Local zoning · Palm Desert

Palm Desert — Landscaping and Screening

Q: Where does the City measure wall height from on sloped sites?

Wall height is measured from the higher finished grade adjoining the fence or wall; special notes apply for fill‑slope retaining walls where the City engineer determines the lower adjacent grade. § 25.40.080 ; Table 25.40‑2 notes.

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Palm Desert's zoning and land‑use ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (buffers, fences, walls, and trees). It is drawn from the City's zoning text and related district development tables and interprets the rules a project applicant will encounter. For the ordinance context and how landscaping ties into other review steps, see the Palm Desert zoning & planning overview and the City's zoning page.

Key controlling rules discussed below include § 25.40.080 (Fences & Walls), § 25.40.090 (Screening), § 25.52.050 (Parking Lot Landscaping Standards), and the urban frontage/yard standards at § 25.20.051; objective design standards for multifamily/mixed‑use are in § 25.42.020.

Note on links in this page: landscaping and screening interact with parking, setbacks, design review, overlay districts, and ADU rules; see the related pages for procedure and cross‑references: Palm Desert Development Standards, Palm Desert Parking, Palm Desert Design Review, Palm Desert Overlay Districts, and Palm Desert ADUs. Also remember certain structural elements (retaining walls, high fences) may trigger the California Building Standards Code. /us/california/palm-desert/development-standards /us/california/palm-desert/parking /us/california/palm-desert/design-review /us/california/palm-desert/overlay-districts /us/california/palm-desert/adu /us/california/building-codes

Rules that apply citywide (short summary)

Screening methods allowed: solid wall or fence, vine‑covered fence, or compact evergreen hedge; hedges must be at least 3 ft at planting; tree screening should use trees with ≥ 20 ft mature height, spaced no more than 20 ft apart. § 25.40.090.
All screening and landscape areas must be permanently maintained and supplied with a permanent irrigation system. § 25.40.090.
Parking lots must provide minimum landscape percentages and interior planting (trees/shade) to achieve 50% canopy coverage within 10 years; minimum 15% of off‑street parking area landscaped; at least one tree per three stalls (and a minimum tree size of 24‑inch box). § 25.52.050.
Front yard landscape guidance and front‑yard fence height limits: typical front‑yard fence/hedge no higher than 3 ft 6 in above adjacent sidewalk; special corner‑lot allowances up to 6 ft in limited rear portions. § 25.20.051.
Residential fence/wall standards (location/material/height) are set by the table in the fences chapter; the development standards in Table 25.40-2 apply to RE, R-1, R-2, R-3, PR residential districts. § 25.40.080; see Table 25.40‑2.

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the Palm Desert districts that the retrieved ordinance text explicitly links to landscaping/screening obligations. Each subsection lists the district name (bolded), the ordinance purpose or typical allowed uses (as stated or implied in the code), where the code confirms landscaping requirements, and the decision‑critical dimensional/landscape rules you must check.

RE (Residential Estate)

Purpose / typical uses: large‑lot single‑family/residential estate development; fences/walls chapter applies to RE lots. § 25.40.080.
Key landscaping/screening rules: fences and walls on RE parcels must meet the Table 25.40‑2 material and height categories (short/moderate/tall; behind‑setback fences 6 ft where allowed). § 25.40.080; Table 25.40‑2.
Where it applies: residential estate zones citywide (see zoning map). Verify special HOA rules. Verify with the City for site‑specific grading/retaining wall calculations. Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: single‑family homes; front yard design, hedges, low walls described in § 25.20.051.
Key standards: front yard fences/walls/hedges typically limited to 3 ft 6 in; rear/interior fences behind building setback up to 6 ft and materials per Table 25.40‑2. New residential construction must include rear & interior side yard walls/fences minimum 5 ft. § 25.20.051; § 25.40.080.

