Local zoning · La Habra

La Habra — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What landscaping plan materials does La Habra require with a design‑review submission?

You must include a conceptual landscape plan showing all proposed landscape areas and materials as part of a design review application; the design review checklist explicitly lists a landscape plan among required submittal items. See § 18.68.030 .

Q: How many trees do I need in a parking lot in La Habra?

The code requires one tree per ten parking spaces , with trees provided as 24‑inch box minimum, and a street‑front tree at one per 20 feet of frontage; tree wells and planter dimensions are specified in the parking chapter. See § 18.14.070 .

Q: If my commercial property borders a single‑family neighborhood, do I have to build a wall?

Yes — the Corridor Specific Plan requires a solid masonry wall six feet in height between commercial and residential sites, except in front setback areas where walls may not exceed three feet ; measure height from the highest grade where grades differ. See § 18.44.050 .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the La Habra Zoning Code requires for landscaping and screening (including fences, walls, parking-lot planting, yard screening, trash/utility screening, and submittted landscape plans) as contained in the city zoning/planning ordinance. It focuses strictly on the rules and design standards found in the La Habra code text (Title 18 references below) and the Corridor Specific Plan; do not rely on this page for building-code (Title 24) requirements — the building code controls where it conflicts. For parking-related planting rules see the city's parking chapter. § citations below point to the controlling ordinance text.

Important internal links: the city's rules on parking, design review, La Habra Zoning, La Habra Development Standards, La Habra Overlay Districts, La Habra ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

What the code says — by place/district and topic

The La Habra Zoning Code and Corridor Specific Plan spread landscaping and screening rules across a few chapters. Below I translate and synthesize the applicable rules and point you to the controlling code citations.

Multi-Unit Residential zones (general multi-unit rules)

Purpose / where it applies: multi-unit zones requirements apply to developments with multiple dwelling units and are summarized under special development standards for multi-unit zones.
Key landscaping/screening rules:
- Required yard areas abutting public rights-of-way must be entirely landscaped with groundcover, trees, shrubs, and other permanent plant material; landscape plans must be submitted and approved pursuant to Chapter 18.16. See § 18.26.050.
- Trash and refuse storage must be screened from public view by a minimum six-foot-high concrete or solid masonry wall and located for pickup access; landscaping/vines are required on exposed elevations. See § 18.26.050.
Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials for each multi-unit subzone; confirm permitted uses in the full zone-use tables. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Commercial zones (C‑P, C‑1, C‑2, C‑2s, C‑2sH, C‑3)

Purpose / where it applies: These commercial zones are listed in the development standards tables for the city's commercial districts; height, FAR and setbacks are in Table 18.32.040. The Corridor Specific Plan adds context for the La Habra Corridor area.
Key dimensional / screening standards that affect landscaping:
- Front yard and side/rear setbacks and maximum heights in these zones are specified in Table 18.32.040 and related subsections (e.g., front yard minimum 15 ft, increased to 20 ft where building height exceeds 25 ft). These setbacks affect where landscape buffers and walls can be placed. See § 18.32.040.
- The Corridor Specific Plan (design standards) requires that where commercial sites abut residential properties, a solid masonry wall six feet in height be provided between commercial and residential uses, except in front setback areas where walls may not exceed three feet. Height is measured from the highest grade where grades differ. See § 18.44.050.
Typical permitted uses: Not printed in the retrieved excerpts; consult the full zone use tables for each zone. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Parking lots and parking-adjacent landscaping

Purpose / where it applies: Off‑street parking areas (Chapter 18.14) include specific planting and screening rules that apply to commercial and multi-family parking areas.
Key standards:
- A landscaped buffer along street frontages: minimum 15 ft width along the street frontage and 10 ft on the side street of corner lots (exclusive of driveways/approaches). See the parking chapter (Table and text under § 18.14.070 references).
- Landscaping in front setbacks may not exceed three feet in height, except for required trees or as approved by the director. See § 18.14.070.
- Trees: parking lot trees required at a ratio of one tree per ten parking spaces, minimum stock 24‑inch box; street‑frontage trees at one per 20 ft of frontage, also 24‑inch box. See Table and text in Chapter 18.14.
- Tree wells (diamond/half‑diamond planters) allowed with minimum dimension 3 ft × 3 ft; end stalls must abut landscape planters with a 12‑inch step out. See § 18.14.070.
- Parking areas adjacent to a public sidewalk or right-of-way must be screened with a 36‑inch high solid hedge placed at the rear of the required landscape setback. See § 18.14.070.
- When a parking lot adjoins a residential zone, screening by wall, fence, or evergreen hedge is required per code; parking areas must also be screened from street frontages by landscaping, fencing, or building placement; landscape screening heights for screening are explicitly discussed. See § 18.14.070 and § 18.44.050.

