Local zoning · Lompoc

Lompoc — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What landscaping documentation is required for a new commercial site in Lompoc?

You must submit a landscape plan that meets Chapter 17.312 's plan content and irrigation requirements and complies with LMC Chapter 15.52 for water efficiency; parking-lot landscaping percentages and tree counts must be shown. § 17.312.030.A ; § 17.312.050 .

Q: How much interior landscaping is required for a new parking lot with 40 spaces?

For 31–70 spaces the Code requires 12% of the gross parking area be landscaped and dispersed throughout the parking area; you must also provide one tree per eight stalls and meet perimeter screening rules. Table 17.312.050.A and § 17.312.050.F .

Q: Do I need a maintenance agreement for landscaping on a multi‑building site?

Very likely—Chapter 17.312 states the review authority shall, as a condition of approval of a Landscape Design Plan, require a landscaping maintenance agreement for maintenance of any or all landscaping on a project. § 17.312.070.G .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Lompoc's Zoning Code requires for landscaping, screening, fences/walls, buffers, and parking-lot landscaping. All rules live in Title 17, Chapter 17.312 (Landscaping and Screening Standards) and related development-standard tables; the text below interprets those local rules for common project types and zoning districts. Key controls: landscape plan requirement, screening locations/types/heights, buffer widths by use, parking-area planting percentages, equipment screening, and maintenance obligations (see the cited sections). See the City’s development standards and the parking page for related dimensional rules and how landscaping interacts with parking layouts.

Chapter 17.312 is the hub for landscaping/screening. The sections used throughout this summary are: § 17.312.010, § 17.312.020, § 17.312.030, § 17.312.040, § 17.312.050, § 17.312.060, and § 17.312.070; each requirement below is grounded in those subsections.

What the Code requires (digest)

Landscape plan: Projects in all zones generally need a landscape plan prepared and submitted for review (Landscape Plan Requirement). Verify exemptions under LMC Chapter 15.52 (Water Efficient Landscape and Irrigation Standards). § 17.312.030.A.
Timing: Required landscaping and irrigation must be installed before the certificate of occupancy unless conditions of approval say otherwise. § 17.312.020.C.
Screening locations and types: Screening is mandatory in specific situations (commercial/industrial boundaries, storage/loading adjacent to residences, new construction abutting residential zones, etc.). Allowed screening types include walls, berms, open fence, solid fence, planting, and trees; alternative methods may be approved by the Review Authority. § 17.312.040.B–C and Table 17.312.040.B.
Screening heights and measurement: Table 17.312.040.C sets maximum heights by location (e.g., up to 3 ft in front setbacks, 6 ft in street-side setbacks, 8 ft in most other locations; special rules for industrial/residential interfaces). Height is measured from finished grade to top of screening; berms up to 2 ft may count toward height. § 17.312.040.C and Table 17.312.040.C.
Buffers by use: Minimum planted buffer widths and opacity are specified by use: Industrial: 10 ft, 75% opacity where new industrial construction adjoins residential; Commercial: 5 ft, 75% opacity where adjacent to residential; Residential: 5 ft, 75% opacity where residential projects abut commercial/industrial, etc. See § 17.312.040.F.
Parking-area landscaping: Interior parking landscaping percentages are required by lot size (# of spaces): 5% for ≤15 stalls; 10% for 16–30; 12% for 31–70; 16% for 71+. Perimeter screening minimums and a minimum of one tree per eight parking stalls are required; interior landscape islands and irrigation standards apply. § 17.312.050 and Table 17.312.050.A.
Equipment screening: Roof- and ground-mounted mechanical equipment must be screened from public view and residential uses; materials and planting used for screening must be compatible with on-site development. § 17.312.040.G.
Regulated fence materials: Barbed/razor wire is allowed only in I zones (and possibly BP) under limited circumstances; fences must be constructed with a uniform design and minimum spacing rules for open-work fences. § 17.312.040.H.
Maintenance: Landscaping must be kept healthy and maintained; dead/diseased material must be replaced; the review authority may require a recorded maintenance agreement as a condition of approval. § 17.312.070.
Water efficiency and stormwater: All landscaping/irrigation must comply with LMC Chapter 15.52 (water-efficient standards) and applicable post-construction hydromodification/stormwater controls. § 17.312.020.E and § 17.312.050.H.
Adjustments: The Review Authority may approve reductions or alternatives to screening and design standards where intent can be met by other means or physical constraints make standards infeasible. § 17.312.040.E.

District-by-district (how Chapter 17.312 applies in each zone)

Note: every district below must still follow the Chapter 17.312 landscaping/screening rules; the development tables for each zone cross-reference Chapter 17.312 for fences, walls, and landscaping. See the City’s zoning and overlay pages for map/area context.

