Local zoning · Inglewood

Inglewood — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What are the Inglewood front yard fence height limits?

Front‑yard fences in residential zones are limited to 4 ft ; portions above 2 ft must be open‑work and ornamental metal open‑work can allow up to 5 ft in some configurations. See § 12-93.1 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Inglewood zoning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (trees, hedges, fences, walls, buffers, screening of loading/trash/utility equipment) and where those rules live in the code. It covers the submission requirements, the most frequently applied numeric limits (fence heights, setback-landscaping, parking screening, tree‑planting expectations), and the distinct expectations that apply in major Inglewood zones. All requirements below are taken directly from the municipal code; read the cited sections and Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific application. Inglewood Zoning and related review processes (design review, parking, development standards, overlays and ADU rules) intersect with landscaping; the first mention of each related topic below is linked to the city pages used by GoCodebook for navigation.

How to read this page

Bolded district names and standards (e.g., R-1, § 12-93.1) are the items you will see most often in project review.
Every substantive requirement is grounded in the Inglewood ordinance and cited with the controlling § and the file citation from the retrieved code.
Where the code text is silent or ambiguous I note “Not found in retrieved materials” or flag the issue under Risks & Ambiguities.

District-by-district requirements (what actually matters on a parcel)

Note: the code applies landscaping and screening requirements in plan review across many zones and also via project-specific reviews such as design review. See the city’s pages on design review, development standards, parking, and overlay districts for the procedural context.

R Zones (residential; e.g., R-1, R-1 1/2)

Purpose & where it applies: single‑family and low‑density residential areas. Planned-assembly is explicitly not applicable to R-1 and R-1 1/2 parcels. § 12-39.2.5 .
Landscaping & screening rules: required areas between structures and public streets must be landscaped and permanently maintained; residential hedges and fences in front setbacks are limited in height. See § 12-93.1 (residential fences/walls) and the requirement to landscape yard areas adjacent to public streets. § 12-93.1; § 12-27 (landscaping requirement excerpt) .
Key numeric standards (examples): front‑yard fence/hedge maximum 4 ft (open‑work if above 2 ft), rear/side yard walls up to 8 ft. § 12-93.1, § 12-93.7 .
Typical review triggers: new fences/walls, removal of street‑facing landscaping, or projects requiring site plan or building permits.

C Zones (commercial; for example C-1, C-C, C-R, T-C)

Purpose & where it applies: pedestrian‑oriented and general commercial districts (see § 12-23 for C-1 purpose). § 12-23 .
Landscaping & screening rules: commercial plan review requires submission of a landscape plan and specific landscaping, fences and screening as part of plan approval. Parking and loading visibility must be reduced by landscaped areas and decorative walls/fences. § 12-29, § 12-31, § 12-39.53 .
Key numeric standards: nonresidential fences: 6 ft max if within 20 ft of a public street; 8 ft max elsewhere. Chain link and wire fencing are prohibited for visible enclosures. § 12-93.2 .
Parking: parking areas must be screened or modulated with landscaping and decorative walls; no parking within required landscape setbacks. See § 12-39.53 and the C‑zone plan standards. § 12-39.53; § 12-32.13 .
Telecom/utility special case: ground‑mounted telecom and equipment enclosures in commercial zones require a 3‑ft landscaped buffer outside the decorative wall and prohibit chain‑link enclosures. § 12-106.6 .

M Zones (manufacturing/industrial; e.g., M-1L, M-2)

Purpose & where it applies: light and heavy manufacturing districts; M‑1L has tailored development standards. § 12-32 / § 12-33 .
Landscaping & screening rules: M‑1L requires hardy, permanent landscaping; trees planted along interior property lines at a rate of one tree per 20 lineal feet (minimum tree size 15‑gallon); parking must be screened and no parking in required landscape setbacks; loading/refuse/equipment must be screened by walls/fences/major landscaping; chain link is specifically prohibited for those screens. § 12-32.13; § 12-32.13(9-12) .
Fences/walls: must not be constructed within required landscape setbacks; masonry/tubular steel/wrought iron required for visible walls. § 12-32.13(7) .

O-S, C-C, T-C, D Zone, Planned Assembly (special / civic / design‑review supplements)

Purpose & where it applies: Open Space (O-S), Civic Center (C-C), Transportation Corridor (T-C), and the D supplemental zone that adds design review requirements to underlying zones. See § 12-38 (O-S), § 12-34 (C-C), and § 12-35 (D) for plan and landscape submission rules. § 12-38.27; § 12-34.4; § 12-35.2 .
Landscaping & screening rules: the Planning Commission/D director reviews landscaping, walls, fences and screen planting as standards governing approval; design compatibility with surroundings is required. § 12-38.27; § 12-35.3 .
Special allowances: the Planning Commission has discretion on some elements (e.g., maximum height for certain ground‑mounted telecom facilities in C-C, T-C, O-S). § 12-106.6(3) .

