Monterey Park — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Monterey Park Zoning Code requires for landscaping and screening — including planting, irrigation, parking-lot landscaping, buffers between commercial and residential, and limits for walls, fences, and hedges. Everything below is drawn from the City’s zoning ordinance provisions (Title 21 in the municipal code excerpts provided). For related topics see the city’s zoning overview, parking, and design review pages referenced in context below.

Key takeaways in two lines:

• You must submit and install an approved landscape and irrigation plan before a building permit; irrigation and drought-tolerant plantings are heavily emphasized. See § 21.10.150.
• Where commercial or office uses abut residential zones the Code requires physical screening (walls/berms/trees), automatic irrigation, and ongoing maintenance; see the O‑P and S‑P zone buffering rules § 21.12.090 and § 21.14.120.

District-by-district landscaping & screening requirements

Note: the ordinance uses multiple chapters for zones and general landscaping standards. Below each district entry cites the controlling code section(s) and synthesizes practical requirements.

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

• Purpose / typical uses: single‑family homes. Refer to the Residential zone development tables for the full use list and dimensional rules (see Table 21.08(E)). § 21.08.
• Key landscaping/screening rules:
  • Front yards and unpaved areas must be landscaped with trees, shrubs and groundcover; turf minimized; drought‑tolerant plantings encouraged. § 21.10.130.
  • Fences and walls in the front yard are limited to 4 ft (maximum) and 6 ft in side/rear yards (Table 21.08(D)). Retaining wall stacking rules limit combined heights measured from natural grade to 4 ft (front) and 6 ft (side/rear). § 21.08 (Table 21.08(D)).
  • Landscape maintenance obligations for residential property owners are explicit (weed control, irrigation upkeep, replacement of dead/diseased plants within prescribed timeframes). § 21.08.070.

Typical dimensional snapshot (from Table 21.08(E)): minimum lot area 6,000 sq ft (R‑1); front setback 25 ft; side yard 5 ft first floor. § 21.08.

R-2 (Two‑family / duplex) and R-3 (Multi‑family)

• Purpose / typical uses: duplexes and small multi‑unit housing (R‑2); larger multi‑unit developments (R‑3). See Table 21.08(E) for units, setbacks and FAR. § 21.08.
• Key landscaping/screening rules:
  • Same baseline landscape standards as R‑1: automatic irrigation required; minimum tree/shrub sizes; groundcover and curb edging. § 21.10.130 and § 21.10.150.
  • Multi‑family projects have distinct rules for trash enclosures and screening: shared trash areas must be screened by solid walls (min 5 ft high) and be architecturally compatible. Sight‑lines and vision clearance at driveways must be preserved. § 21.08 / Table 21.08(D).

O‑P (Office‑Professional)

• Purpose / typical uses: professional offices and compatible non‑retail uses adjacent to residential areas. See Chapter 21.12. § 21.12.
• Key buffering and screening:
  • Where O‑P lots have side or rear yards adjacent to R zones, the Code mandates a landscaping, irrigation and maintenance plan showing 15‑gallon minimum trees, shrubs, groundcover, berms and an automatic irrigation system; the plan is subject to Planning Commission approval. § 21.12.090.
  • Specific grading/vertical separation rules: where lots differ by >15 ft, 24‑inch box trees + buffer shrubs are required; where <15 ft the Code calls for berms or decorative block walls and trees depending on the exact vertical difference. § 21.12.080 (grading/buffering subparts A–D).
  • Where parking occurs in the front or street‑side yard a masonry wall or sight‑obscuring hedge (min 3 ft) within a landscaped strip (min 3 ft wide) is required. § 21.12.120.

Practical note: if you own a commercial parcel next to homes, expect to submit a maintenance agreement or evidence of a landscaping service (the City may require a bona fide service contract). § 21.12.090.

S‑P (Shopping‑Park / Specific Plan commercial)

• Purpose / typical uses: larger retail or specific plan commercial areas. See Chapter 21.14. § 21.14.
• Key landscaping/screening rules:
  • Where S‑P lots abut R zones a six‑foot solid decorative masonry or concrete block wall is required along side/rear lot lines, plus a minimum 3‑ft wide landscaped planter with automatic irrigation planted with trees and shrubs adjacent to the wall. § 21.14.120(B).
  • If parking is placed in front yards, a 3‑ft masonry wall or sight‑obscuring hedge within a 3‑ft landscaped strip adjacent to the sidewalk is required. § 21.14.120(A).

Commercial / M / C‑B (commercial districts referenced in code)

• Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood and general commercial uses. The Code includes special fencing rules (for example, C‑B front yard walls limited to 3 ft in elective wall rules) and prohibits chain‑link in front yards of commercial lots. § 21.10.120–130 (Walls/Fences / General Landscaping).

