Nevada County Landscaping and Screening — Zoning Ordinance

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page distills the County’s landscaping, screening, and fencing rules that apply in the unincorporated areas of Nevada County. The zoning ordinance sets when landscape plans are required, how to buffer streets and neighbors, how to shade and landscape parking, what must be screened from public view, and the maximum fence/hedge heights inside setbacks. All citations below refer to the County’s zoning ordinance, which applies only in the unincorporated areas; incorporated cities within Nevada County have separate codes.

The single most important rule: if your project needs a Development Permit, Use Permit, or subdivision approval in the unincorporated areas, you must submit and implement a compliant landscape plan, provide required street and residential buffers, shade parking to 40% within 15 years, and screen outdoor storage/mechanical/trash from public view.

What the ordinance covers (and where it lives)

Landscaping purpose, triggers, and plan requirements: § 12.04.107.
Street buffers, residential buffers, parking-lot landscaping, species diversity, curbing/berms: § 12.04.107.E.
Maintenance, trees near high-voltage lines, brush/fuel provisions: § 12.04.107.H–J.
Screening of outdoor storage/mechanical/trash: § 12.04.111.
Fencing and hedges (heights within setbacks; definitions; exceptions): § 12.04.106.
Permanent open space standards (often coordinated with landscape areas): § 12.04.110.
Design Review factors (landscaping and parking lot layout) and submittals (site plans show landscaping/fences): § 12.05.030; § 12.05.040.C.
Energy conservation and tree placement/shading: § 12.04.209.

Related pages: see the County’s Development Standards backbone, how these rules play with Parking (interior lot landscaping), when Design Review is triggered, base Zoning and Land Use context, potential constraints from Overlay Districts and Historic Preservation, signage coordination under Signage, relief under Variances and Exceptions, and construction interface with the California Building Standards Code.

Countywide standards that frequently apply

Landscape plan required for Development Permits, Use Permits, and subdivisions; discretionary projects must use a qualified professional. § 12.04.107.B, E.1.
Street buffer landscaping widths: 15 ft on State highways, 10 ft on roads within mapped communities, 5 ft on roads in Rural Regions; minimum trees/shrubs per 100 ft; species mix; no sight-distance impairment. § 12.04.107.E.e.
Residential buffers: when nonresidential uses abut residentially-zoned property, provide screening (landscaping/fences/walls/berms); 5 ft landscaped strip on the residential side of fences; 5 ft on the noncommercial side if visible; tree mix required. § 12.04.107.E.f.
Interior parking-lot landscaping: 45 sq ft per stall; for each 10 stalls, at least 450 sq ft with 4 trees and 5 shrubs; islands every 10 spaces with 6-inch curbs; 40% canopy shade within 15 years; coverage method defined. § 12.04.107.E.g.
Planting quality: no single species >75% within canopy/understory/shrub categories; include natives; curbing of planted areas; berms ≥3 ft. § 12.04.107.E.b–d.
Maintenance: keep landscaping healthy and clean; replace dead plants within 30 days unless seasonally deferred by a licensed professional. § 12.04.107.H.
Safety near utilities and fire: no trees that mature above 20 ft within 20 ft of any high-voltage line; brush/fuel modification per State/local fire regs governs in a conflict. § 12.04.107.I–J.
Screening: outdoor storage, solid-waste areas, mechanical equipment, and utilities must be screened from public view; screening walls must be softened by landscaping; trash/recycling enclosures must be solid, compatible, and at least 1 ft taller than receptacles. § 12.04.111.C.
Fences/hedges within setbacks: maximum heights vary by district category (Residential, Rural, All Others); exceptions possible via discretionary review or Use Permit; walls must meet building code. § 12.04.106; § 12.04.106.D–E.
Energy/Affordability tie-ins: place trees to shade south/west sides, protect neighbors’ solar access. § 12.04.209.B.1–2.