Key numeric standards and decision‑relevant rules (quick table)

Topic	Rule (plain English)	Code Reference
Residential front yard fence/hedge height	Max 4 ft in front yard setback; portions over 2 ft above grade must be open‑work; ornamental metal allowances up to 5 ft under conditions	§ 12-93.1, § 12-93.7
Rear & side yard walls (residential)	Max 8 ft in rear/side yards behind front building line (measured on high side)	§ 12-93.1
Nonresidential fences	Max 6 ft if within 20 ft of public street; 8 ft otherwise; chain‑link/wire prohibited for visible enclosures	§ 12-93.2
Landscape plan submission	Site plan + a landscape plan showing existing/removed trees, proposed plant types & sizes, irrigation, and landscape design required for site plan review	§ 12-39.52, § 12-35.2
Parking lot screening	Parking areas must be screened/vegetated or separated from public view; no parking in required landscape setbacks	§ 12-39.53, § 12-32.13(10)
Tree planting (M‑1L and similar)	Trees required at one tree per 20 linear ft of each interior property line; minimum 15‑gallon size	§ 12-32.13(9)
Screening for ground‑mounted equipment	Minimum 3‑ft landscaped buffer outside decorative wall; trees/shrubs to soften visual impacts; chain‑link prohibited	§ 12-106.6(2)
Protected tree removal & replacement	Tree removal subject to permit; conditions may require replacement with equivalent trees, arborist supervision, fenced protected zones	§ 12-119, § 12-120

Practical guidance / plain-English interpretation (what reviewers look for)

Submit a scaled landscape plan with your site plan: indicate existing trees, trees to be removed, proposed trees (species and sizes), and irrigation method. This is explicitly required for site plan / design review (landscape plan, § 12-39.52 and § 12-35.2) .
For any visible enclosure (trash, loading, transformer, telecom equipment), plan for a non‑chain‑link decorative wall or wrought iron plus planted buffer; the code requires a 3‑ft planted buffer around accessory equipment enclosures and forbids chain link for these uses. § 12-106.6(1–2) .
Residential owners: keep fences in front setbacks to 4 ft or use open work above 2 ft; hedges follow the same front setback limits. § 12-93.1, § 12-93.7 .
If you propose to remove a large or “protected” tree, expect a Tree Removal and Cutting Permit and replacement/mitigation conditions; the tree ordinance sets replacement/maintenance conditions and enforcement. § 12-119 .
Plan parking areas so that required landscape setbacks are not used for parking; reviewers will check that islands, perimeter planting and trees are provided per the code’s parking/landscaping standards. § 12-39.53, § 12-32.13(10) .

(If your project triggers design review you must follow the Objective Design Standards — see the city’s design review page; for dimensional rules consult development standards.)

Checklist (what you must submit / satisfy for most commercial or multifamily projects)

Scaled site plan showing buildings, parking, drive aisles, trash/loading, utilities and all existing trees (show drip line). § 12-39.52
Scaled landscape plan showing existing vs. removed/retained trees, proposed species, sizes (minimum tree sizes where specified), irrigation and maintenance provisions. § 12-39.52, § 12-35.2
Fence/wall detail (location, materials, height) complying with § 12-93 limits. § 12-93.1–.6
Screening details for loading, refuse, transformers or telecom equipment (wall + 3‑ft landscaped buffer where required). § 12-39.53, § 12-106.6
If removing protected trees, Tree Removal & Cutting Permit application and replacement plan prepared in accordance with tree ordinance conditions. § 12-119
Parking landscaping and island plan showing required screening and that no parking occupies required landscape setbacks. § 12-32.13(10); § 12-39.53
If the project is subject to design review, include Objective Design Standards conformance and materials/colors supporting screening decisions. § 12-35.3, § 12-39.53

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Confusing tree prescription language in code excerpts	One retrieved passage reads oddly (e.g., “A minimum of fifty percent of all trees on-site must be winter deciduous such as evergreen trees”), suggesting a drafting error or misprint. This affects plant selection and compliance.	Verify the current authoritative text with Planning; request clarification of the intent and applicable species lists. (Ambiguous excerpt: § 12‑? in retrieved file)
Chain‑link prohibition vs. temporary construction fences	Chain‑link is broadly prohibited for permanent visible enclosures, but temporary construction fencing is exempt — reviewers expect permanent finishes for screening. § 12-93.2, § 12-93.6	Confirm when temporary fencing is acceptable and when a decorative permanent wall is required.
Parcel‑level setbacks and overlay rules	Some zones have special setbacks (e.g., front landscaped setbacks 15–25 ft in M‑1L depending on frontage) and overlay districts may alter landscaping/height rules. § 12-32.13(2)	Verify applicable overlay districts and the parcel’s zone, and cross‑check with development standards.
Telecom equipment height/discretion	For camouflaged ground‑mounted telecom, the Planning Commission has discretionary authority over maximum height in C‑C, T‑C, and O‑S, which affects buffer/landscape design. § 12-106.6(3)	If telecom is proposed, plan for alternative screening designs and expect discretionary conditions.
Transformer clearances vs. planting	Utility clearances (PG&E greenbook) recommend clearances and planter dimensions — planting too close can conflict with safety/utility requirements.	Coordinate with utility and include transformer screening details that meet the utility’s clearance guidelines as well as the City’s screening expectations. See the transformer guidance included in code materials and Greenbook excerpts.

