Local zoning · Lindsay
Lindsay — Landscaping and Screening
Landscaping and Screening under the Lindsay local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
Overview
Lindsay’s zoning code controls landscaping, screening, and fences primarily through the zoning chapters that govern property development standards and site plan review. Key rules require perimeter screening between commercial/industrial and residential zones, minimum wall/fence heights for screening, parking-area landscaping percentages, and submission/maintenance of landscaping and irrigation plans as part of site plan review. The code’s shoring-up provisions for fencing, sight-lines, irrigation and ongoing maintenance are distributed across the Title (not one single landscaping chapter) and are enforced through site plan review and district development standards (§ 18.18., § 18.06.050, § 18.10., § 18.11.*) .
Note: this page stays limited to what the Lindsay zoning/planning ordinance says about landscaping and screening. For building-code or permitting steps, see the California Building Standards Code and city permit pages. Link targets used in this page: parking, development standards (setbacks), design review, overlay districts, ADUs, California Building Standards Code.
How the rules are organized (quick map)
- General fence/wall limits and sight‑line exceptions: § 18.06.050
- Commercial district screening (adjacent to residential): § 18.10.060 / § 18.10.070
- Industrial district screening/open storage: § 18.11.050
- Parking landscaping and screening: § 18.13.070 (parking screening & 5% interior landscaping standard)
- Site plan submission and landscaping plan requirements: § 18.18.020 – .040 – .050 (drawings, conditions, findings)
- Landscaping maintenance and automatic irrigation for certain projects: § 18.15.070 and multifamily standards in the multifamily development chapter (§ 18.18 / project-level landscaping)
(First natural link occurrences in the body: "parking", "Development Standards", "design review", "overlay districts", "ADUs", "California Building Standards Code".)
District-by-district requirements (what applies where)
Below are Lindsay-specific districts where the zoning code contains explicit landscaping/screening or fence standards. Each subsection summarizes the district purpose, typical uses and the landscaping/screening rules that matter for applicants — with the controlling code citation.
CN (Neighborhood Commercial) and CC (Central Commercial)
- Purpose / typical uses: CN and CC are commercial districts for retail, services and neighborhood/central business activities. See the CN/CC required-conditions text for exact use lists.
- Key landscaping/screening rules: All commercial sites adjacent to residential districts must provide visual screening with an ornamental masonry wall and landscaping, with a wall height of minimum 7 ft unless modified by site plan review. Street trees and frontage landscaping with automatic irrigation are required for commercial frontage; parking-area landscaping may be required under site plan review. See § 18.10.060 and § 18.10.070 for these requirements and the authority to modify under Site Plan Review .
- Where it applies: Any CN or CC parcel abutting an RCO/UR/R/RM/PO district or across the street/alley from those districts; check adjacency rules in § 18.10.070 .
CS (Service Commercial) and CH (Highway Commercial)
- Purpose / typical uses: Service and highway-oriented commercial.
- Key rules: Similar screening mandates where these commercial sites adjoin residential; front yard and adjacency minimums are set in the property development standards subsections referenced in § 18.10.070 . Street-front landscaping and trees required per the general commercial directives under § 18.10.060 .
IL (Light Industrial) and IH (Heavy Industrial)
- Purpose / typical uses: Industrial operations, warehousing, manufacturing.
- Key landscaping/screening rules: Where a site adjoins a UR, RCO, RA, R, RM, PO or CC district, a solid wall or screen fence minimum 7 ft high (or alternative screening as determined by the planning department) must be located on the common property line, except in required front yards. Open storage generally must be surrounded/screened by a 7 ft wall/fence or compact evergreen hedge; screening is required when uses are visible/unsightly to adjacent residential districts. See § 18.11.050 for full list and enforcement discretion .
- Where it applies: Industrial parcels bordering residential or commercial-residential zones or across the street from them.
RM (Multifamily Residential) and R (Single-family/Residential districts)
- Purpose / typical uses: Multifamily (RM) and one-family residential (R) districts.
- Key rules affecting landscaping/screening: Fences, walls and hedges may be located in yards subject to the general fence limits; front-yard fences/walls generally limited to 3 ft (or 4 ft if top 1 ft is at least 50% open) and side/rear yard fences up to 7 ft (subject to corner-lot sight-line restrictions). The code allows chain-link fences up to 7 ft in front yards for public/quasi‑public uses. See § 18.06.050 and yard exceptions in § 18.15.040–.050 .