District-by-district application (landscaping, screening, fencing inside setbacks)

Residential districts

Purpose and uses: Residential parcels in unincorporated areas primarily support homes; multi-family projects are subject to Design Review, which considers landscaping and parking lot layout. § 12.05.030.B–C.
Key landscape/screening triggers: If a residential subdivision or multi-family project needs a Development or Use Permit, a landscape plan is required; multi-family must also screen outdoor storage/mechanical/trash areas. § 12.04.107.B; § 12.04.111.B–C.
Fence/hedge heights within setbacks: Front/street-side max is 4 ft for open fences/hedges and 3 ft for solid; rear/interior sides 6 ft for both open/solid. § 12.04.106 (Table 12.04.150.D).
Where it applies: All residentially-zoned parcels within unincorporated Nevada County. § 12.01.020.

Rural districts (including RA)

Purpose and uses: Rural districts support agriculture and large-lot rural living; rules allow open fencing typical of rural land use. (Open fencing in the RA district follows Rural standards for side/rear setbacks.) § 12.04.106 (Table note 3).
Key landscape/screening triggers: Development/Use Permit or subdivision in rural areas requires a landscape plan; required street buffers on roads in Rural Regions are 5 ft with specified planting density. § 12.04.107.B; § 12.04.107.E.e(3).
Fence/hedge heights within setbacks: Front/street-side open fencing has no height limit; solid fences capped at 3 ft. Rear/interior sides: open fencing no height limit; solid fences 6 ft. § 12.04.106 (Table 12.04.150.D).
Where it applies: Rural-category zones in the unincorporated areas, including RA. § 12.01.020.

Commercial, Industrial, Public, and Recreation districts (“All Others”)

Purpose and uses: Nonresidential districts host employment, services, public uses, and recreation. These projects often require Design Review, where landscaping is a core review item. § 12.05.030.B–C.
Key landscape/screening triggers: A landscape plan is required with Development/Use Permits and subdivisions; provide street buffers per roadway classification; where abutting residential districts, provide residential buffers; screen all outdoor storage, mechanical equipment, utilities, and solid-waste areas. § 12.04.107.B–E; § 12.04.111.C.
Fence/hedge heights within setbacks: Front/street-side max is 4 ft open/3 ft solid; rear/interior sides 6 ft open/6 ft solid. Exceptions may be approved for security/noise/screening with discretionary permits; solid wall construction must meet building code. § 12.04.106; § 12.04.106.D–E.
Where it applies: All nonresidential base districts in the unincorporated areas. § 12.01.020.

Fast-reference standards table (unincorporated areas)

Topic	Core requirement	Code Reference
When landscaping is required	With Development Permits, Use Permits, and subdivisions; discretionary projects need a qualified professional to prepare plans	§ 12.04.107.B, E.1
Street buffer yards	15 ft (State highways); 10 ft (roads in mapped communities); 5 ft (roads in Rural Regions); min 5 trees + 5 shrubs per 100 ft, per 5 ft buffer width; maintain sight distance	§ 12.04.107.E.e
Residential buffer (nonresidential next to residential)	Provide screening (landscaping/fence/wall/berm); 5 ft landscaped strip on residential side of any fence; 5 ft on noncommercial side if visible; mixed tree types	§ 12.04.107.E.f
Interior parking-lot landscaping	45 sq ft per stall; every 10 stalls: 450 sq ft with 4 trees + 5 shrubs; islands every 10 spaces w/ 6" curbs; 40% shade canopy within 15 yrs	§ 12.04.107.E.g
Species mix and hardscape details	No single species >75% within canopy/understory/shrubs; plant areas curbed; berms ≥3 ft	§ 12.04.107.E.b–d
Maintenance	Keep weed/litter-free; replace dead plantings in 30 days unless seasonally deferred by a licensed professional	§ 12.04.107.H
Trees near high-voltage	No mature >20-ft trees within 20 ft of high-voltage lines	§ 12.04.107.I
Brush/fuel modification	Governed by State/local fire regs; prevails in conflict with landscaping section	§ 12.04.107.J
Screening (trash/mech/storage)	Screen from public view; screening walls buffered by landscaping; trash/recycling enclosures solid, compatible, ≥1 ft taller than receptacles	§ 12.04.111.C
Fence/hedge heights in setbacks	See category table; exceptions via discretionary permit or Use Permit; solid walls must meet building code	§ 12.04.106; § 12.04.106.D–E

