Lemon Grove — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Lemon Grove Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) requires for landscaping and screening (fences, walls, hedges, berms, rooftop screening, parking-lot planting, etc.). The controlling provisions are found in § 17.24.050 (Landscaping and screening) together with related yard and district rules (for example § 17.24.030 for yards and the district chapters such as § 17.16.060 for Central Commercial and § 17.16.080 for Heavy Commercial). Read this as plain‑English interpretation and practical guidance; always verify parcel‑specific questions with the city. § citations below come from the Lemon Grove zoning code.

Important cross‑topics: landscaping requirements interact with off‑street parking, development setbacks and development standards, and may trigger design review or overlay provisions in overlay districts. Mechanical equipment screening also interacts with the California Building Standards Code for construction requirements.

Key city rules (what the code actually says)

• Landscaping minimums: residential developments must devote 15% of the total lot area to landscaping; nonresidential developments must devote 10% of the lot area to landscaping (§ 17.24.050) .
• Parking-lot planting: for off‑street parking areas with five or more spaces, at least 10% of the parking area must be landscaped and there must be one tree per six parking spaces (trees at least 15‑gallon and irrigated) (§ 17.24.050) .
• Irrigation and plant selection: required landscaping must be installed per a landscape plan approved by the Community Development Director, use drought‑resistant plants, and be served by a permanent water‑conserving irrigation system with an automatic rain sensor (§ 17.24.050) .
• Screening between uses: where a non‑residential use (including parking areas of five or more spaces) abuts a residential property, the non‑residential property must provide a screening device — either dense landscaping at least 3.5 ft wide or a solid fence/wall at least 6 ft high (§ 17.24.050) .
• Parking/loading edge screening: when a parking or loading area (five+ spaces or a loading area) adjoins a street or required front/corner yard, provide a solid wall/fence or compact evergreen hedge ≥ 3.5 ft high along either the street lot line or the street side of the parking/loading area (§ 17.24.050) .
• Rooftop and mechanical screening: rooftop mechanical equipment on commercial, industrial and multifamily buildings must be screened from adjacent streets and sidewalks (§ 17.24.050) .
• Planting performance: shrubs intended to form dense screens and groundcover must be capable of reaching required height/coverage within one year of planting (§ 17.24.050) .
• Curbing: except in RL and RL/M districts, all planting areas must be bounded by a curb at least 6 inches high (§ 17.24.050) .

Fence/wall rules (general and by situation)

• Residential zones (including RL, RL/M, RM, RM/H and RP) — general rules:
  • Fences and walls on private property that comply may be built up to 6 ft high without a building permit (subject to material/construction rules); however, any portion of a solid fence/wall located in a required front yard or side‑street setback generally may not exceed 42 inches unless otherwise approved via variance (§ 17.24.050) .
  • On corner lots abutting arterial/collector streets, side‑street fences may be up to 6 ft and parts in the front yard/setback are limited to 42 inches, subject to sight‑distance review by the city engineer (§ 17.24.050; see also § 17.24.030 for sight‑triangle rules) .
  • Landscaping forming solid hedges in front and street side setbacks is allowed but must not exceed 42 inches (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Barbed wire/razor ribbon is prohibited in residential zones except in very limited rear‑lot circumstances with Community Development Director approval (§ 17.24.050) .
• Commercial & industrial zones:
  • Fences/walls in commercial/industrial zones within required front or street‑side yards generally may not exceed 3.5 ft, but some zoning districts and situations allow exceptions (e.g., HC and LI can extend up to 6 ft except in the sight zone; GC has a stepped height allowance moving back from the property line) (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Barbed wire/razor ribbon may be allowed in commercial or industrial zones with Community Development Director approval where demonstrated necessary; maximum heights can be up to 7 ft including barbed wire unless higher is justified and approved (§ 17.24.050) .
• Materials and maintenance:
  • Allowed materials include decorative masonry, stone, solid wood or durable simulated wood, neutral‑colored rigid vinyl, open chainlink (with limitations), and other durable low‑maintenance materials approved by the Community Development Director (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Prohibited materials include plywood/OSB, corrugated metal, plastic/fabric tarps, patio shade cloths, and barbed wire in residential zones (except as noted) (§ 17.24.050) .
  • The owner must keep fences, walls and screening devices in good repair and remove graffiti within 48 hours (§ 17.24.050) .
• Special treatments and exceptions:
  • A landscaped earthen berm may count toward required screening heights (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Fences/walls over 6 ft (measured from finished grade) in residential zones require Community Development Director approval and must meet variance findings (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Clearances: a 3‑foot clearance must be provided between fences/walls and fire hydrants or other fire‑protection water supply sources (per Cal Fire Code reference in the municipal code) (§ 17.24.050) .