- Multifamily projects must submit a landscaping and irrigation plan before permit approval, favoring native/drought-tolerant plants, shade trees, and automatic irrigation; developers must provide a maintenance bond and maintenance contract for certain large residential projects; see the multifamily development landscaping rules § 18.18 / multifamily landscaping subsection .
PO (Professional Office) and RCO / UR / RA (special residential overlay districts named in the code)
- Purpose / typical uses: PO for office/institutional uses; RCO/UR/RA are residential designations used in adjacency rules.
- Key rules: Commercial or institutional sites that adjoin these residential categories trigger the 7 ft screening requirement on the common lot line and related landscape/street-tree requirements per § 18.10.060 / § 18.10.070 / § 18.11.050 .
Mobile Home Parks (special standards)
- Purpose / typical uses: Mobile home communities.
- Key landscaping/screening rules: Mobile home parks must provide a landscaped border along entire street frontage and ornamental screen wall or fencing 7 ft in height along interior side and rear property lines and street-side yards; landscaped recreation areas must be irrigated by automatic underground systems. See § 18.12 (Mobile Home Park standards) and the mobile‑home-park landscaping subsection (18.12.10 in the upload) .
Decision‑relevant standards (at-a-glance)
| Standard / Topic | Requirement (Lindsay zoning) | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial‑to‑residential perimeter screening | Ornamental masonry wall + landscaping; min. wall height: 7 ft (modifiable by site plan review) | § 18.10.060; § 18.10.070 |
| Industrial open storage screening | Solid wall/fence or compact evergreen hedge; min. 7 ft | § 18.11.050 |
| Front‑yard fence height | 3 ft max (4 ft allowed if top 1 ft is ≥50% open); chain‑link up to 7 ft allowed in front yard for public/quasi‑public uses | § 18.06.050 |
| Side/rear yard fence height | Up to 7 ft in side/rear yards | § 18.06.050 |
| Parking-area interior landscaping | At least 5% of the interior of some parking areas (RM, PO, C, I districts) | § 18.13.070 |
| Landscaping plans for site plan review | Landscaping location/type, botanical names, and irrigation method must be on site plan submittal | § 18.18.020 |
| Landscaping maintenance | Landscaped areas must be maintained; automatic irrigation required where specified; maintenance bond required for larger developments | § 18.15.070; multifamily rules § 18.18 / § 18.18.040 |
How screening and landscaping are enforced (practical guidance)
- Site plan review is the primary mechanism. Applicants must submit site plans showing walls/fences (location, height, materials) and a landscaping and irrigation plan (botanical names, sizes, irrigation method) as required by § 18.18.020; the city may impose conditions requiring special yards, buffers, walls, and maintenance bonds under § 18.18.040; and the council makes findings including landscaping and screening under § 18.18.050 .
- For parking projects, expect screening where parking adjoins residential and a requirement to distribute interior landscaping (minimum 5% in certain districts) under § 18.13.070 .
- For commercial or industrial sites adjacent to residential zones, the presumptive standard is an ornamental masonry wall and landscaping at a minimum 7 ft high; the planning department / city council can require different screening types under site plan review (see § 18.10.060, § 18.11.050) .
(First mention links used: see "parking" and "Development Standards" above and earlier mentions.)
Checklist (what an applicant must submit / be prepared to satisfy)
- Include walls/fences on the site plan with location, height and materials shown (requirement under § 18.18.020) .
- Provide a full landscaping and irrigation plan (botanical names, size at planting, irrigation method, autoshutoff/drip where applicable) as required by § 18.18.020 and multifamily standards .
- Where your site adjoins or faces residential zoning, plan for ornamental masonry wall + landscaping at 7 ft (or be ready to propose an alternative and justify it at site plan review) per § 18.10.060 and § 18.11.050 .
- For parking areas in C, I, RM or PO zones, show ≥5% interior landscaped islands and distributed trees per § 18.13.070 .
- Be ready for conditions of approval: maintenance bonds, irrigation installation, and long-term maintenance contract where required (see § 18.18.040, § 18.15.070) .
- Check fence height limits and corner-sightline restrictions for front, side, and corner lots per § 18.06.050 and the yard measurement/exception rules in § 18.15.040–.050 .
- If proposing alternatives to standard masonry screening or different plant palettes, be prepared to justify under site plan review and provide maintenance/irrigation assurances per § 18.18.040 .
