Local zoning · Orland

Orland — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What landscaping is required for a parking lot in Orland?

If your parking lot requires 10 or more spaces , you must provide landscaping that equals 5% of the parking area, plant at least one 15‑gallon tree per 10 spaces , and design plantings to reach 75% coverage within 3 years ; parking visible from a public street must be screened at least 3 ft high and 15 ft wide. § 17.76.110 .

Q: Do I need a permit to build a masonry wall or fence in Orland?

Yes — many non‑residential zones require an administrative fence permit for fences and walls, and any masonry or stucco wall over 3 ft typically requires a building permit; check § 17.76.190 and the district rules that apply to your site.

Q: Does the downtown zone allow barbed wire or chain link fencing?

The downtown DT‑MU provisions prohibit barbed wire and require chain link fences to have slats; check § 17.76.190 and the DT‑MU text for specifics and any required administrative approvals.

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Orland Municipal Code (Title 17, Zoning) requires for landscaping and screening — where to place plantings, how parking lots must be planted, what fences and walls are allowed, and how service/loading areas and adjacent residential interfaces are screened. It focuses only on rules embedded in the local zoning chapters (site design, parking/landscaping, fence standards and zoning‑district development standards) and points you to what to verify with the city for parcel‑specific questions. See the city's pages on parking, development standards, and design review for related procedures; also check the overlay districts, ADUs rules and the California Building Standards Code where screening/height interacts with building permits.

What the code actually requires (by topic)

Parking lot landscaping: New parking lots with 10 or more spaces must provide landscaping; within a parking area 5% of the parking area must be planted, at least one 15‑gallon tree per 10 spaces, and planting must achieve 75% coverage of required landscape areas within 3 years. Screening of parking lots from public streets must be at least 3 feet high and at least 15 feet wide. See § 17.76.110.
Plant material and maintenance: Landscaping must consist of live plant material; interim use of bark or decorative rock is allowed only temporarily; irrigation and maintenance (including replacing dead plantings) are required. Use of native and water‑conserving species is encouraged; preservation and incorporation of existing trees is explicitly required as part of landscape design. See § 17.76.110.
Street trees and frontage landscaping: Where landscaping is required in the front setback, the code calls for one 15‑gallon tree per 50 feet of frontage and shrubs at a rate of one 1‑gallon shrub per 5 feet of frontage (with additional standards for front setback planting). See § 17.76.110 and related site‑design standards.
Screening of service/loading/utility areas: Loading docks shall be screened from public view and, where adjacent to residential uses, screened by a minimum six‑foot high masonry wall plus a 10‑foot wide landscaped strip; service areas must be fully screened by fences, walls, dense landscaping, berming or a combination. See § 17.76.100 and district service‑facility sections (multiple districts).
Fences, walls and hedges: Fences, walls and hedges are regulated by height and material rules: hedges/walls/shrubs follow the same height rules as fences; in residential zones R‑1, R‑2, R‑3 a set of generally permitted materials is listed and certain materials are prohibited; in commercial/industrial zones an administrative fence permit is required and masonry/stucco walls over 3 feet require a building permit. See § 17.76.190 (fence standards) and related district code excerpts.
Design integration: Screening devices must be compatible in design and material with the principal building; ivy on blank walls is prohibited. Landscape design must link site components and respect existing natural features and heritage trees; use of an arborist or landscape architect is encouraged. See § 17.36.065, § 17.76.110.

District-by-district practical guide

Below are the zoning districts and the landscaping/screening rules specifically called out in the Orland code. I have used the district names and standards that appear in the municipal code text. If you need the full list of permitted uses in a district, verify with the city zoning map and the full text of each district chapter.

R-1 (single‑family residential)

Purpose / typical uses: Not fully listed in the retrieved materials; verify with the full Title 17 district definitions. Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Fence material standards enumerated for R‑1 (allowed materials, those requiring approval, and prohibited materials); hedges/walls are measured and regulated the same as fences. See § 17.76.190.
- Front yards are required to be landscaped where specified by the district development rules (e.g., 20 ft landscaped front in some standards). See local yard standards referenced in the district text; confirm on a parcel basis. § 17.76.110 and district sections.
Where it applies: city residential neighborhoods; verify on the zoning map. Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-2 / R-3 (multi‑family residential)

Purpose / typical uses: Not fully listed in the retrieved materials; verify with the full Title 17 district definitions. Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Same fence material controls as R‑1 (see § 17.76.190). Hedges/walls measured from uphill side.
- Site design standards stress preserving mature trees and integrating perimeter landscaping with adjacent developments (see § 17.36.065).

C‑1 and C‑2 (neighborhood and general commercial)

Purpose / typical uses: Not fully listed in retrieved materials; verify with Title 17. Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Where a commercial site immediately abuts a residential zone, a solid six‑foot masonry wall may be required on the property line (reduced to 36 inches within certain front setbacks for C‑1 in some district text). See the district‑specific standard: § 17.36.065 (site design) and the C‑zone provisions.
- All exterior lighting must be aimed away from adjacent residential properties. See § 17.36.065 and related district sections.

