Local zoning · McFarland

McFarland — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What are the fence height limits in McFarland front yards?

In residential and estate zones ( R‑1 , R‑2 , R‑3 , R‑4 , R‑S , E , E‑1–E‑7), front-yard fences, walls, and hedges may be no taller than 4 feet. Side and rear yard fences can be up to 6 feet. Barbed wire and sharp projections are prohibited in these zones (§ 17.136.180).

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

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

McFarland’s zoning code puts most landscaping and screening rules in Title 17, with citywide standards for landscape plans and irrigation, yard landscaping and fence heights in residential districts, and site-edge buffering where nonresidential uses abut homes. Key add‑ons include parking lot shade/landscape ratios and special plan-content rules in the Precise Development zone. This page synthesizes what the ordinance requires, where it applies, and how to navigate reviews alongside related processes like design review, parking, and broader development standards.

The single most common McFarland rule: front and street-side yards visible from the street must be landscaped with live plants, not converted to parking, and front fences generally cannot exceed four feet in height in residential zones (§ 17.16.150; § 17.136.180).

Citywide framework for landscaping and screening

Landscape plan and irrigation plan are required submittals whenever landscaping is required; plans must be prepared and stamped by a licensed landscape architect or licensed landscape contractor, and include plant lists, symbols, parking-area dimensions, and irrigation details per § 17.146.060. Concept plans accompany the underlying approval; detailed landscape plans are approved before building/grading permits per § 17.146.070. Enforcement is by code enforcement per § 17.146.080.
Design guidance discourages tall, continuous shrubs/walls except where needed to buffer commercial uses from lower-density residential, and encourages visibility and safe access layouts (§ 17.78.070 and related design guidelines).
In the Precise Development (P‑D) zone, screening of uses from public view by fencing or landscaping may be required in the precise plan; the plan must show landscaping, parking, and the location/material of walls/fences per § 17.132.030; P‑D zones are established per § 17.132.020.

Decision-relevant standards (highlights)

Topic	Standard	Where it applies	Code Reference
Front/street-side yard landscaping	Yards visible from the street must be landscaped with live materials; may not be converted to parking; limited driveway widening exception	Residential lots in the R‑1‑5 zone	§ 17.16.150; see details on parking limits and timing for installation
Front yard tree spacing along sidewalks	Trees in front/street-side setbacks max 30 ft apart; min 5 ft from back of sidewalk	Where landscape standards apply citywide	Not found in retrieved materials (standard text present; precise § not shown)
Fence height — front yard (residential)	Max 4 ft	R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, R‑4, R‑S, E and E‑1 to E‑7	§ 17.136.180(B)
Fence height — side/rear (residential)	Max 6 ft	Same residential and estate zones above	§ 17.136.180(A)
Reversed corner-lot fence control	Within 25 ft of the rear line of a reversed corner lot, max 4 ft	Same residential and estate zones above	§ 17.136.180(C)
Barbed/sharp wire limits	Barbed wire and projections prohibited in residential/estate zones	Same residential and estate zones above	§ 17.136.180(D)
Commercial/industrial next to residential	6‑ft solid masonry wall in a 5‑ft planter with trees at 20‑ft intervals; reduce wall to 4 ft within required front setback	When nonresidential adjoins residential	§ 17.134.020(K)
Parking lot landscaping — minimum	≥5% of parking area landscaped; 1 tree per 6 spaces to achieve 50% shade in 10 years; 80 sf planters at least every 10 spaces	Parking lots with 6+ spaces	Not found in retrieved materials (standards appear under Chapter 17.144 but specific § not shown)
Parking edge buffers	10‑ft landscaped strip along right‑of‑way; 4‑ft ornamental fence/wall/vegetation or berm to eliminate headlight glare where stalls abut street; separation wall when 5+ spaces abut residential	Parking lots (thresholds vary)	Not found in retrieved materials (text present; § 17.144.110 cited for plan)
Landscape/irrigation submittals	Required contents and irrigation performance features (controllers, zoning, drip on trees/shrubs, rain shutoff)	Whenever landscaping is required by Title 17	§ 17.146.060–.070–.080

For process context, see McFarland Zoning, McFarland Land Use, and McFarland Design Review.

