Ontario — Landscaping and Screening

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Ontario’s Development Code requires for landscaping, screening, buffers, fences, walls, and trees. It interprets the Code’s controls in plain English and points you to the exact controlling sections (Divisions 6.05 and 6.02, and ADU rules in Division 5.03) so you can verify parcel‑specific requirements. For general context about how these requirements fit into local rules see the Ontario zoning & planning overview and the City’s Ontario Zoning and Ontario Development Standards pages.

Important legal note: every requirement below is tied to the cited ordinance section. Where the ordinance text in the retrieved materials is silent, the page says so and recommends verifying with the City. See the Source References at the end for the exact code locations cited.

How the rules are organized in the Code

• Landscaping standards, irrigation, tree protection, and landscape plan submittal are in Division 6.05 (Landscaping) — see § 6.05.000, § 6.05.015 and related subsections for applicability and plan requirements.
• Walls, fences, obstructions, allowable materials and height/location rules are in Division 6.02 (Walls, Fences, and Obstructions) — see § 6.02.010, § 6.02.015, § 6.02.020, § 6.02.025.
• ADU-specific screening and landscape requirements appear in Division 5.03 (Supplemental Land Use Regulations) (ADU subsection).

I will now break down the most-applicable rules and then provide a practical checklist and risk table.

District-by-district breakdown (what landscaping/screening looks like in each Ontario zoning district)

Note: the City’s Development Code uses district names such as LDR-5, AR-2, RE-2, RE-4, and nonresidential districts ONT, IL, IG, IH, and Commercial / Mixed‑Use districts. Where a district-specific planting or wall requirement is stated in the Code it is cited below. If permitted uses or dimensional tables are needed for a specific parcel, verify with the City’s land‑use matrix (not reproduced here).

Residential single‑family (examples: AR-2, RE-2, RE-4, LDR-5)

• Purpose and application: Single‑family subdivisions and single‑family development projects are expected to provide perimeter screening walls and full yard landscaping (front and street‑side yards). See the general district guidance in Division 6.01 and the fences/wall design standard in Division 6.02.
• Typical required screening / walls: 6‑ft decorative masonry block walls along subdivision perimeters and interior side/rear project boundaries; 3‑ft maximum within front setback areas (unless otherwise approved). Measured from the top of wall to lowest adjacent finished grade. § 6.02.020.
• Landscape: front and street side yards must be fully landscaped with automatic irrigation prior to Certificate of Occupancy. The City limits front‑yard hardscape to a maximum percentage for some single‑family lot types (see Division 6.01 referencing "Maximum Allowed Area Devoted to Hardscape").
• Where to apply: applies to any new single‑family subdivision or single‑family project per § 6.02.020 and Division 6.05 landscape applicability.

Multiple‑family (applies to MF districts / multi‑family projects)

• Purpose and application: Multiple‑family projects must provide 6‑ft walls or fences along interior project boundaries and between multiple‑family and neighboring residential developments; landscape required for common open spaces and perimeter areas. § 6.02.020.
• Typical permitted screening: decorative masonry block walls or tube‑steel fences with masonry pilasters depending on visibility and adjacency to residential uses. § 6.02.020.

Commercial and Mixed‑Use (various C / MU districts)

• Purpose and application: Commercial sites must screen utilities, trash, loading, and parking from public view; front setback fences in commercial districts are limited (see table in the code). Landscaping is a required element of the public‑facing frontage. § 6.02.025 and Division 6.05.
• Walls/fences in frontage areas: 3 ft maximum within front and street side setback areas for Commercial and Mixed‑Use districts unless otherwise permitted. See Table 6.02‑2 and § 6.02.025.
• Parking lot landscape: for parking lots visible from the street, provide at least 7% of the parking area as landscaped area and a minimum 10‑ft landscaped buffer with a minimum 3‑ft hedge‑like element and canopy trees at spacing of ~25–30 ft on center. § 6.05.040 (D).
• Where to apply: all nonresidential project sites and commercial lots visible from public streets per Division 6.05.