Practical guidance and coordination

Start with the big picture: many projects enter through Design Review, where staff checks landscaping against adopted guidelines and surrounding context. § 12.05.030.C.
Tie landscaping to Parking: the County expects shade-canopy modeling to hit 40% in 15 years; use approved canopy diameters in your plan set. § 12.04.107.E.g.
Show it on your site plan: zoning compliance submittals must depict the location/type of all landscaping and all yards/fences/walls. § 12.05.040.C.5, 9.
Coordinate with Signage: avoid plantings that block sign visibility or create sight hazards. § 12.05.030.C.7–8.
If fencing taller than table limits is needed for security/noise, discuss early; the ordinance allows exceptions with discretionary findings. § 12.04.106.D.
Solid fence/wall construction must comply with the building code; consult the County and the California Building Standards Code. § 12.04.106.E.

Checklist

Confirm your project is in the unincorporated areas and subject to County zoning. § 12.01.020.
Determine if a Development Permit, Use Permit, subdivision, or Design Review applies; if so, plan for a landscape plan by qualified professional. § 12.04.107.B, E.1; § 12.05.030.B.
Lay out required street buffer yards by roadway type/community vs. rural mapping; meet tree/shrub counts and sight-distance limits. § 12.04.107.E.e.
If nonresidential abuts residential, design the residential buffer with fencing/walls/berms and required 5-ft landscape strips. § 12.04.107.E.f.
Size interior parking-lot landscaping (45 sq ft/stall); island and curb details; demonstrate 40% shade canopy at 15 years. § 12.04.107.E.g.
Select diverse, preferably native species (≤75% per category); provide curbing/berms as required. § 12.04.107.E.b–d.
Show and specify screening for outdoor storage, mechanicals, utilities, and trash/recycling (solid enclosures, landscaping buffers). § 12.04.111.C.
Check fence/hedge heights within setbacks by district category; if taller is needed, pursue an exception. § 12.04.106; § 12.04.106.D.
Keep trees 20 ft away from high-voltage lines; coordinate fuel-modification zones. § 12.04.107.I–J.
Plan for long-term maintenance and seasonal replacement windows. § 12.04.107.H.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
“Community” vs. “Rural Region” map lines for street buffers	Buffer width changes from 10 ft to 5 ft based on mapping	Confirm General Plan mapping used for your frontage. § 12.04.107.E.e.
Parking-lot 40% shade modeling	Can affect species selection, tree spacing, and island sizes	Confirm canopy diameters from the approved tree list and 15-year horizon. § 12.04.107.E.g.
Fence height exceptions	Taller walls for noise/security may need discretionary approval	Whether your case qualifies for Planning Agency/Use Permit exception. § 12.04.106.D.
Visibility and sight distance	Tall shrubs/fences can create hazards	Keep heights down near drive aisles and frontages; follow setback height limits. § 12.04.106; § 12.04.107.E.e.
Screening materials/colors	Incompatible enclosures may trigger changes in review	Use materials/colors compatible with building style for trash enclosures. § 12.04.111.C.2.
Coordination with overlays/historic areas	Overlays may add conditions on plant type or walls	Check applicable Overlay Districts and Historic Preservation requirements. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain-English Summary

If you’re building in unincorporated Nevada County and your project needs a development or use approval, you’ll need a professional landscape plan. Expect to buffer the street, screen trash and mechanical gear, landscape and shade your parking lot, and follow fence-height limits inside setbacks. Keep plantings maintained, pick diverse and native species where you can, and keep trees away from high-voltage lines.