District-by-district practical breakdown

Below are the Lemon Grove districts most relevant to landscaping/screening. For each district I list the purpose and the landscaping/screening rules that apply to developments in that district (code citations are provided).

Note: the principal landscaping/screening rules are in § 17.24.050 and apply across zones; district chapters invoke or modify those standards for district‑specific development standards. Always check both the district section and § 17.24.050 for the parcel in question.

RL and RL/M (single‑family residential)

• Purpose: low‑density residential neighborhoods (see Title 17 district listings) (§ 17.04.020) .
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings and accessory uses; subject to lot and yard rules (see § 17.24.030).
• Key landscaping/screening points:
  • 15% minimum landscaping for residential projects (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Planting areas in RL and RL/M are exempt from the curbing requirement that applies elsewhere (the curb requirement is explicitly excepted for these districts) (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Residential fences generally: 6 ft max on private property; 42 in max within front/side‑street setback unless variance approved; barbed wire prohibited (§ 17.24.050) .

RM and RM/H (multifamily residential)

• Purpose: medium to higher density residential; multifamily development standards apply.
• Typical permitted uses: multi‑unit housing, accessory residential features.
• Key landscaping/screening points:
  • 15% landscaping minimum applies to residential developments (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Rooftop mechanical screening is required for multifamily buildings (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Where private usable open space abuts other uses, the planning director may require screening not greater than 6 ft (dense landscaping or a fence) for privacy (§ 17.16.* development standards referenced via § 17.24.050) .

RP (Residential Professional)

• Purpose: small mixed residential/office settings (development standards require planned development review).
• Typical permitted uses: professional offices compatible with residential neighborhoods, and residential uses.
• Key landscaping/screening points:
  • 15% landscaping minimum for residential uses; landscaping plans required and drought‑tolerant plantings plus irrigation are mandatory (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Fences/walls and screening follow residential rules—6 ft max, 42 in max in front setbacks—unless the planned development process imposes more restrictive provisions (§ 17.24.050) .

CC (Central Commercial) — § 17.16.060

• Purpose: pedestrian‑oriented neighborhood commercial and mixed residential uses (§ 17.16.060) .
• Typical permitted uses: retail, restaurants (without drive‑through), offices, upper‑floor residential (see the zone table) (§ 17.16.060) .
• Key landscaping/screening points:
  • Nonresidential landscaping minimum is 10% of the lot (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Outdoor dining and parklet delineation may require low vertical barriers (max 3 ft) and cannot use solid planter boxes as the primary delineation — see CC outdoor‑use standards which link back to the general screening requirements (§ 17.16.060; § 17.24.050) .

GC, HC, LI (General/Heavy/Light Industrial & Commercial)

• Purpose: commercial and industrial activities that need screening from adjacent residential areas.
• Typical permitted uses: retail, services, warehouses, light/heavy commercial functions (varies by zone section).
• Key landscaping/screening points:
  • Nonresidential 10% landscaping minimum applies (§ 17.24.050) .
  • Screening required where nonresidential abuts residential: 6 ft solid fence/wall or 3.5 ft dense planting (§ 17.24.050) .
  • District exceptions: HC and LI allow fences/screens up to 6 ft in certain situations (except sight‑zone areas); GC allows a stepped fence height increasing with distance from the property line (e.g., 4 ft at 2 ft behind property line, up to 5.5 ft at 8 ft behind property line) (§ 17.24.050) .