District-by-district notes

R-1-5 (Single-Family Residential, small-lot)

Purpose/permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping:
- All yard and setback areas visible from the street must be landscaped with live plant materials; not to be used or converted to parking. Limited driveway widening is allowed if total paving at the frontage stays within the 40% cap (§ 17.16.150(A)–(B)).
- Builder must provide front yard landscaping; prototype landscape plan at building-permit stage; install within 30 days of final inspection (§ 17.16.150(C)).
Screening/fences:
- Fences/walls/hedges in rear/side yards: max 6 ft (§ 17.16.160) and as reinforced citywide in § 17.136.180(A). Front-yard fences: max 4 ft (§ 17.136.180(B)).
Where it applies: Parcels zoned R‑1‑5 per the city’s map (verify via McFarland zoning & planning overview).

R-2 (Two-Family Residential)

Purpose/permitted uses: Includes all R‑1 uses and two‑family dwellings (§ 17.20.020).
Landscaping/screening:
- Citywide residential fence standards apply: 4‑ft front/6‑ft side‑rear; reversed corner control; no barbed wire (§ 17.136.180).
- General development standards on buffering next to residential (when R‑2 is the residential neighbor) can trigger a masonry wall/planter/trees standard for adjacent nonresidential projects (§ 17.134.020(K)).
Where it applies: Parcels zoned R‑2.

Other Residential (R‑3, R‑4, R‑S, E and E‑1–E‑7)

Purpose/permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping/screening:
- Same citywide residential fence and hedge rules apply (4‑ft front; 6‑ft side/rear; corner-lot limits; barbed wire prohibited) (§ 17.136.180).
Where it applies: Parcels zoned R‑3, R‑4, R‑S, and the E estate series.

C-O (Professional Office)

Purpose/permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping/screening:
- Activities must generally be conducted within enclosed buildings, except listed outdoor allowances (e.g., parking/loading, service stations, outdoor dining, nurseries/garden shops) (§ 17.134.020(L)(3)).
- When abutting residential zones, provide the 6‑ft masonry wall in a 5‑ft planter with trees at 20‑ft spacing; reduce to 4 ft in the required front setback (§ 17.134.020(K)).
- Parking lot landscape/shade standards apply per Chapter 17.144 (see table; § number for the metrics not in retrieved materials; plan submittal per § 17.144.110).
Where it applies: Parcels zoned C‑O.

C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial)

Purpose/permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping/screening: Same as C‑O for enclosure and adjacency walls (§ 17.134.020(K), (L)(3)); parking lot landscape/shade standards apply (see above).
Where it applies: Parcels zoned C‑1.

C-2 (Commercial)

Purpose/permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping/screening: Same enclosure baseline and residential-edge wall/planter/trees requirements (§ 17.134.020(K), (L)(3)); parking lot landscaping and buffers apply (see above).
Where it applies: Parcels zoned C‑2.

M-1, M-2, M-3 (Manufacturing/Industrial)

Purpose/permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping/screening:
- Industrial outside storage areas must be paved as required by the Planning Commission (§ 17.134.020(M)).
- Chain link and certain metal fencing materials may be used in M‑1, M‑2, M‑3; otherwise chain link is prohibited as fencing for most other zones (§ 17.134.020(N) and § 17.134.030(G) for single-family areas).
- Residential-edge wall/planter/trees standard applies where M‑zones adjoin residential (§ 17.134.020(K)).
- Parking lot landscaping/buffers and 10‑ft right‑of‑way planting strips apply as indicated (see table; § numbers for metrics not in retrieved materials; plan submittal per § 17.144.110).
Where it applies: Parcels zoned M‑1, M‑2, M‑3.

P-D (Precise Development)

Purpose: Custom zoning overlay that ties development to an approved precise plan; established via a zone change designation like “C‑2 P‑D” (§ 17.132.020).
Landscaping/screening:
- The precise plan must show landscaping, parking, pedestrian/vehicular access, and the location/height/materials of walls/fences; the Planning Commission can require screening of uses from highways by fencing or landscaping (§ 17.132.030 and related P‑D purposes).
Where it applies: Parcels rezoned to a base district with P‑D suffix. See Overlay Districts.