DT‑MU (Downtown Mixed Use)

Purpose / typical uses: Downtown mixed‑use objectives and pedestrian orientation are described in the DT‑MU chapter; full permitted uses list not in search snippets. Not found in retrieved materials for uses.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Site plan and site design rules emphasize defining site boundaries with landscaping and decorative paving, limiting surface parking along street frontages, and screening service areas with compatible materials. See § 17.42.100 through § 17.42.170.
- Fences/walls: refer to § 17.76.190 for height and material standards (DT‑MU has some additional restrictions such as prohibition of barbed wire).

M‑L and M‑H (industrial/manufacturing zones)

Purpose / typical uses: Not fully listed in retrieved materials. Not found in retrieved materials for complete uses.
Landscaping & screening highlights:
- Where industrial areas border residential zones, equipment and storage areas must be screened by walls, fences, or plantings to a height of not less than six feet. See § 17.52.060, § 17.48.105.
- Some masonry or stucco walls over 3 feet require a building permit; in many commercial/industrial zones an administrative fence permit is required. See § 17.76.190 and related district rules.

Planned Development / P‑D and Mobile Home zones (selected)

Purpose / typical uses: The code requires a detailed plan of development including proposed landscaping, fencing and screening as part of use permits/planned development approvals. See § 17.60.030.
Mobile Home (M‑H) design sections reiterate landscape front yard requirements, screening adjacent to residential zones and required yard landscaping. See § 17.52.060 and related sections.

Quick standards table (decision‑relevant)

Requirement	Key rule (what you'll be judged on)	Code reference
Parking lot planting %	5% of parking area must be planted when 10+ spaces required	§ 17.76.110
Parking lot tree spacing	1 fifteen‑gallon tree per 10 spaces (2.5" DBH)	§ 17.76.110
Landscape coverage timeline	75% coverage of required landscape area within 3 years	§ 17.76.110
Parking screening from street	Screening at least 3 ft high and 15 ft wide	§ 17.76.110
Loading area screen	6 ft masonry wall + 10 ft landscaped strip where visible/adjacent to residential	§ 17.76.100
Fence permits & materials	Administrative fence permit required in many non‑res zones; masonry/stucco walls > 3 ft need building permit; prohibited materials listed	§ 17.76.190 and related district sections
Live plant requirement	Landscaping must be live plants; decorative rock limited and not a substitute unless privately maintained	§ 17.76.110

Checklist (what an applicant must include / accomplish)

Provide a scaled landscape plan showing plant species, size at planting, irrigation, and maintenance provisions. See § 17.76.110.
If proposing 10+ parking spaces, show compliance with 5% planting, 1 tree per 10 spaces, tree wells, and 75% coverage in 3 years. § 17.76.110.
Show perimeter planting and screening between commercial/industrial uses and adjacent residences; where required, specify 6‑ft masonry wall and 10‑ft landscaped buffer. § 17.76.100; district sections as applicable.
If installing/altering fences in C‑1, C‑2, DT‑MU, C‑H, M‑L, M‑H zones, apply for an administrative fence permit as required and indicate materials; masonry/stucco walls over 3 ft need a building permit. § 17.76.190.
Document preservation measures for existing mature or heritage trees; include mitigation/protection measures and note if an arborist or landscape architect will be used. See § 17.76.110 and § 17.36.065.
Identify exterior lighting and show that fixtures are shielded to prevent spill onto adjacent residential properties. See site lighting sections § 17.36.115 / district lighting rules.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Which district rules control my parcel	Many rules are district‑specific (e.g., masonry wall next to residential appears in multiple district sections)	Confirm zoning designation on parcel and read that district chapter; verify with planning staff. (Verify with the jurisdiction)
Exact fence height exceptions	Some zones allow up to 7 ft on street‑side yards with a lattice top via administrative permit; other zones prohibit barbed wire (DT‑MU). Misreading can cause enforcement or rework.	Check § 17.76.190 and district text; obtain administrative fence permit if required.
Heritage / protected trees	Code encourages preservation and use of arborist but does not provide a full tree‑protection procedure in retrieved snippets	Verify whether Orland has a separate tree preservation ordinance or require mitigation in project conditions. Not found in retrieved materials.
Whether decorative rock counts as landscaping	Code prohibits using colored rock/wood bark/gravel as a substitute unless privately maintained; this affects LID and water‑conservation plans	See § 17.76.110; confirm whether private HOA maintenance or long‑term easement affects acceptability.
Interaction with building permits/Title 24	Masonry walls over 3 ft may need a building permit and must comply with the California Building Standards Code	Apply for building permit and coordinate with building department; check structural/stability and Title 24 requirements. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Information Gaps

