Lincoln — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Lincoln's zoning/planning ordinance requires for landscaping and screening — fences, walls, hedges, tree replacement, and screening of equipment or vehicles — and where those rules live in the code. For background on the city's overall rules and how they interact with site planning and design review, see the Lincoln zoning & planning overview and the Lincoln Zoning pages. Many landscaping requirements are administered as part of design review and project-level development standards; consult the Lincoln Design Review and Lincoln Development Standards guidance early in design.

What this page covers and what it does not

• In scope: municipal zoning/planning rules for fences, walls, required landscape plans, tree preservation/replacement, screening of vehicles/equipment, and landscaping as a mitigation tool in special permit chapters of Lincoln’s code (Title 18 chapters referenced below).
• Out of scope: building-code (Title 24) structural rules, Building Department permit details, and state ADU or housing-law limits (those topics live on the California Building Standards Code and Lincoln ADUs pages).

District-by-district breakdown

The Lincoln Municipal Code excerpts provided refer explicitly to a handful of zoning or plan contexts where landscaping/screening rules apply. The code text available in the retrieved materials explicitly names the following local contexts; where the code excerpt does not list typical permitted uses or fine-grained dimensional tables, I note "Not found in retrieved materials" so you can verify with the jurisdiction.

Note: the municipal code uses chapter designations (for example Chapter 18.36 for fences and accessory uses, Chapter 18.67 for design review, Chapter 18.69 for oak trees). If you need the city's full map of district labels (for example R-1, R-2, C-N, M-1), verify with the Lincoln Zoning page or Community Development — those specific district labels were Not found in retrieved materials.

R district (residential)

• Purpose / where it applies: applies to single- and multi-family residential parcels described generically as the R district in the code excerpts. See requirements for accessory structures and yard uses in Chapter 18.36.050.
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials (verify with the zoning map / permitted use tables on the city's zoning page). Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Key landscaping / screening standards:
  • Residential accessory structures have minimum side-yard setbacks and corner-lot side-street offsets for accessory buildings: accessory structures in any R district must not be located within five feet of the side property line (and ten feet from the street side line on a corner lot) (§ 18.36.050) .
  • Storage of mobile homes, trailers, boats or RVs: may not be stored in required front yards or side-street yards; if stored, they must be located behind a six-foot-high wall, fence or adequate landscaped screen in the side or rear yard (§ 18.36.030) .

Planned Development (PD) (specific / general development plans)

• Purpose / where it applies: PD zones require preliminary and specific development plans showing "general landscaping features" and the "location and size of all fencing or screening" as part of the PD approvals (see § 18.32.090–110) .
• Typical permitted uses: determined by the approved PD/general development plan (Not found in retrieved materials). Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Key landscaping / screening standards:
  • A specific development plan must include "general landscaping features" and the "location and size of all fencing or screening" as part of the submittal requirements (§ 18.32.110) .
  • PD approvals commonly carry landscaped buffering and maintenance obligations in project conditions of approval (the code requires those elements to be in the plan; details are set in the PD approvals).

Airport Hazard Zone (Lincoln Municipal Airport area)

• Purpose / where it applies: Airport Hazard Zone rules appear in Chapter 18.70 and emphasize that tree/structure heights and other hazards are regulated to prevent airport hazards; conflicts are resolved in favor of the stricter limitation (trees and structure heights may be limited) (§ 18.70.010–020) .
• Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials; airport-adjacent restrictions prioritize safety and may limit tree heights. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Key landscaping / screening standards:
  • Where the code conflicts with airport hazard provisions, the more restrictive rule applies — this can affect tree height/placement and may require pruning or not permitting certain tree types (§ 18.70.020) .

Wireless Communications Facilities (Chapter 18.41)

• Purpose / where it applies: local rules for siting wireless facilities specifically require landscaping as a visual mitigation where appropriate (§ 18.41.150) .
• Typical permitted uses: wireless communications facilities consistent with Chapter 18.41 (telecom facilities are regulated separately; see wireless chapter).
• Key landscaping / screening standards:
  • Landscaping must be used "wherever appropriate" as screening to reduce visual impacts and must be visually compatible with existing vegetation in the vicinity; existing landscaping must be protected and a tree-protection plan may be required (§ 18.41.150(a–b)) .
  • Off-site landscaping (subject to willing property owners) or additional rights-of-way landscaping may be required to obscure facilities from view (§ 18.41.150(c)) .

Public Utilities / Transmission Facilities (utility routing & substations)

• Purpose / where it applies: rules for high-voltage transmission, substations, and other utilities direct that landscaping may be required to mitigate visual impacts for transmission facilities and routing preferences should minimize visible impacts. These policies are part of transmission-facilities permit review and the city's mitigation approach. Not all details are reproduced in the retrieved snippets but the code requires landscaping be considered as mitigation (§ 18.36.xx policies and transmission facility permit policies).
• Typical permitted uses: utility facilities where permitted by permit process; see the transmission facilities permit hearing and findings requirements.
• Key landscaping / screening standards:
  • The city policy specifically lists "using landscaping to screen or soften the visual impacts of projects" as an appropriate mitigation for transmission facilities (§ 18.36. policies quoted under the transmission facilities permit rules) — see the transmission facilities permit chapter for application requirements and hearings.