Walls, fences, hedges and related design controls

Where it’s stated to live in the code: Walls/fences rules are addressed in the general regulations and by cross-reference to Section 18.12.070 (Fences, walls, and hedges) and Section 18.12.080 (Required walls) — those are the controlling local fence/wall rules. See § 18.12.070 and § 18.12.080.
Corridor Specific Plan requirements add:
- Wall materials should be masonry-type (brick, slump stone, tile, textured concrete, stucco on masonry, etc.); plain precision concrete block and chain link with inserts are discouraged/prohibited as wall material in Corridor SP contexts. See § 18.44.050.
- Wall caps should be provided and not exceed 4 inches in height. See § 18.44.050.
- Perimeter walls along public streets shall have offsets (a minimum 5 ft deep for every 50–75 linear ft) with landscape strips of 18 inches depth in front (or pilasters every 40–60 ft with 3 ft landscape strip). See § 18.44.050.

Utilities, transformers, mechanical equipment and meters (screening)

The code requires that electrical meters, transformers, vaults and similar above‑ground utility equipment be placed appropriately and screened on all sides by landscaped screens, fences, or walls (often not less than six feet high) and not inside recreational areas. See § 18.26.050 and related Corridor SP language.
The Corridor SP states that ground‑mounted mechanical equipment that cannot be placed away from the street frontage must be screened with landscape or roof/parapet architecture. See § 18.44.050.
Utility clearances and minimum distances from meters/water/gas laterals and hydrants are referenced (e.g., trees/shrubs shall be a minimum of 5 ft from water meters, 10 ft from utility poles, and 3 ft from fire hydrants) — check the code/Fire Dept for site‑specific clearance approvals. See the mechanical/utility subsection in the Corridor SP.

Design review and landscape plan submittal requirements

Any application requiring design review must include a landscape plan as part of the design review submittal: a conceptual landscape plan showing proposed landscape areas and materials is specifically listed among required items for design review applications. See § 18.68.030.
The design review process is used to confirm landscaping, screening, wall/fence materials, and placement for projects that are subject to site plan or design review. See § 18.68.030 and the Corridor SP design review guidance.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant landscaping & screening standards

Topic	Key standard / requirement	Code reference
Parking‑lot trees	1 tree per 10 parking spaces, minimum 24‑inch box; street‑front tree at 1 per 20 ft of frontage	§ 18.14.070
Street‑front landscape width	15 ft min along street frontage; 10 ft on side street of corner lots (excluding drives)	§ 18.14.070
Parking screening at sidewalk	36‑inch high solid hedge at rear of required landscape setback	§ 18.14.070
Commercial‑to‑residential buffer	Solid masonry wall 6 ft high between commercial and residential; 3 ft max in front setbacks; measure height from highest grade	§ 18.44.050
Trash enclosure screening	Screen on all sides by 6‑ft‑high concrete or solid masonry wall with a gate	§ 18.26.050
Fence/wall materials & design	Masonry, tile, textured concrete, stucco on masonry; no barbed wire/chain‑link in visible locations per Corridor SP	§ 18.44.050; cross‑refs § 18.12.070/§ 18.12.080
Landscape plan required for design review	Submit conceptual landscape plan with design‑review application	§ 18.68.030
Irrigation	Underground irrigation required; direct spray away from sidewalks; irrigation drainage must not run onto adjacent private property	§ 18.14.070

Checklist

Prepare and submit a conceptual landscape plan with design‑review or site‑plan submittal per § 18.68.030.
Show parking lot planting: dimensioned planters, tree count (1 per 10 stalls), tree sizes (24‑inch box minimum) and tree wells where used; call out irrigation and wheel‑stop/curb protection per § 18.14.070.
Provide screening details for trash enclosures (min 6 ft masonry wall and gate) and for any above‑ground utility equipment per § 18.26.050.
If the site abuts a residential zone, plan for the 6‑ft masonry wall buffer (except in front setbacks where max 3 ft) and show wall height measured from the highest grade where grades differ per § 18.44.050.
Specify wall/fence materials, caps, offsets and planting strips called for in the Corridor Specific Plan design standards and cross‑reference § 18.12.070/080 where applicable.
Show irrigation details (underground system), and locate plantings to maintain required clearances to meters, poles, hydrants per the Corridor SP utility rules; verify with Fire Dept.
If project triggers design review, include all items listed in § 18.68.030 (color elevations, material board, landscape plan, utilities and screen details).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Exact text of Chapter 18.16 (landscape standards)	The code repeatedly requires submittal per Chapter 18.16, but the specific planting/maintenance standards and plant lists were not present in the retrieved excerpts	Chapter 18.16 text not found in retrieved materials — verify with the City for planting palettes, minimum planting area calculations and maintenance requirements (Verify with the jurisdiction).
Precise residential fence height rules in Section 18.12.070/080	The Corridor SP and multi‑unit sections cross‑reference these sections for fences and required walls; the full fence code language (e.g., allowable materials in non‑Corridor areas) was not included in excerpts	The code cross‑references § 18.12.070 and § 18.12.080 — retrieve those sections and confirm permitted materials and height limits.
Plant species / drought tolerant / fire‑safe requirements	The excerpts reference tree sizes and irrigation but do not provide plant lists or fire‑wise species lists	Not found in retrieved materials — consult the City's landscape standards (Chapter 18.16), local fire department, and any WUI rules.
Overlap with Building Code (Title 24)	Screening that involves structural walls, retaining walls or rooftop screening may trigger building permits and Title 24 compliance	Building code takes precedence where conflicts exist — see § 18.08.010; consult building permit counter for structural screen walls.
Parcel grade differences affecting wall height	Code measures wall height from highest grade where adjacent grades differ — mismeasurement can lead to a noncompliant wall	Verify topography-based height measurement method on plans and confirm with the City; see § 18.44.050.

