Local zoning · Indian Wells

Indian Wells — Landscaping and Screening

Q: How many trees do I have to plant for a new driveway or garage apron?

Garage driveways serving four or more full‑size cars must include a minimum of five 24‑inch box trees in at‑grade planters (with specific turf‑block exceptions); parking areas more broadly require one 24‑inch box tree per four parking spaces . See the driveway enhancement rules and parking landscaping standards (§ 21.20.080(c) and § 21.100.030 ).

Q: What fence or wall height can I build along my rear property line?

Walls and fences are generally limited to 6 ft in side/rear yards unless you obtain approval under the variance/administrative relief procedures; special stepping requirements apply for some planning subareas and walls abutting golf fairways may be restricted to lower heights. See § 21.50.050 and Planning Area text.

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Indian Wells' Zoning Code requires for landscaping and screening (planting, berms, walls/fences, parking lot landscaping, irrigation and maintenance) and where those rules live in the ordinance. Key permitting touchpoints are design review, the City’s landscape chapter and the parking/parking‑lot screening rules. Verify parcel‑specific requirements (HOA, overlays, recorded conditions) with the Planning Department. See the city's zoning landing page for context: Indian Wells Zoning.

What the code covers (short list)

Mandatory landscape plan content, hydrozones, MAWA and irrigation standards (Chapter 21.60; Chapter 21.70) — § 21.60.085, § 21.70.010.
Minimum plant densities, tree counts for residential, common and commercial areas — § 21.60.085.
Off‑street parking landscaping and screening, trees-per‑spaces and percent shaded targets — § 21.100.030.
Walls/fences (heights, front‑yard limitations, masonry preference) and required screening walls — § 21.50.050.
Design review triggers and the Review Authority’s landscaping/screening considerations — § 21.60.040 and § 21.60.070.
Water‑efficient landscaping program and applicability thresholds (MAWA, documentation) — Chapter 21.70.

Note: this page treats land‑use zoning/landscape rules only; building technical rules (Title 24 / California Building Standards) are separate — see California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district summary (landscaping & screening implications)

Each subsection names the code designation, the role of landscaping/screening there, typical uses, and the most relevant rules.

Very Low Density Residential — RVLD

Purpose/uses: single‑family, golf‑oriented lots and estate homes. See Planning Area tables and RVLD development standards.
Landscaping/screening emphasis: front‑yard tree minima, root‑barrier requirements for trees near hardscape, prohibition/limits on property‑line walls adjacent to golf fairways. § 21.60.085 (residential standards) and § 21.50.050 (walls/fences).
Key dimensional standards that affect plant/wall placement: typical 20 ft front setbacks in many RVLD subareas; side/rear setback rules vary by subarea (check the Planning Area table for your lot). § 21.23.050 and planning area tables.

Practical guidance: On a fairway lot expect additional restrictions — rear property‑line walls may be limited or prohibited unless an approval is obtained; trees must be planted so canopy/root systems do not damage sidewalks and utilities, and root barriers are required within 5 ft of hardscape. § 21.50.050, § 21.60.085.

Low & Medium Density Residential — RLD / RMD

Purpose/uses: typical single‑family and small multi family (RMD). Development standards (lot sizes, setbacks and heights) control where trees, walls, and planters can be located. See specific zone tables in Chapters 21.23–21.24.
Landscaping rules: the same base landscape standards apply — 3 plants per 100 sq ft minimum for residential landscape area; minimum two 24‑inch box trees in each front yard (or two palms = one box tree substitution). § 21.60.085.
Fences/walls: no walls or fences > 3 ft in corner vision triangles; front setback areas have step limits — see § 21.50.050(b) for front/side front rules.

Practical guidance: For permits, show trees and root‑barriers, and respect the 10‑ft/5‑ft spacing rules near sidewalks/curbs (canopy trees 10 ft from curb; palms 3 ft minimum). § 21.60.085, § 21.60.085(g)(3)(i‑ii).

Resort Commercial — RC and Community Commercial — CC

Purpose/uses: hotels, resorts, shopping and services that front public roads; parking and visual screening are especially important in RC zones. The City may allow alternative tree palettes in Resort Commercial where design achieves screening/shade. § 21.100.030.
Parking lot requirements: one 24‑inch box tree per 4 parking spaces; parking lot area landscaping percentage tiers: 5.0% (5–24 stalls), 7.5% (25–49), 10.0% (50+); shading goals over 15 years (30% / 40% / 50%). § 21.100.030.
Street‑front trees: commercial frontages must plant one 36‑inch box tree (or a 10‑ft palm) per 30 linear feet of frontage (or species‑recommended spacing). § 21.60.085(f)(3)(vi).

Practical guidance: For commercial sites, include planter dimensions (planters min 5 ft wide and protected by a 6‑inch x 6‑inch curb), and show how shading requirements will be met over time. § 21.100.030(c).

