For nonresidential development in A‑1 and A‑2, use the M‑1 industrial landscaping rules; for residential development in those zones, use the R‑1 single‑unit standards per §§ 90507.010 and 90508.11 .

Are there special screening rules for wireless facilities?

Yes. Wireless sites must be screened to the maximum extent feasible (vegetation/landforms/buildings) and may require architectural screening on roofs; height rules tighten near scenic corridors. These performance standards appear in the County’s wireless facility provisions (item 6 “Screening”) (Verify exact § reference) .

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