Plain‑English Summary

In La Habra you must submit a landscape plan with design‑review/submittal and provide planted buffers, parking lot trees, irrigation, and screens for trash and utility equipment; when a commercial site backs to residential it generally requires a 6‑foot masonry wall (3‑foot maximum in front setbacks), and parking lot planting and hedge screening standards (trees per stalls, 36‑inch hedge at sidewalks) are enforced — see the cited La Habra code sections for exact wording.

Source References

§ 18.44.050, Corridor Specific Plan — Special development standards (fences, walls, materials, offsets, wall heights between commercial and residential).
§ 18.26.050, Multi‑unit zone special development standards (usable yard area, landscaping and screening requirements, trash enclosure screening).
Chapter 18.14 / § 18.14.070 (Off‑Street Parking Requirements — parking lot landscaping, tree counts, planter sizes, screening hedges).
§ 18.12.070 and § 18.12.080 (Fences, walls, hedges and required walls — referenced across zones; retrieve full text for fence standards).
§ 18.68.030, Design Review application submittal checklist (requires conceptual landscape plan in the package).
§ 18.08.010, Building code precedence (building code/Title 24 takes precedence where conflicts occur).
Utility/clearance, mechanical screening and tree clearances: Corridor SP mechanical/utility subsection (trees/shrubs distances from meters/poles/hydrants).
Note: Chapter 18.16 (landscape plan standards) is repeatedly referenced in the retrieved excerpts but the full Chapter text was not present in the supplied materials. Not found in retrieved materials.

Sources

Retrieved passages

CBC § 1 (chapter shall) High relevance
La Habra Zoning Code High relevance
CFC § 3 (chapter shall) High relevance
CFC § 3 (§ 3) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) High relevance
La Habra Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
La Habra Zoning Code (chapter or) High relevance

Cited sections

Official La Habra code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping plan materials does La Habra require with a design‑review submission?

You must include a conceptual landscape plan showing all proposed landscape areas and materials as part of a design review application; the design review checklist explicitly lists a landscape plan among required submittal items. See § 18.68.030.

How many trees do I need in a parking lot in La Habra?

The code requires one tree per ten parking spaces, with trees provided as 24‑inch box minimum, and a street‑front tree at one per 20 feet of frontage; tree wells and planter dimensions are specified in the parking chapter. See § 18.14.070.

If my commercial property borders a single‑family neighborhood, do I have to build a wall?

Yes — the Corridor Specific Plan requires a solid masonry wall six feet in height between commercial and residential sites, except in front setback areas where walls may not exceed three feet; measure height from the highest grade where grades differ. See § 18.44.050.

Do parking lots need hedges or other screening along the sidewalk?

Parking areas adjacent to public sidewalks or rights‑of‑way must be screened with a 36‑inch high solid hedge placed behind the required landscape setback; parking areas must also be screened from street frontage by landscaping, fencing, or building placement. See § 18.14.070.

Are trash enclosures required to be screened?

Yes — trash, garbage and refuse storage areas must be screened from public view on all sides by a minimum six‑foot‑high concrete or solid masonry wall provided with a gate; location and access requirements are also specified. See § 18.26.050.

Do I need to worry about Title 24 (the building code) for landscape walls or trellis structures?

Potentially. The zoning title states the building code has precedence where conflicts exist, so structural walls, retaining elements, or rooftop screenings may trigger building‑code (Title 24) requirements in addition to zoning standards; confirm at the building counter. See § 18.08.010.

Are there specifications for plant species or a required plant list in the zoning text provided?

A specific plant palette or species list was not present in the retrieved excerpts; the code refers to Chapter 18.16 for landscape plan submittal standards, but the full Chapter 18.16 text was not present in the supplied materials. Not found in retrieved materials — verify with the City.

How does the code require mechanical or rooftop equipment to be screened?

Mechanical and rooftop equipment must be screened from public view behind a permanent parapet wall consistent with the building's architecture; ground‑mounted equipment that cannot be located away from frontages should be screened with landscaping or architectural screening. See § 18.44.050 and § 18.26.050.

Where do I find the rules for fences and allowed materials?

Fences and walls are governed by the fence sections referenced in the zoning code — see § 18.12.070 and § 18.12.080, and Corridor SP specifics about allowable wall materials in § 18.44.050. Retrieve the full fence sections to confirm residential fence heights and allowed materials.

If my site has different ground levels than my neighbor, how is wall height measured?

When a required wall is between properties with different grades, height is measured from the highest grade, per the Corridor Specific Plan requirement. See § 18.44.050. ---

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