La Verne — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of La Verne's zoning and planning ordinance requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences/walls, and tree protection. It is drawn from La Verne's municipal code provisions on the Hillside Development Overlay, parking lot landscaping, official/institutional zones, tree preservation, and precise-plan review. When the rules point to other adopted standards (for example water-efficient landscaping or tree regulations), those cross-references are noted. See La Verne's overall zoning and planning menu for context: La Verne Zoning and the municipal La Verne Land Use overview.

Important linked topics used below: parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) where construction-code obligations are relevant but out of scope here.

Key city rules (what the code actually says)

• Hillside areas (the H‑D‑O‑Z) carry specific landscaping, tree-protection and wall/fence rules: the overlay's purpose and scope and the requirements for preserving native vegetation and tree preservation plans are in § 18.68.010 and the hillside landscaping standards are in § 18.68.140 (tree protection, replacement ratios, street-tree rates, xeriscape encouragement) .
• Walls and fences within the Hillside overlay have explicit dimensional and design limits (maximum heights facing roadways, front-yard walls limits, setbacks from the right-of-way, and required softening treatments) in § 18.68.150 .
• Parking lot landscaping and peripheral screening standards (trees per number of stalls, planter widths, a 25 sq.ft. landscaping-per-stall ratio, minimum perimeter buffers of 5–10 feet, required walls in some adjacencies, tree spacing, and vine requirements to soften utility/trash screens) are set in Chapter 18.76 (see especially the parking-lot landscape minimums in § 18.76.080 and related subsections) .
• Loading and service areas must be screened from public view via walls, berms, landscaping or similar treatments (§ 18.76.140 D) .
• “Official” and “Institutional” zones carry a minimum site-landscaping requirement of 25% of the site (see § 18.56.080 for the Official zone and § 18.60.080 for the Institutional zone) .
• Precise-plan and development-review findings require that a landscape plan demonstrate visual relief, irrigation and maintenance provisions, screening of mechanical/grading impacts, preservation of native vegetation, and water conservation consistent with the city’s water-efficient landscaping provisions (see § 18.16.100(4)) .
• Tree protection and terminology (including “significant” and “heritage” trees and the decision makers for tree removals) are governed by Chapter 18.78 (see the definition references and decision‑maker language in Chapter 18.78 as cited throughout the code; e.g., references to § 18.78.020 for significant/heritage tree definitions) .
• The code directs that landscape designs encourage drought‑tolerant/xeriscape approaches and integration with building design; it also requires permanent automatic irrigation for landscaped areas under certain development chapters (see § 18.68.140 and precise-plan landscaping findings in § 18.16.100 and cross-reference to Chapter 18.118 Water Efficient Landscapes) .

District-by-district breakdown

(Each subsection below lists the local district name used in the ordinance, its purpose as stated in the code, typical uses that trigger landscaping/screening requirements, the most decision-relevant dimensional/landscape standards, and where the district typically applies in the city.)

A-1 (Agricultural)

• Purpose / typical uses: Large‑lot agricultural uses, grazing, equestrian uses and limited accessory uses (see Chapter 18.32). Development standards apply to barns, stables and agricultural support buildings. Typical developments with horses or equestrian uses must provide buffering and screening where needed to protect adjacent residential properties (see buffer requirement language) .
• Key landscape/screening standards: Minimum setbacks (front, side, rear) are called out (e.g., 25 ft minimum yards in many cases) and where noise/livestock adjacency occurs the planning commission can require buffering with walls and landscaping; see § 18.32.060 and related standards in Chapter 18.32 .
• Where it applies: Agricultural fringe and large-lot parcels identified on the zoning map (see Chapter 18.32) .

P‑R (Planned Residential)

• Purpose / typical uses: Designed residential subdivisions (see Chapter 18.36), including single‑family and multi‑unit planned communities that are typically reviewed through precise/master plan processes. Landscaping and open‑space plans are part of precise-plan submittals .
• Key landscape/screening standards: Landscaping must be integrated with street design, preserve native vegetation where possible, and may include community amenities (trails, greenbelts) required as part of project approvals; specific setbacks/dimensional standards are set in the applicable P‑R chapter and precise‑plan conditions (see Chapter 18.36 and § 18.16.100 for required findings) .
• Where it applies: Sites designated for planned residential development or specific plans. Verify parcel-specific precise-plan conditions.