Industrial districts (IL, IG, IH)

• Purpose and application: Industrial uses get more flexibility but must screen outdoor loading, storage, and equipment from public view. Long expanses of wall facing public rights‑of‑way need articulation and planting. § 6.02.025 and Division 6.05.
• Walls and fences: Industrial districts may have walls/fences taller in non‑public areas; within front setbacks industrial districts allow up to 6 ft but require that portions above 3 ft be 90% open (non‑view obstructing) in some circumstances; check Table 6.02‑2 and § 6.02.025.
• Screening of outdoor storage/loading: screen with decorative masonry walls at least 8 ft high and integrated with building architecture; material standards specified (tilt‑up, poured‑in‑place, split‑face block, etc.). § 6.02.025.

Airport / ONT and overlays

• Purpose and application: The ONT district and overlay areas have specific standards for compatibility and for the siting of development; the Code calls out ONT among districts where outdoor storage rules or screening may differ (see Division 6.01 / Division 6.02). For precise overlay restrictions, check the City's Ontario Overlay Districts page and the Code. Not all overlay specifics for landscaping were present in the retrieved pages. Verify with the City for ONT parcel‑level rules.

Decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Practical guidance & plain‑English interpretation (how to apply the rules)

• If you are designing or permitting any new development, include a complete Landscape & Irrigation Documentation Plan early. The City will not accept installation until plans are approved. This is mandatory for most discretionary or building permit actions per § 6.05.015.
• For any fence or wall, check whether it sits in a front/street‑side setback or behind the setback. A 3‑ft front fence is common; interior/rear fences are typically allowed up to 6 ft. If the wall combines with a retaining wall the Planning Director can approve larger totals up to 9 ft adjacent to public rights‑of‑way (subject to tiering rules). See § 6.02.020 and the retaining/tiering provisions.
• For commercial and industrial uses, plan to hide loading docks, trash enclosures, and HVAC/backflow devices with a combination of decorative walls and landscape. Loading/storage screens are expected to be masonry and at least 8 ft high. § 6.02.025 and related equipment‑screening language explain the materials and minimum heights.
• The Code emphasizes water efficiency: choose plants to meet the ETWU ≤ MAWA requirement and provide automatic controllers with ET or soil‑moisture sensors. The landscape plan must show the water budget worksheet. § 6.05.015 (water budget and irrigation requirements).
• If your property borders different zoning types (e.g., industrial next to residential), expect mandatory decorative masonry walls at the boundary; their exact construction and height are spelled out in § 6.02.025.

Where the Code refers to design review or overlay specifics that affect landscaping or screening, use the City’s Ontario Design Review and Ontario Overlay Districts pages to confirm project‑level design or special overlay requirements.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before issuance or acceptance)

• Submit a Preliminary Landscape Plan with any Development Plan / discretionary application. § 6.05.015.
• Submit a Landscape & Irrigation Construction Documentation Plan before installation; include ETWU/MAWA worksheets and irrigation controller specs. § 6.05.015.B.
• Provide plant palette and sizing that meets minimum container sizes and spacing (shrubs 5‑gal min in required areas; one‑gallon for groundcovers; shade trees sized for required canopy). § 6.05.045 / planting requirements.
• Show all utilities on the plan and provide screening for backflow devices, transformers, etc., with landscape or decorative low walls; maintain 5‑ft clearance for screening. (Division 6.01 equipment screening).
• Design parking lots to meet 7% landscaped area and 10‑ft street buffer standards where required. § 6.05.040.
• For fences/walls: confirm location (front/street‑side vs. interior/rear) and keep within 3 ft (front) / 6 ft (rear/interior) unless a higher wall is expressly permitted or approved. § 6.02.020 / Table 6.02‑2.
• If your wall/fence is in the street right‑of‑way obtain an encroachment permit from the City Engineer. § 6.02.015.
• For ADUs: include evergreen screening (one 15‑gal shrub for every 5 ft or a 6‑ft masonry wall), drought‑tolerant plants only; submit landscape plan. Division 5.03 (ADU landscape rules).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Ontario requires every new project (and many renovations) to submit an approved landscape and irrigation plan that meets water‑budget rules, plants trees and shrubs to screen utilities/trash/loading, and builds fences/walls to district height and material standards (commonly 3 ft in front yards and 6 ft along interior/rear lines; 6–8 ft masonry screens where uses adjoin). Always include the landscape plan with your development/neighborhood application and verify any overlay or ADU rules that add screening specifics. Key Code citations include § 6.05.000–§ 6.05.040 for landscaping and § 6.02.010–§ 6.02.025 for walls/fences; ADU screening is in Division 5.03.