Residential zones — RA, 10-R-1, 7-R-1, R-2, R-3, MH

Purpose / typical uses: single-family, duplex, multi-family, mobile-home parks as set in Table 17.208.040.A. Development standards differ by subzone (height, lot coverage, required landscaped open area). Fences and walls and landscaping and screening reference Chapter 17.312. See Table 17.208.040.A and notes.
Key local landscaping points: where residential abuts agricultural, commercial, or industrial uses the Code requires planted buffers (commonly 5 ft, 75% opacity) or masonry wall for new construction adjacent to residences. § 17.312.040.B and § 17.312.040.F.
Where it applies: citywide in residentially zoned parcels; special rules for mobile homes and mixed-use residential projects.

Commercial zones — CC, CB, OTC, PCD

Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood and community commercial, central business, Old Town commercial, planned commercial development. Development tables cross‑reference Chapter 17.312 for fences and landscaping.
Key local landscaping points: commercial sites adjacent to residential require perimeter screening and 5 ft planted buffers at 75% opacity; parking-area landscaping rules are frequently triggered in commercial developments. § 17.312.040.F and § 17.312.050.
Where it applies: downtown, corridor, and neighborhood commercial parcels — projects will routinely need a landscape plan and perimeter screening.

Industrial zones — I, BP

Purpose / typical uses: manufacturing, warehousing, business park uses. Development standards (setbacks/coverage) reference Chapter 17.312 for required screening of outdoor storage and site edges.
Key local landscaping points: when industrial development adjoins residential zones a 10 ft planted buffer at 75% opacity is required; permanent outdoor storage must be enclosed with walls and landscaping consistent with Chapter 17.312. § 17.312.040.F, § 17.216.050(A).
Where it applies: industrial edges and properties with outdoor storage in the I and BP zones.

Mixed Use — MU

Purpose: transit-adjacent and infill sites with both residential and commercial uses. Landscaping/screening rules apply, but where projects are mixed-use some of the residential/commercial buffering exceptions can apply (see § 17.312.040.F.4). § 17.312.040.F; see the MU zone description for density and form.

Overlays and Special Areas (e.g., H Street Overlay, Airport AO)

Overlay zones do not remove Chapter 17.312 requirements unless the overlay explicitly modifies them; overlay development tables refer projects back to Chapter 17.312 for fences and landscaping. For scenic ridgelines, the Code allows increased or modified landscaping requirements (see § 17.312.060). Refer to the overlay districts page for map context. § 17.312.060.

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant standards

Requirement or trigger	Requirement (summary)	Code Reference
Landscape plan (general)	Required for projects in all zones unless exempt under LMC Ch. 15.52	§ 17.312.030.A
Screening required (where)	Storage/loading adjacent to residences; commercial/industrial perimeters; new construction abutting residential; mechanical equipment	§ 17.312.040.B
Screening height limits	Front setback max 3 ft; street-side setback max 6 ft; side/rear and most locations up to 8 ft (see Table)	Table 17.312.040.C / § 17.312.040.C
Required buffers (width/opacity)	Industrial: 10 ft @ 75% opacity; Commercial: 5 ft @ 75% opacity; Residential: 5 ft @ 75% where adjacent to ag/commercial/industrial	§ 17.312.040.F
Parking-lot interior landscaping	5% (≤15 stalls); 10% (16–30); 12% (31–70); 16% (71+) of gross parking area	Table 17.312.050.A / § 17.312.050
Trees in parking	Minimum 1 tree per 8 parking stalls; plant sizes/spacing minimums apply	§ 17.312.050.F.2
Equipment screening	Roof- and ground-mounted mechanicals screened from public view and residences	§ 17.312.040.G
Fence materials and special allowances	Barbed/razor wire allowed only in I (possibly BP with limits); fences must have uniform design and spacing	§ 17.312.040.H
Maintenance	Landscaping must be maintained, replaced if dead, and irrigation kept functional; maintenance agreement may be required	§ 17.312.070

Practical guidance & interpretation (plain-English, Lompoc-specific)