Institutional Zone (I / “Institutional”)

• Purpose / typical uses: Schools, hospitals, churches, and other institutional uses that serve a wider public purpose; mixed uses allowed under master plans (see Chapter 18.60).
• Key landscape/screening standards: Minimum site landscaping of 25% of the site (§ 18.60.080). Precise plans and master plans must ensure protection of neighbors from aesthetic/noise/light/privacy impacts via landscaping and buffers § 18.60.090 and § 18.60.100 .
• Where it applies: Institutional parcels and campuses identified on the zoning map or approved master plans.

Official Zone (public/official uses)

• Purpose / typical uses: Public and quasi‑public agency facilities; the code expects these uses to meet the same design standards as private development where applicable (see Chapter 18.56).
• Key landscape/screening standards: Minimum site landscaping of 25% (§ 18.56.080). Master plan/precise plan approvals must address neighborhood compatibility and visual buffering (§ 18.56.090–110) .
• Where it applies: City, county, state and other public sites and facilities mapped in the Official zone.

H‑D‑O‑Z (Hillside Development Overlay Zone) — overlay rules that apply across base zones

• Purpose / typical uses: Supplemental standards for hillside development that address fire protection, tree preservation, siting, grading, and aesthetic protection of native landscapes § 18.68.010. The overlay applies to all land designated “hillside” on the Land Use Map .
• Key landscape/screening standards:
  • Preserve significant/native trees; require a tree‑preservation plan for hillside development; replacement of protected species at 4:1 where preservation is not possible (§ 18.68.140(A)(1)(iv)) .
  • Street trees on collector streets at the rate of one 15‑gal. tree per 20 linear feet (can be clustered) (§ 18.68.140(A)(5)) .
  • Landscaping shall be proportionate to the development and use drought‑tolerant/native species; tree‑maintenance plans (minimum five‑year program) required with tree preservation plans (§ 18.68.140(A)(1)(ii–iv)) .
  • Walls/fences facing public roadways not to exceed 5 ft; walls within required front yard setbacks not to exceed 3 ft; walls must be set back from the city right‑of‑way at least 5 ft and be designed to be visually interesting/softened (§ 18.68.150) .
• Where it applies: All parcels within the designated hillside overlay shown on the La Verne Land Use Map; overlay rules supplement base‑zone standards and are applied during project review § 18.68.010 .

Decision‑relevant standards table

Practical guidance / plain-English synthesis (how applicants usually satisfy these rules)

• If your project is in the H‑D‑O‑Z, plan to submit a tree preservation plan prepared or reviewed by a certified arborist that shows which trees will be preserved, which may be relocated, and, where required, the replacement strategy at 4:1 for protected species; include a five‑year maintenance program as part of the plan (§ 18.68.140) .
• For commercial or large residential projects, design parking lots to meet the 25 sq.ft./stall rule, include tree canopy calculations that show 50% shade in ten years, provide continuous planter belts or planting fingers and the 5–10 ft perimeter buffers when adjacent to different uses or residential zones (and add a wall where parking abuts residential) (§ 18.76.080) . Link the parking layout to landscape and irrigation plans early — review bodies will check both (see precise-plan findings) § 18.16.100 .
• Front-yard fences/walls in hillside projects are tightly limited (road-facing walls ≤ 5 ft, front‑yard walls ≤ 3 ft) and must be designed to avoid blank, tall masonry faces — use plantings, vine pockets and articulation to soften walls (§ 18.68.150) .
• All projects subject to precise-plan/design-review must show irrigation and maintenance commitments and conform to the city’s water‑efficient standards (see Chapter 18.118) § 18.16.100(4) .
• For tree work and removals on private property, consult Chapter 18.78 early: the code sets out definitions for “significant” and “heritage” trees and determines whether an application is ministerial or must go to the development review committee (see § 18.78.020 and related procedures) .
• When in doubt about frontage or setback fence rules outside the hillside overlay, confirm with staff: the hillside fence rules are explicit, but the code uses multiple chapters for fences and walls in different contexts (verify with the community development department) Verify with the jurisdiction.