R-2 (Mixed Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: small‑scale multifamily / mixed‑residential; Objective Design Standards apply to multifamily/mixed‑use projects in R-2 per § 25.42.020.
Key standards: fences and walls standards apply to R-2 residential lots; two‑story additions trigger ARC planting/line‑of‑sight mitigation and planting plans per § 25.68.020 (design review). § 25.40.080; § 25.68.020.

R-3 (Multifamily Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: multifamily; Objective Design Standards apply. § 25.42.020.
Key standards: multi‑family projects are subject to objective design standards and ARC review that include required planting, privacy screening and planting plans when second stories or privacy impacts are created. § 25.42.020; § 25.68.020.

PR (Planned Residential)

Purpose / typical uses: flexible, planned residential developments; PR projects require precise plans and ARC/site plan review. § 25.34 (PR chapter) and § 25.42.020 applicability.
Key standards: screening for PR developments is determined through the ARC/precise plan process; minimum project perimeter setbacks and percent landscaping are specified for PR projects; outside storage cannot exceed perimeter screening height. § 25.34.200 (screening notes) and PR project standards.

OP (Office Professional)

Purpose / typical uses: professional offices; subject to commercial/industrial district development standards (Table 25.16‑5) including minimum landscape depth in street setbacks and percent landscaping. Table 25.16‑5 (chapter 25.16).
Key standards: front/street setback landscaping depth (often 10 ft for OP); required minimum landscaping percentage for lot area (see Table 25.16‑5). Confirm precise setbacks in the table for your site. Table 25.16‑5.

PC‑1 / PC‑2 / PC‑3 / PC‑4 (Planned Commercial series)

Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood to regional commercial; landscaping depth and minimum landscaping percentage vary by PC subtype. Table 25.16‑5 shows required landscaping minima (many PC zones require 15–20% minimum landscaping). § 25.16 / Table 25.16‑5.
Key standards: minimum landscaping percentage of lot area (typically 15% for many commercial categories; 20% for larger/regional centers), depth of landscaping in street setback (10–30 ft depending on PC subtype). Parking lot screening and interior planting requirements are in § 25.52.050.

SI (Service Industrial) and PI (Planned Industrial)

Purpose / typical uses: light industrial, service and planned industrial uses. Table 25.16‑5 contains lot/depth/landscape depth guidance (SI often has different minimum lot widths and setback rules). § 25.16 / Table 25.16‑5.
Key standards: personal storage facilities (often sited in SI or within Freeway Commercial Overlay) must provide 20% of total site area landscaped, a 20‑ft landscaped street setback, and 24‑inch box canopy tree(s) at specified spacing; fences/walls for storage facilities must be masonry or similar (no chain link). § 25.34.200.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

Standard / Feature	Requirement / Typical value	Code reference
Allowed screening types	Solid wall/fence, vine‑covered fence, or compact evergreen hedge; hedges ≥ 3 ft at planting; trees mature ≥ 20 ft, ≤ 20 ft spacing	§ 25.40.090
Parking lot landscaping (min)	15% of off‑street parking area landscaped; ≥1 tree per 3 stalls; 24‑inch box minimum tree size; aim for 50% shade in 10 yrs	§ 25.52.050
Front‑yard fence height	Max 3 ft 6 in in front yard; corner lot side street rear portion up to 6 ft (up to 15 ft behind primary facade line)	§ 25.20.051
Residential fences & walls	Table 25.40‑2: behind setback fences 6 ft; tall fences in front setback 5–6 ft at prescribed distances from curb; materials defined (decorative block/stucco/wrought iron/approved wood)	§ 25.40.080; Table 25.40‑2
Walls adjacent to public streets	Landscape plan required; undulation/pilasters every 30 ft (offset ≥ 18 in); desert color finish	§ 25.40.080 (walls provisions)
PR / multifamily design standards	Objective Design Standards apply to R‑2, R‑3, PR, OP, PC zones; ARC/Objective Design Standards may supersede or supplement district rules	§ 25.42.020