Topic deep-dives and “how to apply it”

Landscape and irrigation plan contents and approval: Your landscape plan must map all plant materials (with botanical/common names, sizes/containers, quantities), show parking area square footage, and be stamped by a licensed professional; the irrigation plan must demonstrate conformance, separate valves by hydrozones, use drip/bubbler for trees/shrubs, and include rain shutoff on larger systems (§ 17.146.060–.070).
Parking lots: For lots with 6+ spaces, plan on a shade-tree program sized to reach 50% canopy coverage in 10 years, landscaped planters at least every 10 spaces, and a 10‑ft landscaped strip along the right‑of‑way; where stalls face the street, include a 4‑ft ornamental fence/wall/vegetation or berm to block headlight glare (metrics appear under Chapter 17.144; exact § number not found; plan filing is § 17.144.110).
Commercial/industrial next to homes: Expect a six‑foot solid masonry wall in a five‑foot planter with trees at 20‑foot intervals along the shared edge, stepping to four feet within the required front setback (§ 17.134.020(K)). Start this early in site layout because it affects setbacks, utilities, and tree spacing.
Residential fences: Keep front-yard fences/hedges to four feet; side/rear to six feet. Avoid barbed wire or sharp projections in residential and estate zones (§ 17.136.180). If you’re on a reversed corner lot, special 25‑ft triangle height limits apply near the key lot’s front yard (§ 17.136.180(C)).
Telecom equipment: When above‑ground accessory equipment can’t be undergrounded, it must be “screened and camouflaged to the fullest extent possible,” including with landscaping (§ 17.139.080–.090 excerpts). Coordinate early so screening doesn’t conflict with ADA or utility clearance rules.

Tie these submittals and edge treatments into your broader entitlement path — e.g., landscape concept at entitlement and final landscape/irrigation plans before permits — as part of design review and any needed variances and exceptions. If your site or use is nonconforming, confirm how changes affect status under Nonconforming Uses.

Checklist

Confirm base zone and any overlays (including P‑D) on the parcel via McFarland Zoning and Overlay Districts.
Map where landscaping is required on site: yards visible from street (residential), parking lots (threshold-based), site edges abutting residential.
Prepare a conceptual landscape plan for entitlement and a detailed landscape/irrigation plan with all required contents and professional stamp for pre‑permit approval (§ 17.146.060–.070).
Lay out parking lot landscape/shade to meet canopy and planter spacing ratios; include right‑of‑way landscape strips and headlight‑glare barriers where required (Chapter 17.144; § 17.144.110 plan).
Design residential fences/walls to height/material limits; apply corner‑lot and barbed‑wire prohibitions (§ 17.136.180).
Where nonresidential abuts residential, incorporate the 6‑ft masonry wall in a 5‑ft planter with 20‑ft tree spacing; reduce to 4 ft in the required front setback (§ 17.134.020(K)).
Address screening of trash enclosures, rooftop/mechanical equipment, and any outdoor operations consistent with the code’s screening provisions (§ 17.134.020(I), (L)).
Schedule landscape installation (e.g., R‑1‑5 front yards within 30 days of final inspection) and plan maintenance/irrigation.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Parking-lot landscape metrics — section numbering	The code text shows exact ratios (5% area, 1 tree/6 spaces, 50% shade in 10 years) but the precise § citation was not captured in retrieval	Ask Planning for the specific § in Chapter 17.144; confirm if any updates supersede these numbers; file the plan per § 17.144.110
Front-yard tree spacing standard — section numbering	Tree spacing and sidewalk offset are shown, but the § number is not visible in the retrieved excerpt	Confirm the controlling § in Chapter 17.146; use spacing of max 30 ft and min 5 ft from sidewalk unless directed otherwise by staff
District-specific commercial/industrial fence materials	Chain link is generally prohibited outside M‑zones; projects sometimes propose coated chain link in C‑zones	Confirm whether any adopted design standards or conditions allow coated chain link in C‑O/C‑1/C‑2; base rule says “not chain link” except in M‑zones (§ 17.134.020(N); § 17.134.030(G))
Corner-lot fence geometry	The “reversed corner” rule can be misapplied	Survey the key lot/front setback to locate the 25‑ft control area; apply 4‑ft max within that triangle (§ 17.136.180(C))
P‑D screening expectations	P‑D plans can add bespoke screening beyond base-zone rules	Review the adopted precise plan notes; § 17.132.030 allows plan-specific wall/landscape conditions and highway‑visibility screening

Plain-English Summary

If your McFarland project fronts a street, expect to landscape those visible yards; if you build a parking lot, you must add trees/planters to hit canopy and buffer targets; and if your commercial or industrial site touches homes, plan for a six‑foot masonry wall in a five‑foot planter with regularly spaced trees. Front-yard fences are generally four feet max, side/rear six feet, and landscape/irrigation plans must be stamped and approved before permits.