Most decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Practical guidance / synthesis

• Start early: because landscape plans must be approved before a building permit, include irrigation details, plant lists (from the Planning Division list) and planting details on your first site plan submission. § 21.10.150.
• Water conservation rules are enforced: drought‑tolerant species, hydro‑zoning, drip irrigation, and limited turf are standard policy; where water‑conservation rules conflict with other landscape language the most restrictive applies. § 21.10.150(h) and related water conservation provisions.
• When your property borders residential zoning expect physical screening: berms or masonry walls plus planting and automatic irrigation; large projects often require Planning Commission approval of the maintenance plan. § 21.12.090.
• Parking areas need distributed landscaping (at least 10% of the parking area) and specified tree counts; do not count planter area as parking stall dimensions. § 21.10.140.
• Walls/fences: the Code prohibits barbed wire and limits chain‑link and other materials in front yards — if you plan decorative fences review the material restrictions and sight‑distance rules. § 21.08 / § 21.10.120–130.

Linking to adjacent topics: landscaping plans and screening are reviewed as part of the site and building review process, so check the city’s development standards and design review pages early. If your project changes driveway/parking layout consult the parking rules and confirm sight‑triangle requirements with the City Engineer. Proposals that touch special zones should check the overlay districts rules. If adding an accessory unit, review the ADU page and the state California Building Standards Code for any non‑zoning building requirements.

Checklist

• Prepare full landscape & irrigation plan signed by a licensed landscape architect or contractor. § 21.10.150.
• Use required plant sizes: trees (36–48” box); shrubs (min 10‑gal); list botanical/common names and container sizes. § 21.10.130.
• Show permanent automatic irrigation layout; design to avoid overspray/runoff and respect watering hours. § 21.10.150(G–H).
• Provide parking lot landscaping to equal at least 10% of parking area and required tree counts. § 21.10.140.
• If property borders an R zone and is O‑P or S‑P, include buffering details (berm/wall heights, tree sizes, 3‑ft planter) and a maintenance plan; expect Commission review. § 21.12.090; § 21.14.120.
• Confirm fence/wall heights and prohibited materials (e.g., barbed wire, chain‑link in front yards). Table 21.08(D) / § 21.10.120–130.
• If screening equipment or trash enclosures, show architectural integration and plant buffers on plans per design standards. § 21.36.110; § 21.10.140–150.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Monterey Park requires a submitted and approved landscape & irrigation plan for most new development that uses drought‑tolerant plantings, automatic irrigation, minimum tree/shrub sizes, parking‑lot trees/planters, and specific screening (berms, walls, trees) where commercial/office parcels touch residential neighborhoods; you’ll likely need a maintenance agreement for commercial buffers and must follow fence/wall height and material limits. § 21.10.150, § 21.10.140, § 21.12.090, § 21.14.120.

Source References

• Monterey Park Zoning Code excerpts — General landscaping and irrigation requirements: § 21.10.130 – § 21.10.170.
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — Landscape plan submission requirements: § 21.10.150.
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — Parking‑lot landscaping: § 21.10.140.
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — Residential development standards and fence/wall heights (Table 21.08(D), Table 21.08(E)): § 21.08.
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — O‑P buffering and maintenance rules: § 21.12.080–090; § 21.12.120.
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — S‑P required walls and planters: § 21.14.120.
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — Design review and screening guidance: § 21.36.060 and related design review provisions.

For cross‑topic guidance see Monterey Park pages on zoning, development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, and the ADU guidance. For building‑code matters consult the California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Monterey Park Zoning Code (section would) High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
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• Monterey Park Zoning Code (section but) High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Monterey Park Zoning Code excerpts — General landscaping and irrigation requirements: **§ 21.10.130 – § 21.10.170**. (§ 21.10.130)
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — Landscape plan submission requirements: **§ 21.10.150**. (§ 21.10.150)
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — Parking‑lot landscaping: **§ 21.10.140**. (§ 21.10.140)
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — Residential development standards and fence/wall heights (Table 21.08(D), Table 21.08(E)): **§ 21.08**. (§ 21.08)
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — O‑P buffering and maintenance rules: **§ 21.12.080–090; § 21.12.120**. (§ 21.12.080)
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — S‑P required walls and planters: **§ 21.14.120**. (§ 21.14.120)
• Monterey Park Zoning Code — Design review and screening guidance: **§ 21.36.060** and related design review provisions. (§ 21.36.060)
• MontereyPark_ZoningCode.md

• Official Monterey Park code library