Source References

• Division 6.05 — Landscaping: purpose, applicability, plan requirements, planting/irrigation, and parking lot landscape standards; see § 6.05.000 and § 6.05.015.
• Planting, mulch, container sizes, tree staking and canopy guidance (shade trees, minimum canopy guidance): Division 6.05 planting and development standards.
• Parking lot landscaping (7% minimum; 10‑ft buffer; tree spacing 25–30 ft): Division 6.05 (Required Landscaped Areas / Parking lot landscaping). § 6.05.040 (D).
• Division 6.02 — Walls, Fences, and Obstructions: prohibited materials, general requirements, height/location rules, design standards for residential and nonresidential, tiering/retaining wall rules; § 6.02.010, § 6.02.015, § 6.02.020, § 6.02.025.
• ADU landscaping and screening requirements (evergreen screening or 6‑ft wall, window/sightline constraints): Division 5.03 ADU provisions.
• Equipment, trash enclosure and loading area screening requirements: Division 6.01 District Standards and Guidelines (equipment screening); see relevant nonresidential screening rules.

If you want the exact Code text for a particular paragraph (for example a specific wall height at a specific lot line, or the complete ADU subsection), I can pull the exact Code page and paragraph number for that clause or prepare a parcel‑specific checklist to bring to the Planning counter. For design matters tied to visibility, also consult the City’s Ontario Design Review guidance.

Retrieved passages

• Ontario Zoning Code (Section 6.05.040) High relevance show source text
• Ontario Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Ontario Zoning Code (Section 25980) High relevance show source text
• Ontario Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Ontario Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Ontario Zoning Code (Section 6.03.050) High relevance show source text
• Ontario Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Ontario Zoning Code High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Division 6.05 — Landscaping: purpose, applicability, plan requirements, planting/irrigation, and parking lot landscape standards; see **§ 6.05.000** and **§ 6.05.015**. (§ 6.05.000)
• Planting, mulch, container sizes, tree staking and canopy guidance (shade trees, minimum canopy guidance): **Division 6.05** planting and development standards.
• Parking lot landscaping (7% minimum; 10‑ft buffer; tree spacing 25–30 ft): **Division 6.05 (Required Landscaped Areas / Parking lot landscaping)**. **§ 6.05.040 (D)**. (§ 6.05.040)
• Division 6.02 — Walls, Fences, and Obstructions: prohibited materials, general requirements, height/location rules, design standards for residential and nonresidential, tiering/retaining wall rules; **§ 6.02.010**, **§ 6.02.015**, **§ 6.02.020**, **§ 6.02.025**. (§ 6.02.010)
• ADU landscaping and screening requirements (evergreen screening or 6‑ft wall, window/sightline constraints): Division 5.03 ADU provisions.
• Equipment, trash enclosure and loading area screening requirements: Division 6.01 District Standards and Guidelines (equipment screening); see relevant nonresidential screening rules.
• Ontario_ZoningCode.md

• Official Ontario code library