Placer County Conservation Program (PCCP) / HCP–NCCP area (Chapter 18.89)

• Purpose / where it applies: projects in the PCCP area must follow the HCP/NCCP and CARP and provide biological and site mapping data — landscaping in sensitive areas may be controlled by conservation/mitigation requirements rather than standard landscape rules (§ 18.89.020 and § 18.89.080) .
• Typical permitted uses: development projects subject to HCP/NCCP.
• Key landscaping / screening standards:
  • Project submittals in the PCCP area must include "general landscaping features" and biological assessments; specific mitigation planting and tree handling requirements are governed by the HCP/NCCP and CARP rather than only the zoning chapter (§ 18.89.080 and cross-referenced HCP/NCCP requirements) .

Citywide technical standards and rules (decision-relevant table)

This table pulls together the most commonly applied, decision-relevant standards and the controlling code citations you will reference on a site plan.

Practical guidance / plain-English synthesis

• If your project is discretionary (design review, PD, transmission facilities, wireless permit), prepare a landscape plan early: the code requires a preliminary landscape plan with plant names as part of design review submittals (§ 18.67.010) and specific development plans must include general landscaping features (§ 18.32.110) — include fence/wall heights and screening for refuse, transformers, and parking areas in the plan.
• For residential yards, expect to place screened storage (trailers, boats) behind a six-foot fence or hedge in the side/rear yard; front-yard fences are treated more strictly (generally limited to four feet and may need an encroachment permit) (§ 18.36.030–040) .
• Design-review approvals are tied to landscaping: the city will not allow occupancy until approved landscaping is installed, or the applicant posts a performance bond (§ 18.67.050) — plan for either immediate installation or bonding.
• Oak trees: the city prioritizes preservation of existing oak trees; if required replacement cannot fit on site, the code establishes a fee-in-lieu mechanism to fund off-site planting and habitat protection (§ 18.69 and replacement-fee provisions).
• For utilities and transformers, the city’s policy and utility guidance encourage using landscaping (and sometimes decorative walls) to screen pad-mounted equipment, but leave safety clearances and operational access (clearances) in place — check utility-specific clearance requirements versus the city’s visual-screening preferences (the code references landscaping as mitigation for transmission/facility visual impacts).

(For related site design topics see Lincoln Parking, Lincoln Overlay Districts, and Lincoln Development Standards. For ADU-specific exemptions to landscaping/open-space rules, see Lincoln ADUs and state ADU law on the California ADU law page. Project construction and building elements remain under the California Building Standards Code: California Building Standards Code.)

Checklist

• Include a site plan showing walls/fences with heights and materials, locations of existing trees, and the preliminary landscape plan with plant names as required for design review (§ 18.67.010)
• If storing boats/RVs/trailers, locate them behind a six-foot wall/fence or landscaped screen in side/rear yard (not in required front yard) (§ 18.36.030)
• Ensure front-yard fences meet four-foot front-yard limitation and obtain City Engineer encroachment permit if required (§ 18.36.040(c)
• For projects subject to PD/specific development plan, show "general landscaping features" and fencing/screening (§ 18.32.110)
• If the project affects oak trees, provide oak tree protection/mitigation per Chapter 18.69; budget for replacement plantings or in-lieu fee if required (§ 18.69.000 and related subsections)
• For wireless or utility facilities, include landscape screening strategy and a tree-protection plan if existing landscaping is nearby (§ 18.41.150)
• Plan for landscaping completion or post a performance bond — occupancy will not be granted until landscaping complies with approved plan (§ 18.67.050)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Lincoln's zoning code requires you to show and install landscaping and screening early in discretionary projects (design review, PDs, transmission or wireless permits), limits front-yard fences (usually to four feet) while allowing six-foot side/rear yard fences and requires screened storage for boats/RVs behind six-foot walls or plant screens; landscaping must be installed (or bonded) before occupancy and oak trees are protected with replacement/fee rules (§ 18.36.030–040, § 18.67.010, § 18.67.050, § 18.69.000) .

Source References

• Lincoln Municipal Code — fences, vehicle storage and accessory uses: § 18.36.030 and § 18.36.040.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — design review application and landscape plan requirements: § 18.67.010 and related criteria/inspection: § 18.67.030 and § 18.67.050.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — wireless communications landscaping rules: § 18.41.150.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — PD / specific development plan landscaping submittal requirements: § 18.32.110.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — oak tree preservation policy and replacement-fee authority: Chapter 18.69 (Oak Tree Preservation) and associated subsections.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — transmission facilities permit policies that list landscaping as a mitigation tool (transmission facilities permit chapter excerpts).
• Utility screening guidance (illustrative; not a city ordinance): PG&E Greenbook examples for landscape screening of pad-mounted transformers (useful for design coordination).

Retrieved passages

• Lincoln Zoning Code (Chapter 18.56.) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§8.03.000) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§2) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (title for) Medium relevance show source text
• CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (section view) Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§2) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§8.03.020) High relevance show source text
• Lincoln Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Lincoln Municipal Code — fences, vehicle storage and accessory uses: § **18.36.030** and § **18.36.040**.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — design review application and landscape plan requirements: § **18.67.010** and related criteria/inspection: § **18.67.030** and § **18.67.050**.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — wireless communications landscaping rules: § **18.41.150**.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — PD / specific development plan landscaping submittal requirements: § **18.32.110**.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — oak tree preservation policy and replacement-fee authority: Chapter **18.69** (Oak Tree Preservation) and associated subsections.
• Lincoln Municipal Code — transmission facilities permit policies that list landscaping as a mitigation tool (transmission facilities permit chapter excerpts). (chapter excerpts)
• Utility screening guidance (illustrative; not a city ordinance): PG&E Greenbook examples for landscape screening of pad-mounted transformers (useful for design coordination).
• Lincoln_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Green Building Standards Code.md
• 2022 PGE Greenbook.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Lincoln code library