Golf Course Overlay / Country Club Open Space — PPGC / COS

Purpose/uses: golf course open space overlaid on base zones; the overlay imposes special rules where landscaping interacts with fairways (e.g., limitations on walls, "no errant golf ball screens" along fairways). See Planning Area narrative and overlay rules.
Screening specifics: double property line walls adjacent to residential lots are evaluated case‑by‑case; walls along golf course fairways are often restricted to preserve views (see § 21.50.050 and applicable Planning Area text).

Practical guidance: Where your lot abuts the golf course, coordinate with the HOA/Architecture & Landscape Committee because the code defers many fairway treatments to the HOA and to the Planning Area standards. § 21.14.030 and § 21.50.050.

Key standards at a glance

Issue / Standard	Requirement (Indian Wells)	Code reference
Residential plant density	3 plants per 100 sq ft (residential lots)	§ 21.60.085
Residential front‑yard trees	Minimum two 24‑inch box trees per front yard (or two 8‑ft palms = one box tree)	§ 21.60.085
Parking lot trees	1 × 24‑inch box tree per 4 parking spaces	§ 21.100.030
Parking landscaping %	5% / 7.5% / 10% of parking area depending on size; shading goals 30% / 40% / 50% at 15 years	§ 21.100.030
Planter minimum width	Planters min 5 ft wide; protected by curb 6 in × 6 in	§ 21.100.030(c)
Walls / fence height (rear/side yards)	Walls/fences generally ≤ 6 ft; front setback walls restricted: no walls/fences in first 10 ft of front/side‑front setbacks; special rules for golf fairway lots	§ 21.50.050
Corner visibility	No visual obstruction > 3 ft in corner cutback/clear vision areas	§ 21.50.040
Irrigation system	Automatic irrigation required; irrigation design must meet Chapter 21.70 (MAWA, efficiency ≥ 0.75)	Chapter 21.70; § 21.70.010, irrigation specs § 21.60.085(g)
Landscape plan thresholds	Landscape plans required for work affecting > 250 sq ft (publicly visible) and reviewed by Planning Dept or DRC depending on size; >2,500 sq ft requires DRC and licensed landscape architect	§ 21.60.085(b) & (d)

Checklist — what an applicant must provide (minimum)

A complete, signed design review application when applicable; see triggers in § 21.60.080(a) and § 21.60.085(a).
A full Landscape Documentation Package / Landscape Design Plan drawn to scale showing property lines, hydrozones, plant palette (common + Latin names), plant sizes, MAWA calculations (see Appendix C/D), and irrigation plan. § 21.60.085(e–g).
Compliance with Chapter 21.70 Water Efficient Landscaping (MAWA calculations; water‑budget worksheet). § 21.70.020.
Parking lot plans showing planter locations, tree counts (1 × 24" box tree per 4 spaces), planter sizes (min 5 ft), and shading calculations. § 21.100.030.
Wall/fence location, heights (measured from grade), and materials; show visibility triangles for corners. § 21.50.050, § 21.50.040.
If requesting an exception (administrative landscape exception), include written justification and findings per § 21.60.085(d) and § 21.06.050(d).

Note: Larger landscape projects (>2,500 sq ft) require a licensed landscape architect stamp and DRC review. § 21.60.085(d)(3).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
HOA or recorded conditions override	Many Indian Wells neighborhoods (gated communities/golf clubs) have HOA architectural standards that control walls, plant palettes and fairway treatments; code often defers to HOA on fairway/lake features	Confirm HOA/Architectural Committee approval and recorded deed restrictions before plan submittal. See Planning Area text.
Golf‑course adjacency (fairway lots)	Code limits walls/fences and restricts some enclosures to preserve views and safety; some fairway lots explicitly prohibit walls	Verify whether your lot is a fairway lot and whether the rule “no walls on rear lot line” applies; check § 21.50.050 and relevant Planning Area language.
Measurement of fence height (grade differences)	Height is measured from finished grade at base — grading or fill can change allowable fence height	Show existing and proposed grades on the site plan; if fill is against a wall, top of fill establishes permitted height. § 21.50.050(a)(1).
“Visible from public right‑of‑way” trigger	Design review and landscape plan thresholds differ for landscapes visible from ROW vs. HOA common areas	Confirm whether your project is visible from public right‑of‑way — if yes, 250 sq ft threshold applies; if within active HOA and reviewed by HOA, Planning Dept may treat differently. § 21.60.085(b).
Parking shade percentages vs. practical planting	Shade targets are long‑term (15 years) — species choice and spacing affect compliance	Provide species growth tables and shading projections; consider larger boxed material to meet near‑term shading goals. § 21.100.030(b).

Plain-English summary

Indian Wells requires a submitted, scaled landscape plan for most visible landscape changes; the plan must meet plant density and tree requirements, automatic irrigation and water‑budget rules, parking lot planting and shading targets, and limits on walls and fences (especially in front yards and along golf fairways). Key rules live in the City’s landscape/design review chapter (Chapter 21.60/21.70) and the parking chapter (§ 21.100.030) — show trees, planters, irrigation and wall heights on your site plan to avoid delays.