(Also verify whether overlays or historic preservation requirements apply to your parcel — see Lindsay Overlay Districts and Lindsay Historic Preservation pages.)
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| “7 ft” screening language — is masonry required or just “ornamental” screening? | The code calls for ornamental masonry walls for many commercial adjacencies but allows the planning department/council discretion during site plan review; material choice affects cost and approval. | Confirm with the planning department whether a different screening material is acceptable for your site at site plan review (See § 18.10.060, § 18.18.040) . |
| Corner-lot sight-line measurements differ between sections | Fence height exceptions for corner sight-lines use explicit diagonal measurements (25–30 ft depending on the chapter), which may affect allowed fence height on street corners. | Verify the applicable diagonal distance for your lot and whether you’re on a reverse corner; see § 18.06.050 and § 18.11.050(1)(4) . |
| Parking area landscaping % and applicability | The 5% interior requirement applies in certain districts and is subject to “practical” distribution; project size/layout can change how staff applies it. | Confirm whether your project’s district triggers § 18.13.070 and how the city measures “interior” area for landscaping calculations . |
| Maintenance bond / long‑term maintenance expectations | Multifamily and larger commercial projects have required maintenance bonds and contracts; small projects may still be required to demonstrate maintenance. | Ask planning staff whether a maintenance bond, proof of irrigation maintenance, or a one‑year staking removal timeframe is required for your project under § 18.15.070 and multifamily standards . |
| Industrial open-storage screening vs. visibility | The code requires screening where storage would be “visible” or “unsightly”; “unsightly” is subjective and could lead to differing staff/council decisions. | Clarify with the planning department if your storage area will trigger § 18.11.050 screening and whether compact hedges are acceptable instead of masonry . |
Plain‑English Summary
If your Lindsay project sits next to homes, or is commercial/industrial with outdoor storage or parking, the city expects screening (commonly a 7 ft ornamental wall plus plantings) and a landscaping plan with automatic irrigation; site plan review enforces these requirements and can require maintenance bonds and specific plant/irrigation measures. Verify exact material choices, corner-sightline exceptions and whether your district’s parking or multifamily rules apply with the planning department. Key code anchors are § 18.06.050, § 18.10.060–.070, § 18.11.050, § 18.13.070, and the site-plan provisions § 18.18.020–.050 .
Source References
- Lindsay Zoning Code — § 18.06.050 Fences, Walls and Hedges.
- Lindsay Zoning Code — § 18.10.060 Required Conditions for CN/CC and § 18.10.070 Property Development Standards (commercial screening and frontage landscaping).
- Lindsay Zoning Code — § 18.11.050 IL/IH Screening and Landscaping (industrial screening, open storage).
- Lindsay Zoning Code — § 18.13.070 Screening, Fencing and Landscaping for parking areas.
- Lindsay Zoning Code — § 18.15.070 Maintenance of Landscaped Areas.
- Lindsay Zoning Code — § 18.18.020, § 18.18.030, § 18.18.040, § 18.18.050 (Site Plan submission, conditions of approval, and required findings including landscaping)
- Lindsay Zoning Code — Multifamily landscaping and developer maintenance requirements (multifamily section).
- Mobile home park landscaping and screening requirements.
(Where language or applicability could not be confirmed from the uploaded materials, see "Information Gaps" below.)
Information Gaps
- Exact text of allowed alternative materials in lieu of “ornamental masonry” for commercial-to-residential screening: the code shows the default but grants discretion to planning/site plan review; the precise criteria for alternatives (e.g., prefabricated masonry veneer, compact evergreen hedges as full substitute) are not spelled out with objective tests in the retrieved text. Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction.
- Any adopted local plant palette or prohibited species list for street trees and frontage landscaping is not present in the retrieved excerpts. Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction.
- Whether the 5% parking interior landscaping requirement is applied to very small lots or has any de minimis thresholds is not specified in the parking section; practical application is left to site plan review. Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction.