Checklist

Provide a stamped landscape plan showing plant palette, irrigation, tree sizes, locations and canopy diameters. (Required for walls adjacent to public streets). § 25.40.080.
Show permanent irrigation details (automatic irrigation for larger commercial and parking landscaping). § 25.52.050; § 25.52 commercial provisions.
Demonstrate parking lot landscaping meets 15% area minimum and tree counts (1 tree per 3 stalls; 24‑inch box min). § 25.52.050.
For fences/walls include elevation drawings showing measured height from higher finished grade and materials that comply with Table 25.40‑2; indicate any retaining walls and show grading details. § 25.40.080; Table 25.40‑2.
If privacy or second‑story impacts exist, include planting plan showing tree/shrub species and screening canopy to meet ARC requirements. § 25.68.020; § 25.42.020.
If project is in PR, OP, or PC districts, verify required landscape % and street setback depth per Table 25.16‑5 and show compliance. Table 25.16‑5.
Coordinate with Public Works on retaining wall grading and verification of adjacent vacant lot grades where fill slopes are proposed. § 25.40.080 notes about fill slopes.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
HOA vs City standards	HOAs may impose stricter material/height standards; conflicts influence approvals/ARC waivers	Confirm HOA architectural review requirements and whether City ARC review may be waived (see § 25.40.080).
Measuring wall/fence height on slopes	City measures wall height from the higher finished grade — affects allowable height for retaining walls/combinations	Verify which adjacent grade the City will use and provide grading cross‑sections. § 25.40.080 (measuring height).
Fill slope / retaining wall math	Fill slopes next to vacant lots require City engineer determination of lower grade	Confirm public works requirements and any grading/mitigation required. Table 25.40‑2 notes.
Tree species & root damage	Parking/adjacent foundations: some trees are prohibited (shallow/invasive roots)	Use the City's recommended parking‑lot tree list and avoid problematic species per § 25.52.050.
Irrigation permanence	Code requires permanent irrigation for screening/landscape — drought rules also apply	Provide irrigation plan and confirm compliance with Chapter 24.04 (Water‑Efficient Landscape) where referenced. § 25.52.050; referenced Chapter 24.04.
ARC review triggers	Some installations (walls adjacent to public streets, rooftop equipment visibility, new two‑story homes) trigger ARC or objective standards	Verify whether proposal triggers § 25.68.020 design review or § 25.42.020 objective design standards.
Personal storage and chain link prohibition	Personal storage fencing must be masonry/solid; chain link banned	If proposing storage/RY vehicle storage check § 25.34.200 fence and screening rules.

Plain-English Summary

Palm Desert requires permanent, maintained landscaping to screen parking, equipment and edge conditions: use solid walls, vine‑covered fences, hedges (planted ≥3 ft), or trees (mature ≥20 ft, spaced ≤20 ft). Fences in front yards are low (about 3 ft 6 in) while rear/interior fences may be 6 ft; wall materials and undulating street walls have design rules — submit a landscape plan, irrigation plan, and fence elevations and expect ARC or Public Works input for many projects. § 25.40.090, § 25.40.080, § 25.52.050, § 25.20.051.

Source References

§ 25.40.080 Fences and Walls; Table 25.40‑2 (location, height, materials) — Palm Desert Municipal Code.
§ 25.40.090 Screening (allowed materials, hedge/tree requirements, maintenance/irrigation).
§ 25.52.050 Parking Lot Landscaping Standards (percentage, tree counts, tree sizes, water‑conserving irrigation; references Chapter 24.04).
§ 25.20.051 Front Yard (front yard landscape and front yard fence height rules).
§ 25.34.200 Personal Storage Facilities (site landscaping, setbacks, fencing materials).
Table 25.16‑5 Commercial/Industrial District Development Standards (required landscaping percentages and setback depths by district).
§ 25.68.020 Design Review (ARC review triggers, planting plan requirement for two‑story projects).
§ 25.42.020 Objective Design Standards applicability for multifamily/mixed‑use in R‑2, R‑3, PR, OP, PC districts.