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards

Checklist

• Produce a landscape plan (show species, sizes, location) and submit to the Community Development Director for approval (§ 17.24.050) .
• Show total lot area and confirm 15% (residential) or 10% (nonresidential) landscaping provided (§ 17.24.050) .
• For parking areas (≥5 spaces) show 10% parking‑area landscaping and specify tree planting (1/6 spaces, 15‑gal min) (§ 17.24.050) .
• Specify permanent, water‑conserving irrigation with automatic rain sensor on plan (§ 17.24.050) .
• Indicate screening where non‑residential abuts residential — show 6 ft solid wall or 3.5 ft dense planting (§ 17.24.050) .
• If proposing fencing in front setback or >6 ft, prepare justification and apply for variance or Community Development Director approval; show sight triangle/engineer study if on an arterial corner (§ 17.24.030; § 17.24.050; § 17.28.060) .
• Note materials to be used for fences/walls and confirm they are not in the prohibited list (§ 17.24.050) .
• Keep proof of maintenance plan (city may require long‑term maintenance conditions) (§ 17.24.050) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English summary

Lemon Grove requires landscape areas (15% for residential, 10% for nonresidential), drought‑tolerant plants, irrigation with a rain sensor, and screening where nonresidential uses meet homes; fences are generally allowed up to 6 ft but solid fences in front yards are limited to 42 inches unless approved, and commercial districts have measured exceptions — consult § 17.24.050 and your district rules before you build.

Source References

• Title 17, Zoning Ordinance — citation and adoption (Title header and purposes) § 17.04.010 and related opening provisions.
• § 17.24.050 — Landscaping and screening (primary controlling text for landscaping, parking landscaping, screening, fence materials, and rooftop screening).
• § 17.24.030 — Yards and setbacks (sight‑triangle and corner lot rules that interact with fence location/heights).
• § 17.16.060 — Central Commercial (CC) zone development rules referenced for downtown/pedestrian areas.
• § 17.16.080 — Heavy Commercial (HC) zone (examples of district exceptions for screening/fence heights).
• Variance procedures referenced: § 17.28.060 (for fence heights requiring a variance) — cited in the fencing provisions.
• Internal GoCodebook pages linked in the body used for navigation and related topics: Lemon Grove zoning overview and topic pages (parking, design review, overlays, ADUs, development standards, Title 24 link). See the links embedded earlier for each topic.
• Note: Where the municipal code references the California Fire Code or Title 24, those codes are external standards that affect final construction or clearance (see the municipal code citations above). For the state building code, consult the California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Lemon Grove Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CFC § 508.5.5 (Section 508.5.5) High relevance show source text
• Lemon Grove Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 463 High relevance show source text
• Lemon Grove Zoning Code (section and) High relevance show source text
• Lemon Grove Zoning Code (section which) High relevance show source text
• Lemon Grove Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CFC § 508.5.5 (Section 508.5.5) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Title 17, Zoning Ordinance — citation and adoption (Title header and purposes) **§ 17.04.010** and related opening provisions. (Title 17)
• **§ 17.24.050** — Landscaping and screening (primary controlling text for landscaping, parking landscaping, screening, fence materials, and rooftop screening). (§ 17.24.050)
• **§ 17.24.030** — Yards and setbacks (sight‑triangle and corner lot rules that interact with fence location/heights). (§ 17.24.030)
• **§ 17.16.060** — Central Commercial (CC) zone development rules referenced for downtown/pedestrian areas. (§ 17.16.060)
• **§ 17.16.080** — Heavy Commercial (HC) zone (examples of district exceptions for screening/fence heights). (§ 17.16.080)
• Variance procedures referenced: **§ 17.28.060** (for fence heights requiring a variance) — cited in the fencing provisions. (§ 17.28.060)
• Internal GoCodebook pages linked in the body used for navigation and related topics: Lemon Grove zoning overview and topic pages (parking, design review, overlays, ADUs, development standards, Title 24 link). See the links embedded earlier for each topic. (Title 24)
• Note: Where the municipal code references the California Fire Code or Title 24, those codes are external standards that affect final construction or clearance (see the municipal code citations above). For the state building code, consult the California Building Standards Code. (Title 24)
• LemonGrove_ZoningCode.md

• Official Lemon Grove code library