Sources
Retrieved passages
- Lindsay Zoning Code (Chapter 18.18) High relevance
- Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
- Lindsay Zoning Code (Chapter 18.17) High relevance
- Lindsay Zoning Code (Section 18.06.050) High relevance
- Lindsay Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
- Lindsay Zoning Code (Chapter 18.17) High relevance
- Lindsay Zoning Code (Chapter 18.15.) High relevance
- Lindsay Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Cited sections
- Lindsay Zoning Code — **§ 18.06.050** Fences, Walls and Hedges. (§ 18.06.050)
- Lindsay Zoning Code — **§ 18.10.060** Required Conditions for CN/CC and **§ 18.10.070** Property Development Standards (commercial screening and frontage landscaping). (§ 18.10.060)
- Lindsay Zoning Code — **§ 18.11.050** IL/IH Screening and Landscaping (industrial screening, open storage). (§ 18.11.050)
- Lindsay Zoning Code — **§ 18.13.070** Screening, Fencing and Landscaping for parking areas. (§ 18.13.070)
- Lindsay Zoning Code — **§ 18.15.070** Maintenance of Landscaped Areas. (§ 18.15.070)
- Lindsay Zoning Code — **§ 18.18.020**, **§ 18.18.030**, **§ 18.18.040**, **§ 18.18.050** (Site Plan submission, conditions of approval, and required findings including landscaping) (§ 18.18.020)
- Lindsay Zoning Code — Multifamily landscaping and developer maintenance requirements (multifamily section).
- Mobile home park landscaping and screening requirements.
- Lindsay_ZoningCode.md
Frequently asked questions
What is the required fence height when commercial property borders homes in Lindsay?
When commercial or industrial property adjoins a residential district, the code presumes an ornamental masonry wall or screen and landscaping with a minimum height of 7 ft, subject to modification under site plan review; see § 18.10.060 and § 18.11.050 for the controlling rules .
Are front yard fences limited in height in Lindsay?
Yes — front yard fences are generally limited to 3 ft in height; a fence or wall up to 4 ft is permitted on a front or street side yard of a corner/reverse corner lot if the top 1 ft is at least 50% open. Chain‑link fences up to 7 ft are allowed in front yards for public/quasi‑public uses. See § 18.06.050 .
Do I need to include landscaping on my site plan submittal?
Yes — site plans must show landscaping (location, type, size, botanical names) and method of irrigation as part of the submission requirements in § 18.18.020; the city requires these elements to approve the site plan and may impose maintenance/installation conditions under § 18.18.040 .
Does Lindsay require irrigation and maintenance for landscape areas?
Where specified by the code (commercial frontage, mobile home parks, multifamily common areas), automatic irrigation is required; landscaped areas must be maintained and may require a maintenance bond or contract for larger developments per § 18.15.070 and the multifamily landscaping rules .
How much landscaping is required inside parking lots?
In RM, PO, C or I districts, the code requires not less than 5% of the interior of a parking area to be landscaped with trees and plant materials, distributed through the lot to the extent practical; see § 18.13.070 .
If I have outdoor storage at an industrial site, what screening is required?
Outdoor storage at IL/IH sites must be contained within an area surrounded and screened by a solid wall or fence, 7 ft minimum, or a compact evergreen hedge with solid gates where necessary; the planning department may require screening where open storage is visible or unsightly. See § 18.11.050 .
Can the city require a different screening approach than a 7 ft masonry wall?
Yes — site plan review gives the planning department and city council discretion to require different heights or types of screening where appropriate; applicants may propose alternatives but must be prepared to justify them during site plan review under § 18.18.040 and the specific district provisions that call for 7 ft screening (e.g., § 18.10.060) .
Are corner-lot sight-line restrictions different from the general fence height limits?
Yes — corner lot sight-line provisions impose a triangular/diagonal measurement that limits higher fences in certain street-corner areas; these specific diagonals (e.g., 25 ft or 30 ft) and the related height limits are set in § 18.06.050 and some district-specific sections — verify which diagonal distance applies to your lot type and location .
Do mobile home parks have special landscaping requirements?
Yes — mobile home parks must provide a landscaped border along street frontages and an ornamental screen wall/fence 7 ft along interior side/rear lines and street side yards; landscaped recreation areas must be irrigated automatically. See the mobile home park standards (mobile home chapter) in the code .
Will the planning department accept a hedge instead of a masonry wall?
The code allows compact evergreen hedges for industrial open storage screening in some cases, but for commercial‑to‑residential perimeter screening the code calls out ornamental masonry walls as the standard and gives discretion to the city to accept alternatives during site plan review. You should confirm acceptability during pre‑application meeting/site plan review (see § 18.10.060, § 18.11.050, § 18.18.040) .
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