Checklist (what an application must generally include)

• Landscape plan showing plant palette (drought‑tolerant emphasis), locations, sizes, and spacing, and integration with building design (Precise plan finding requirement) § 18.16.100(4)
• Irrigation plan and permanent automatic irrigation for all landscaped areas where required § 18.16.100(4)
• Parking-lot layout with landscape area calculations demonstrating 25 sq.ft. per stall (or meeting city‑specified ratio) and canopy/shade calculations for 10‑year maturity § 18.76.080
• Tree preservation plan and five‑year maintenance program when in hillside areas or when significant trees exist (include certified arborist report if required) § 18.68.140(A)(1)(ii) and Chapter 18.78
• Wall/fence elevations showing compliance with height and setback rules in hillside projects (road-facing ≤ 5 ft; front yard ≤ 3 ft) § 18.68.150
• Screening plan for loading/service areas and transformers using walls, berms, vines, or planting (per § 18.76.140 and landscape guidelines) § 18.76.140(D)
• Confirmation that landscape plans conform to Chapter 18.118 (water efficient landscaping) Chapter 18.118

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

La Verne's zoning code requires meaningful landscaping, tree protection and visual screening for new development: hillside projects need tree‑preservation plans and strict wall/fence limits, parking lots must meet planter/trees/buffer rules (including 25 sq.ft. of planting per stall), and institutional/official sites must provide 25% site landscaping. Precise plans and design review rely on your landscape, irrigation and maintenance commitments; check Chapters 18.68, 18.76, 18.78, and 18.16 when preparing submittals .

Source References

• § 18.68.010 (Hillside overlay — purpose & scope)
• § 18.68.140 (Hillside landscaping standards — tree preservation, replacement ratio, street trees)
• § 18.68.150 (Walls and fences — heights, setbacks, design)
• § 18.76.080 and related subsections (Parking lot landscaping, buffers, planter/spacing standards)
• § 18.76.140(D) (Loading area screening)
• § 18.16.100(4) (Precise‑plan findings — landscaping requirements for approval)
• § 18.56.080 (Official zone — minimum site landscaping 25%)
• § 18.60.080 (Institutional zone — minimum site landscaping 25%)
• Chapter 18.78 and § 18.78.020 (Tree definitions, significant/heritage tree protections and decision‑maker guidance)
• Chapter 18.118 (Water‑Efficient Landscapes — referenced by several development chapters)

Retrieved passages

• La Verne Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• La Verne Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• La Verne Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text
• La Verne Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance show source text
• La Verne Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance show source text
• La Verne Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance show source text
• La Verne Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• La Verne Zoning Code High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **§ 18.68.010** (Hillside overlay — purpose & scope) (§ 18.68.010)
• **§ 18.68.140** (Hillside landscaping standards — tree preservation, replacement ratio, street trees) (§ 18.68.140)
• **§ 18.68.150** (Walls and fences — heights, setbacks, design) (§ 18.68.150)
• **§ 18.76.080** and related subsections (Parking lot landscaping, buffers, planter/spacing standards) (§ 18.76.080)
• **§ 18.76.140(D)** (Loading area screening) (§ 18.76.140)
• **§ 18.16.100(4)** (Precise‑plan findings — landscaping requirements for approval) (§ 18.16.100)
• **§ 18.56.080** (Official zone — minimum site landscaping 25%) (§ 18.56.080)
• **§ 18.60.080** (Institutional zone — minimum site landscaping 25%) (§ 18.60.080)
• **Chapter 18.78** and **§ 18.78.020** (Tree definitions, significant/heritage tree protections and decision‑maker guidance) (Chapter 18.78)
• **Chapter 18.118** (Water‑Efficient Landscapes — referenced by several development chapters) (Chapter 18.118)
• LaVerne_ZoningCode.md

• Official La Verne code library