Source References

Indian Wells Zoning Code (Title 21) — Architecture & Landscape Review and landscape standards: § 21.60.020, § 21.60.040, § 21.60.070, § 21.60.080, § 21.60.085.
Parking landscaping & screening: § 21.100.030 (trees per parking space; percent landscaped; planters).
Walls, fences, vision triangles, and residential fence limits: § 21.50.050 and corner visibility rules (visual obstructions).
Water Efficient Landscaping (MAWA, irrigation): Chapter 21.70 — § 21.70.010 & § 21.70.020.
Design review procedures and review considerations (including landscaping factors): § 21.60.040, § 21.60.070.
Zoning map / planning‑area references and RVLD/RLD development standards: Planning Area chapters and development charts (multiple): see Planning Area tables (e.g., Chapters 21.14, 21.23).

Internal topic pages linked in this document (first use inline):

Indian Wells Zoning — context and base zones.
Indian Wells Parking — parking/parking lot rules referenced above.
Indian Wells Development Standards — setbacks and building envelope references.
Indian Wells Design Review — application & review procedures.
Indian Wells Overlay Districts — golf course and other overlays that affect walls/fences.
Indian Wells ADUs — ADU landscaping is reviewed where visible; ADU siting is addressed in design review triggers.
California Building Standards Code — technical building standards (separate from land‑use/landscape code).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (Section provides) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance
CBC § 3119 (Chapter 31) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (Section is) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (Title block) Medium relevance
CBC § 3119 (Chapter 31) Medium relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
CBC § 3 (§ 3) Medium relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code Medium relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code Medium relevance
CBC § 070 Medium relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (Section to) High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code High relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code Medium relevance
Indian Wells Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Indian Wells code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need a landscape plan for my yard work in Indian Wells?

If the work is visible from a public right‑of‑way and affects more than 250 sq ft, you must submit a landscape plan and pay the Planning Department fee; projects larger than 2,500 sq ft require DRC review and a licensed landscape architect stamp. The thresholds and review authorities are set out in § 21.60.085(b) and § 21.60.085(d).

How many trees do I have to plant for a new driveway or garage apron?

Garage driveways serving four or more full‑size cars must include a minimum of five 24‑inch box trees in at‑grade planters (with specific turf‑block exceptions); parking areas more broadly require one 24‑inch box tree per four parking spaces. See the driveway enhancement rules and parking landscaping standards (§ 21.20.080(c) and § 21.100.030).

What fence or wall height can I build along my rear property line?

Walls and fences are generally limited to 6 ft in side/rear yards unless you obtain approval under the variance/administrative relief procedures; special stepping requirements apply for some planning subareas and walls abutting golf fairways may be restricted to lower heights. See § 21.50.050 and Planning Area text.

Do parking lots need to be screened from adjacent homes?

Yes — where a parking area abuts a residential district the code requires landscaping and a minimum 6‑ft masonry wall for separation, though the City Council can waive the masonry requirement if equivalent berming or additional setback and planting is provided. See § 21.100.030(e).

What are the corner visibility (sight triangle) rules for planting and walls?

Corner cutback areas must be free of visual obstructions over 3 ft above the adjacent pavement/travel surface; trees in these areas must be trimmed to provide at least 8 ft of clear trunk. See the visibility/visual obstruction standards in § 21.50.040.

Is artificial turf allowed and does it count toward plant density?

Non‑functional or artificial turf is permitted but is discounted from overall landscape area (does not count toward plant density) and must meet the City’s material standards; commercial and common areas have specific rules regarding non‑potable irrigation for non‑functional turf. See § 21.60.085(f).

Who enforces irrigation efficiency and what standard is required?

Irrigation plans must meet the City’s Water Efficient Landscaping Chapter; irrigation system minimum efficiency is 0.75 (75%) and irrigation plans must include specific details (control valves, head types, DU, etc.). See Chapter 21.70 and irrigation specifications.

What if my existing fence is nonconforming — can I repair it?

Pre‑existing nonconforming walls/fences may remain until you repair or replace 25% or more of the wall/fence, at which point the replaced portion must be brought into compliance with § 21.50.040/050. Verify the nonconforming timeline and repair thresholds in the code.

Are there special rules if my property is inside a gated community with an HOA?

Yes — many Planning Areas and golf‑oriented developments defer certain aesthetics and fairway treatments to the HOA or Architecture & Landscape Committee; the City often requires HOA approval as part of the design review submittal. Check the Planning Area language and HOA rules before applying. § 21.14.030 and design review submittal requirements.

If I want a taller fence than allowed, how do I request it?

You may request approval under the variance or administrative relief procedures; an administrative landscape exception may be granted by the Community Development Director if the findings in § 21.60.085(d) and the variance standards (§ 21.06.050) can be satisfied.

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