Plain-English Summary

Inglewood’s zoning code requires a submitted landscape plan for most non‑single‑family projects, limits fence and hedge heights in front yards (4 ft) and allows up to 8 ft in rear/side yards, forbids chain‑link as a permanent visible screen, requires parking and loading areas to be screened with plants/walls, and makes tree removal subject to permit and replacement rules — see § 12-39.52, § 12-93.1–.2, § 12-32.13, and § 12-119 for the controlling language.

Source References

§ 12-93 (Fence Regulations; residential & nonresidential limits; permits, hedges, temporary security) — Inglewood Municipal Code.
§ 12-39.52, § 12-39.53, § 12-39.54 (Site plan / landscape plan submission and standards governing approval) — Inglewood Municipal Code.
§ 12-32.13 (M‑1L development standards: setbacks, landscaped setbacks, trees per 20 ft, parking landscaping) — Inglewood Municipal Code. § 12-32.13(9–10).
§ 12-106.6 (Telecommunication facility development requirements; 3‑ft landscaped buffer; enclosure requirements) — Inglewood Municipal Code.
§ 12-35.2 – § 12-35.3 (D Zone / design review submission and standards) — Inglewood Municipal Code.
§ 12-119, § 12-120 (Protected trees, conditions of approval, permit exceptions) — Inglewood Municipal Code (Tree Removal/Cutting permit rules).
City navigation pages used on GoCodebook for cross‑reference: Inglewood Zoning, Inglewood Development Standards, Inglewood Design Review, Inglewood Parking, Inglewood Overlay Districts, Inglewood ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Inglewood Zoning Code (§ 12-39.54.) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (Section are) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (§ 12-106.6.) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (§ 12-32.14.) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (§ 12-35.1.) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (Article 6.) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (§ 12-106.6.) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (§ 12-39.52.) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (Article are) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (Article 3) High relevance
Inglewood Zoning Code (§ 12-34.1.) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Inglewood code library

Frequently asked questions

What are the Inglewood front yard fence height limits?

Front‑yard fences in residential zones are limited to 4 ft; portions above 2 ft must be open‑work and ornamental metal open‑work can allow up to 5 ft in some configurations. See § 12-93.1.

Do commercial parking lots need landscaping and screening in Inglewood?

Yes. Parking areas must be screened, modulated or interrupted from public streets and adjacent properties by landscaping and decorative walls or fences; no parking is permitted inside required landscape setbacks. See § 12-39.53 and § 12-32.13(10).

What must a landscape plan include for site plan review in Inglewood?

A landscape plan must be drawn to scale and show locations of existing and proposed trees, plant varieties and sizes, areas to be removed/retained, and permanent irrigation; it is required at submission for projects needing site plan review. See § 12-39.52 and § 12-35.2.

Are chain‑link fences allowed for screening equipment or loading areas?

Chain‑link is broadly prohibited for permanent enclosures that are visible; the code requires masonry, tubular steel, wrought iron or decorative walls for such uses and also requires planted buffers for equipment enclosures. See § 12-93.2 and § 12-106.6(1–2).

What landscaping/tree planting rates apply in industrial zones like M‑1L?

M‑1L development standards call for trees equal in number to one tree per 20 linear feet of each interior property line, with a minimum size of 15‑gallon at planting. See § 12-32.13(9).

If I need to remove a large tree, what does Inglewood require?

Removal of a “protected tree” requires a Tree Removal/ Cutting Permit and the city may impose replacement, certified arborist supervision, and protective fencing in the protected zone; emergency exceptions are limited and replacement sizes are specified. See § 12-119 and § 12-120.

Are there required buffers around telecom or utility equipment?

Yes — for ground‑mounted telecom/ accessory equipment the code requires a minimum 3‑ft landscaped buffer outside a decorative wall/fence, planting sufficient to screen the equipment, and prohibits chain‑link for the enclosure. See § 12-106.6(2).

Will design review require different or additional landscaping than zoning?

Yes. Zones subject to the supplemental D Design Review zone or Planning Commission plan review require landscaping, walls and screening to meet design compatibility and Objective Design Standards; the Planning Commission may impose additional landscaping or screening conditions. See § 12-35.3 and § 12-39.53.

Can I put parking in a required landscape setback?

No. The code explicitly prohibits parking within required landscape setbacks; parking areas must be separated from public view by landscaping and decorative walls. See § 12-32.13(2) and § 12-39.53.

Who decides if an alternate screening solution is acceptable?

Where the code grants discretion (for example some telecom equipment height or special site contexts), the Planning Commission or Director reviews submittals and may impose conditions; for many projects the Director can require extra information or the Planning Commission will set conditions. See § 12-106.6(3) and § 12-39.53.

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