If you are building or changing uses on a parcel in any Lompoc zone, plan on preparing a landscape plan that shows planting, irrigation, and how you will meet buffering/screening requirements. The City routes landscape plans through the project Review Authority as part of site review. § 17.312.030.A.
Expect to show how parking areas will meet the interior-percentage requirements and provide the tree counts (1 tree per 8 stalls) and perimeter screening; City staff will check irrigation and storm-water infiltration components as part of the landscape plan. § 17.312.050.
When your site borders residential neighborhoods, the Code prescribes both minimum buffer widths and an opacity target (75%)—often accomplished with evergreen shrubs or a masonry wall for new construction. If your project is industrial and next to housing, plan for a 10-foot, 75%-opaque planted buffer. § 17.312.040.F.
Fences and walls are controlled both by the screening rules and by corner sight-line rules; low front-yard “privacy” walls are limited (front setback screening max 3 ft) while side/rear yard screening can be taller (up to 8 ft)—confirm sight-triangle constraints in § 17.304.070 referenced by Chapter 17.312. § 17.312.040.C; see sightline rules § 17.304.070.D–E.
The Review Authority can approve alternatives or reductions to the screening standards where the intent is met or physical constraints exist—budget your design to demonstrate equivalency (materials, planting maturity, opacity). § 17.312.040.E.
All planting and irrigation must comply with Lompoc’s water-efficiency rules in Chapter 15.52; plan on a permanent irrigation system that will be inspected. § 17.312.020.E.
For projects in historic areas or on designated landmarks, expect additional review (Certificate of Appropriateness) that can limit or define acceptable landscaping alterations. See design review and historic preservation rules. § 17.516.020–050.
The Code references and coordinates with other standards (e.g., stormwater/post-construction hydromodification; fire fuel-breaks per the Fire Chief); landscaping plans may therefore require cross-disciplinary approvals. § 17.312.050.H, § 17.312.040.F.7.
If you are proposing an ADU, landscaping and screening rules still apply and may affect placement and screening expectations—see the City ADU guidance. Link: ADUs. Verify ADU-specific exemptions or unique rules in the ADU chapter and the Code. Verify with the jurisdiction.

(First mention links: parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, California Building Standards Code)

Checklist

Submit a landscape plan meeting Chapter 17.312 requirements (show plant palette, sizes, spacing, irrigation). § 17.312.030.A.
Demonstrate compliance with water-efficiency rules (LMC Ch. 15.52). § 17.312.020.E.
Show parking-lot landscaping calculations (percent of parking area & tree count: 1 per 8 stalls). § 17.312.050.
Provide required buffers where the use abuts another (e.g., 10 ft for industrial‑to‑residential). § 17.312.040.F.
Dimension and detail any fences/walls; confirm screening heights and sight‑triangle compliance (front setback max 3 ft, street-side max 6 ft, typical max 8 ft). Table 17.312.040.C / § 17.312.040.C.
Indicate equipment screening strategy for rooftop/ground mechanicals. § 17.312.040.G.
Include maintenance plan or agree to a maintenance agreement (may be required as a condition of approval). § 17.312.070.
If in an overlay or historic area, include interface with Certificate of Appropriateness or overlay standards. Overlay districts / § 17.516.020–050.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Corner sight-line reductions vs. desired fence height	The Code caps screening in front/setback areas (e.g., 3 ft) and references sight-triangle rules that can further restrict fences for safety. § 17.312.040.C and sight-triangles § 17.304.070.D–E.	Verify specific corner/driveway sight triangles with Planning/Public Works before final fence design.
Fuel-break / fire-safety landscaping	Fuel-break widths and reductions are set by the Fire Chief and may override typical buffer/density expectations; could reduce density. § 17.312.040.F.7.	Coordinate with the Fire Department for required widths and acceptable plant palettes; obtain written determination if it affects project layout.
Historic district constraints	Certificate of Appropriateness review can limit plant, wall, and hardscape choices even if Chapter 17.312 otherwise allows them. § 17.516.020–050.	If the property is a Landmark or in a historic overlay, submit to the Historic/Design review early.
Barbed/razor wire exceptions	Barbed or razor wire is allowed only in I (and possibly BP) zones with conditions—could surprise property owners expecting to secure a site with wire. § 17.312.040.H.1.	Verify whether your site/zone allows it and whether additional Director/Review Authority approval is required.
Exact planting species & fire-smart requirements	Chapter requires native/non-invasive and water-efficient plants in many cases, but does not list an exhaustive species list. Fire-safe plant requirements for WUI areas tie into state codes. Not found in retrieved materials for a full city-approved plant list.	Confirm acceptable species with Planning and Fire; check LMC Ch. 15.52 and State WUI guidance. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Maintenance guarantee timing and security	Code allows security/performance bonds and maintenance agreements but exact amounts and timing are discretionary. § 17.552.050 and § 17.312.070.	Confirm whether the Review Authority will require a performance bond, recorded maintenance covenant, or long-term HOA/owner maintenance plan.

Plain-English Summary

Lompoc requires nearly every new project to submit a landscape plan and install/maintain landscaping that provides screening, buffers, and parking-lot plantings: expect to show planting widths (often 5 ft for commercial/residential edges, 10 ft for industrial/residential edges), screening heights (front setback 3 ft, typical max 8 ft), parking-lot planting percentages and trees, equipment screening, and a maintenance plan—see Chapter 17.312 for the full rules. § 17.312.010–070.