Information Gaps

Exact § citations within Chapter 17.144 for the parking lot landscaping/shade ratios (text present but subsection number not retrieved).
Exact § citation within Chapter 17.146 for the “all soil surfaces covered by plant” and the front-yard tree spacing/sidewalk offset (text present but subsection number not retrieved).
Purpose statements and permitted-uses summaries for certain base districts (R‑1‑5, C‑O, C‑1, C‑2, M‑1/M‑2/M‑3) not present in retrieved excerpts. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Source References

McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.16.150 (Landscaping, R‑1‑5) and § 17.16.160 (Screening, fences, walls, R‑1‑5) — landscaping and 4/6‑ft fence baselines in single‑family zones.
McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.20.020 (R‑2 uses permitted) — context for two‑family districts.
McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.132.020–.030 (P‑D zone; plan contents and screening elements).
McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.134.020 (General development standards — residential adjacency walls, screening/storage, enclosure of activities).
McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.134.030(G) and § 17.134.020(N) (Fencing material limits; chain link exceptions in M‑zones).
McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.136.180 (Fences, walls, hedges — residential/estate zones).
McFarland Municipal Code: Chapter 17.144, incl. § 17.144.110 (Parking lot plan/landscape standards; section numbers for ratios not retrieved).
McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.146.060–.070–.080 (Landscape and irrigation plan contents, approval, enforcement).
McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.78.070 (Pedestrian-oriented design guidelines; buffering context).
McFarland Municipal Code: § 17.139.080–.090 (Wireless facilities — screening and camouflage expectations).

Sources

Retrieved passages

McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
McFarland Zoning Code (§ 30.00) High relevance
McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
McFarland Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official McFarland code library

Frequently asked questions

What are the fence height limits in McFarland front yards?

In residential and estate zones (R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, R‑4, R‑S, E, E‑1–E‑7), front-yard fences, walls, and hedges may be no taller than 4 feet. Side and rear yard fences can be up to 6 feet. Barbed wire and sharp projections are prohibited in these zones (§ 17.136.180).

Do I need a landscape and irrigation plan, and who can prepare it?

Yes, when landscaping is required by Title 17. You must submit a landscape plan and an irrigation plan with specific content (plant list, symbols, parking area dimensions, irrigation zoning, controllers, etc.). Plans must be prepared and stamped by a licensed landscape architect or licensed landscape contractor, and are approved before building/grading permits (§ 17.146.060–.070).

What landscaping is required for parking lots?

For parking lots with six or more spaces, the code requires landscaped area, shade-tree ratios, and perimeter buffers (e.g., 5% minimum landscape area, one tree per six spaces targeting 50% shade in 10 years, 10‑ft perimeter landscape strip, and a 4‑ft glare barrier along streets). The plan must be filed per § 17.144.110. The exact subsection numbers for the metrics were not captured in the retrieved materials; verify with the Planning Department.

What screening is required when commercial or industrial uses abut housing?

Provide a six‑foot solid masonry wall within a minimum five‑foot planter, with trees spaced at 20‑foot intervals along the shared boundary; within the required front setback area that wall steps down to four feet. Materials require Planning approval (§ 17.134.020(K)).

Are chain-link fences allowed?

Generally no in most zones, but chain link may be used in industrial zones (M‑1, M‑2, M‑3). In single-family development standards, fencing “shall not be chain link,” and for general development, chain link is disallowed except in M‑zones (§ 17.134.030(G); § 17.134.020(N)).

What are the landscaping rules for R-1-5 lots?

Landscape all yard/setback areas visible from the street with live materials; don’t convert them to parking. Driveway widening is limited by the 40% frontage paving cap. The builder must install front-yard landscaping within 30 days of final inspection; a prototype plan is required at permit submittal (§ 17.16.150).

Does McFarland require screening of trash enclosures and rooftop equipment?

Yes. Trash receptacles must be screened from any off-site view, and rooftop/mechanical equipment should be screened as an integral architectural element. Methods and locations require staff/commission approval (§ 17.134.020(I), (L)(1)).

How are landscaping and screening handled in a P‑D (Precise Development) zone?

They are set in the adopted precise plan. The plan must show landscaping and the location/height/materials of walls and fences; the City can require screening of uses from highways using fencing or landscaping (§ 17.132.020–.030).

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