Full text of district purpose statements and complete permitted‑use lists for R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, C‑1, C‑2, DT‑MU, M‑L, M‑H were not present in the retrieved snippets. Not found in retrieved materials. Verify in the full Title 17 text.
No separate "heritage tree protection" code text was found in the supplied materials — the code only "encourages" arborist involvement. Not found in retrieved materials.
The exact process and submittal checklist for the administrative fence permit (forms, fees, application details) were not in the excerpts. Verify with planning counter. Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain-English Summary

For most Orland projects you must submit a landscape plan that uses live plants (not just rock), plant trees in parking lots (roughly one 15‑gallon tree per 10 spaces and 5% planting area), screen service/loading areas and sites next to homes with a 6‑ft wall or dense planting where required, and follow fence material and permit rules — check § 17.76.110, § 17.76.100, and § 17.76.190 for the specifics and confirm district rules for your lot.

Source References

Orland Municipal Code, Title 17 (Zoning): Parking & loading facilities and loading screening requirements — § 17.76.100.
Orland Municipal Code, Title 17: Parking lot landscaping standards — § 17.76.110.
Orland Municipal Code, Title 17: Fence standards and materials (fence permits, measurement, prohibited materials) — § 17.76.190 and related fence references.
Site design and landscape integration standards (various districts) — § 17.36.065, § 17.36.070, § 17.36.105.
District development standards referencing screening and masonry wall requirements (M‑H, DT‑MU, etc.) — e.g., § 17.52.060, § 17.42.210–260, § 17.44.100, § 17.48.105.

(These citations reference the uploaded Orland Zoning Code excerpts used to compile this page. For parcel‑specific application of standards, confirm the full text in Title 17 and consult the planning department.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Orland Zoning Code High relevance
Orland Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
CBC § 3 (§ 3) High relevance
California Building Code High relevance
CBC § 2013 High relevance
Orland Zoning Code (Chapter 17.78) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
CBC § 3 (§ 3) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Orland code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping is required for a parking lot in Orland?

If your parking lot requires 10 or more spaces, you must provide landscaping that equals 5% of the parking area, plant at least one 15‑gallon tree per 10 spaces, and design plantings to reach 75% coverage within 3 years; parking visible from a public street must be screened at least 3 ft high and 15 ft wide. § 17.76.110.

Do I need a permit to build a masonry wall or fence in Orland?

Yes — many non‑residential zones require an administrative fence permit for fences and walls, and any masonry or stucco wall over 3 ft typically requires a building permit; check § 17.76.190 and the district rules that apply to your site.

How do I screen a loading dock that faces homes?

Loading docks and loading areas must be screened and, when visible from or adjacent to residential uses, the code calls for screening by a minimum six‑foot high masonry wall plus a 10‑foot landscaped strip to reduce visual and noise impacts. § 17.76.100.

What materials are prohibited for fences in residential zones?

The code lists prohibited materials such as Ty‑vek, corrugated metal, sheet metal, bamboo, hay, barbed wire (except limited security use in some zones), tarp, PVC pipe, and other similar materials; permitted and conditional materials are listed in § 17.76.190 for the R‑1, R‑2, R‑3 zones. § 17.76.190.

Can I use decorative rock instead of plants for required landscaping?

No — the code states landscaping must consist of live plant material; colored rock, bark and gravel may not be used in place of landscaping unless the area is privately maintained and certain limited conditions are met. § 17.76.110.

Are existing mature trees protected in development plans?

The code requires that sites preserve and incorporate existing natural features, particularly trees, into landscape designs and encourages use of a certified arborist; however, a separate formal tree‑protection procedure or ordinance was not found in the retrieved excerpts — verify with the planning department. § 17.36.065, § 17.76.110.

Which rules apply where a commercial lot meets a residential lot?

When a commercial or manufacturing site abuts a residential zone, the code commonly requires screening such as a solid six‑foot masonry wall on the property line (with specific reductions in certain front‑setback areas noted in district text), and shielding of exterior lighting. See district development standards (example: § 17.52.060) and general site design sections.

Does the downtown zone allow barbed wire or chain link fencing?

The downtown DT‑MU provisions prohibit barbed wire and require chain link fences to have slats; check § 17.76.190 and the DT‑MU text for specifics and any required administrative approvals.

Do I have to show irrigation on my landscape plan?

Yes — the landscape plan must show adequate irrigation and maintenance provisions, and the code requires replacement of dead plantings to meet coverage standards. § 17.76.110.

Who decides if a fence meets the code’s sight‑distance rules?

The City Manager or their designee has authority to determine if a fence design creates sight‑distance problems (for example, when allowing a street‑side fence up to 7 ft with a lattice top); check § 17.76.190 and consult planning staff for an administrative fence permit.

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