Source References

§ 12.01.020 Applicability to unincorporated areas.
§ 12.04.106 Fencing and Hedges (definitions; heights; exceptions; UBC compliance).
§ 12.04.107 Landscaping (purpose; applicability; plans; street buffers; residential buffers; parking-lot landscaping; maintenance; utilities/fuel).
§ 12.04.110 Permanent Open Space/Maximum Impervious Surface.
§ 12.04.111 Screening (outdoor storage, mechanicals, utilities, trash).
§ 12.04.209 Energy Conservation (tree placement; solar access).
§ 12.05.030 Design Review (landscaping and parking-lot layout considered).
§ 12.05.040 Zoning Compliance (site plan must show landscaping; yards/fences/walls).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Nevada County Zoning Code (Title 14) High relevance
Nevada County Zoning Code (section of) High relevance
Nevada County Zoning Code High relevance
Nevada County Zoning Code (title or) High relevance
CBC § 12.04.107 (Chapter if) High relevance
Nevada County Zoning Code (Section 12.04.180.F) High relevance
Nevada County Zoning Code High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance

Cited sections

§ 12.01.020 Applicability to unincorporated areas. (§ 12.01.020)
§ 12.04.106 Fencing and Hedges (definitions; heights; exceptions; UBC compliance). (§ 12.04.106)
§ 12.04.107 Landscaping (purpose; applicability; plans; street buffers; residential buffers; parking-lot landscaping; maintenance; utilities/fuel). (§ 12.04.107)
§ 12.04.110 Permanent Open Space/Maximum Impervious Surface. (§ 12.04.110)
§ 12.04.111 Screening (outdoor storage, mechanicals, utilities, trash). (§ 12.04.111)
§ 12.04.209 Energy Conservation (tree placement; solar access). (§ 12.04.209)
§ 12.05.030 Design Review (landscaping and parking-lot layout considered). (§ 12.05.030)
§ 12.05.040 Zoning Compliance (site plan must show landscaping; yards/fences/walls). (§ 12.05.040)
NevadaCounty_ZoningCode.md

Official Nevada County code library

Frequently asked questions

Does Nevada County require landscaping for every project in the unincorporated areas?

No. Landscaping standards are triggered when a project requires a Development Permit, Use Permit, or subdivision approval; discretionary projects must submit professional landscape plans. § 12.04.107.B, E.1.

What are the street landscaping buffer widths along my frontage?

They’re 15 ft on State highways, 10 ft on roads within mapped communities, and 5 ft in Rural Regions, with minimum tree/shrub counts and sight-distance protection. § 12.04.107.E.e.

How much parking-lot landscaping and shade do I need?

Provide 45 sq ft of landscaping per stall; each 10 stalls need 450 sq ft with 4 trees and 5 shrubs; islands at least every 10 spaces with 6" curbs; 40% of the lot must be shaded within 15 years. § 12.04.107.E.g.

Do I have to screen trash bins, outdoor storage, and mechanical equipment?

Yes. These must be screened from public view; walls used for screening must be buffered by landscaping, and trash enclosures must be solid, compatible, and at least 1 ft taller than the bins. § 12.04.111.C.

What fence heights are allowed inside setbacks in the unincorporated areas?

By category: Residential front/street side 4 ft open/3 ft solid; rear/interior 6 ft open/6 ft solid. Rural front/street side no limit open/3 ft solid; rear/interior no limit open/6 ft solid. “All Others” front/street side 4 ft open/3 ft solid; rear/interior 6 ft open/6 ft solid. § 12.04.106 (Table 12.04.150.D).

Can I build a taller fence for noise or security?

Possibly. The Planning Agency can allow increased heights with a discretionary permit, and a Use Permit can also authorize exceeding maximums if findings are met. § 12.04.106.D.

Do I have to use native plants?

The ordinance encourages retaining native vegetation and requires including native species in required plantings unless a licensed landscape architect confirms a native species won’t meet a specific need. § 12.04.107.D, E.b.

Are there utility or fire-safety limits on trees and shrubs?

Yes. Don’t plant trees that mature over 20 ft within 20 ft of high-voltage lines; brush/fuel modification standards in State/local fire regs control where they conflict with landscape rules. § 12.04.107.I–J.

Nevada County — Landscaping and Screening