Information Gaps

A city-published, prescriptive plant/species list for required 75% opacity screens and fire-smart plantings: Not found in retrieved materials.
Typical fee or performance-security amounts applied to enforce landscaping installation/maintenance: Not found in retrieved materials (the Code allows security but is discretionary). § 17.552.050.
Any streamlined exceptions for small residential projects or ADU-specific landscaping waivers beyond references to Chapter 15.52: Not found; check ADU rules directly. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

Lompoc Zoning Code — Title 17, Chapter 17.312 (Landscape and Screening Standards): § 17.312.010 (Purpose); § 17.312.020 (Applicability); § 17.312.030 (General Requirements, Landscape Plan); § 17.312.040 (Screening — required locations, types, heights, buffers, equipment, fences); § 17.312.050 (Parking Area Landscaping); § 17.312.060 (Scenic ridgeline regs); § 17.312.070 (Maintenance).
Development standards tables referencing landscaping and fences (residential/commercial/industrial zone tables): Table 17.208.040.A (Residential) § references; Table 17.212.040.A (Commercial); Table 17.216.040.A (Industrial).
Parking-lot landscaping, stormwater, and hydromodification notes: § 17.312.050 and related notes.
Fence and screening detail tables (types, berms, wall construction, planting sizes): Table 17.312.040.B; screening heights Table 17.312.040.C; planting height Table 17.312.040.D.
Regulation cross-references: sight‑triangle height limits § 17.304.070.D–E (referenced by Chapter 17.312) and nonconforming landscaping reference § 17.620.070.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Lompoc Zoning Code (Section 17.312.040.F) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (Section 17.304.070.D) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (Section in) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (Section 17.312.040.F) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (Section 17.304.050.B.) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code High relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance
CFC § 11 (§ 11) Medium relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code (§ 11) Medium relevance
Lompoc Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Lompoc code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping documentation is required for a new commercial site in Lompoc?

You must submit a landscape plan that meets Chapter 17.312's plan content and irrigation requirements and complies with LMC Chapter 15.52 for water efficiency; parking-lot landscaping percentages and tree counts must be shown. § 17.312.030.A; § 17.312.050.

How tall can a backyard fence be in Lompoc if my lot borders a street?

Screening height limits vary by location: within a front setback the maximum is 3 ft, within a street‑side setback a maximum of 6 ft, and in most side/rear locations up to 8 ft; sight‑triangle rules may further limit corner heights—see Table 17.312.040.C and the sight-triangle standards. Table 17.312.040.C, § 17.304.070.D–E.

Does an industrial site next to housing need a planted buffer?

Yes. New industrial construction adjoining a residential zone must provide a minimum 10‑foot landscaping buffer planted and maintained to 75% opacity. § 17.312.040.F.1.

How much interior landscaping is required for a new parking lot with 40 spaces?

For 31–70 spaces the Code requires 12% of the gross parking area be landscaped and dispersed throughout the parking area; you must also provide one tree per eight stalls and meet perimeter screening rules. Table 17.312.050.A and § 17.312.050.F.

Are roof-mounted HVAC units required to be screened?

Yes. Roof‑mounted equipment must be screened from public view and residential uses; the screening should be compatible in materials and color with the building, and planting used for screening must meet Chapter 17.312 standards. § 17.312.040.G.

Can the City reduce screening requirements if my site has constraints?

Yes. The Review Authority may approve an adjustment to required screening or design standards if the intent of the section can be met by alternative methods or site constraints make standard compliance infeasible—this is discretionary. § 17.312.040.E.

Do I need a maintenance agreement for landscaping on a multi‑building site?

Very likely—Chapter 17.312 states the review authority shall, as a condition of approval of a Landscape Design Plan, require a landscaping maintenance agreement for maintenance of any or all landscaping on a project. § 17.312.070.G.

Are there any fence materials outright prohibited in residential zones?

The Code does not allow barbed or razor wire in residential zones; such materials are limited to I zones (and possibly BP with conditions) and require Director or Review Authority approval where allowed. § 17.312.040.H.1.

How do landscaping rules interact with fire safety (fuel breaks) in Lompoc?

Projects in wildland fire hazard areas must provide fuel breaks as required; the Fire Chief determines minimum widths and the establishment/maintenance of fuel breaks is the owner’s responsibility. This can affect density and layout. § 17.312.040.F.7.

If my property is in an overlay (e.g., H Street), do Chapter 17.312 rules still apply?

Yes—overlay development standards generally defer to the base zone except where the overlay specifically modifies standards; Chapter 17.312 still applies unless the overlay explicitly states otherwise. See overlay development standards and Chapter 17.312. § 17.224.040.A; § 17.312.010–020. ---

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