If you need direct links to the City of Palm Desert's zoning and planning menu pages referenced in this guide (design review, parking, overlays, ADU guidance, development standards), see the internal resource pages linked in the Overview paragraph above.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.20.051.) High relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.20.052.) High relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.20.054.) High relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (title and) High relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (title if) Medium relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code Medium relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (Section 25.16.050.A) Medium relevance
Palm Desert Zoning Code (§ 25.20.052.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Palm Desert code library

Frequently asked questions

What does Palm Desert require for screening a commercial parking lot from the street?

Screening for parking lots is covered by the parking lot landscaping standards: at least 15% of the parking area must be landscaped (with one‑third interior and two‑thirds peripheral), planter curbs and irrigation are required, and screening from residential districts must be 6 ft high (or 4 ft for protection across a street). Trees: one medium/large tree per 3 stalls, minimum 24‑inch box. § 25.52.050.

How tall can a front‑yard fence be in Palm Desert?

Front‑yard fences, walls and hedges are generally limited to 3 ft 6 in above the adjacent sidewalk; corner‑lot side street fences may be up to 6 ft for the rear portion up to 15 ft behind the primary street facing facade. § 25.20.051.

What materials and heights does the City allow for residential rear fences?

Behind the front building setback, fences and walls visible from the right‑of‑way are typically 6 ft and should be decorative block, precision block stuccoed/painted to match the house, or wrought iron; non‑visible fences behind setbacks may be block, redwood/cedar/approved decay‑resistant wood, or wrought iron. See Table 25.40‑2; fences chapter applies to RE, R‑1, R‑2, R‑3, PR zones. § 25.40.080; Table 25.40‑2.

Do I need a landscape plan to build a wall next to a public street?

Yes — a formal landscape plan must be submitted and approved prior to approval of any wall adjacent to a public street; such walls must provide undulation (offset ≥ 18 in) or pilasters at least every 30 ft, and be finished in a desert color. § 25.40.080 (walls provisions).

Are evergreen hedges acceptable as screening, and how tall must they be when planted?

Yes — compact evergreen hedges are an accepted screening material; hedges used for screening must be at least 3 ft in height when planted and may not exceed the specified screening height by more than 1.5 ft per the screening rules. § 25.40.090.

What are the parking‑lot tree size and spacing requirements?

Parking lot trees should be medium or large canopy trees selected for the Coachella Valley; the minimum size at planting is a 24‑inch box (ANSI standards), and landscaping should provide at least one medium/large tree per three parking stalls to reach about 50% shade coverage in 10 years. § 25.52.050.

If my project is PR or multifamily, does the fence/landscape table still apply?

Yes — the PR district and multifamily/mixed projects are subject to district development standards but screening and many detailed treatments are determined through the ARC/precise plan and the Objective Design Standards that apply to R‑2/R‑3/PR/OP/PC zones. See § 25.34.200 and § 25.42.020.

Can I use chain‑link fencing for an industrial storage yard?

Not for personal storage facilities — the code requires screen walls of masonry, concrete, or similar materials and excludes chain link for such facilities; other industrial fences may have separate requirements. § 25.34.200.

Where does the City measure wall height from on sloped sites?

Wall height is measured from the higher finished grade adjoining the fence or wall; special notes apply for fill‑slope retaining walls where the City engineer determines the lower adjacent grade. § 25.40.080; Table 25.40‑2 notes.

If I plant trees for privacy screening, how close can they be to a property line?

When trees are used for screening, the code specifies a mature height not less than 20 ft and that trees be spaced no more than 20 ft trunk to trunk for effective screening; species selection and root behaviors are subject to additional guidance (avoid problematic trees). § 25.40.090; § 25.52.050 for parking trees.

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