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Paramount — Landscaping and Screening

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

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Quick answer

Paramount limits front-yard fences/hedges to 42 in and requires surface parking visible from streets to be screened to 42 in (§ 17.16.125.C.7, § 17.16.125.D.1). Commercial/industrial setbacks must be landscaped with curbed planters and trees—typically one 20–24" box plus three 15-gal per 50 ft of frontage, depending on district (§ 17.24.080.A.2.c; § 17.28.050.H.3; § 17.32.090.H.3). Edges next to residential require a 6 ft solid wall, reduced to 36–42 in within the neighbor’s front-yard depth (§ 17.28.050.B; § 17.36.090.F).

Last reviewed: July 25, 2026 · AI-generated analysis · General information, not legal advice · details

Compiled from Paramount's adopted code with AI research tools and grounded in the sources cited below. Verify with Paramount planning staff before relying on it.

Overview

Paramount’s zoning code sets detailed, district-specific rules for landscaping, edge screening, parking-lot screening, walls, and fences. Across commercial and industrial districts, required setbacks must be landscaped, trees and irrigation are prescribed, and sensitive edges next to housing get stronger walls and green buffers. Citywide water-efficiency and submittal rules in Chapter 17.96 layer on top of the zone standards.

Any surface parking area visible from a public street must be screened to a minimum height of 42 inches using berms, walls, solid fencing, dense shrubs, or a trellis with landscape material (§ 17.16.125.C.7).

Citywide and cross-cutting standards you will almost always touch

  • Development plans must show landscaping and screening details (parking layout, walls, lighting, planting, irrigation, and drainage) to demonstrate compliance with zoning standards (§ 17.16.125.A). Coordinate this with any required design review.
  • In any required yard, hedges up to 42 inches and typical ornamental planting/fixtures are allowed, subject to view-clearance rules elsewhere in the code (§ 17.44.350).
  • Water-efficient landscape program (Chapter 17.96):
    • Triggers: landscape installation applies when landscaping is expanded/altered, the building area increases by ≥30%, or building work exceeds 10% of assessed value (§ 17.96.030.A).
    • Submittal: planting and irrigation plans by a California licensed landscape architect; City approval is required before permits; changes also require approval (§ 17.96.030.B.1–2).
    • Content and performance: plan review considers street-edge buffering, screening of parking, hydrozones, native species, and xeriscape strategies (§ 17.96.030.B.4).
    • Minimums: 6"×6" concrete-curbed planters; landscape every non-paved area; trees generally minimum 24-inch box unless waived; boxed tree “equivalents” allowed for constrained sites (§ 17.96.030.B.5.a–b).
    • Materials: drought-tolerant plants, compost, mulch, artificial turf, and permeable hardscape; at least 65% front-yard plant coverage with up to 35% accent non-plant materials (§ 17.96.030.C–D).
  • Street and neighborhood interface near housing: buildings over 30 feet adjacent to residential must step back an extra 10 feet and add a second layer of screening with trees at least every 30 feet plus shrubs; fencing must enclose/screen private gathering spaces and utility/service areas (§ 17.12.100.A–C).
  • Parking-lot screening at streets: provide 42-inch-tall visual screening via one or more approaches (landscaped berm, solid wall, solid fence, shrub massing, trellis with vines) (§ 17.16.125.C.7). See parking for stall/drive standards that interact with planter widths and walls.
  • Walls and fences (front yards and project perimeter):
    • Front yard height: decorative walls/fences/hedges in any required front yard are capped at 42 inches (§ 17.16.125.D.1).
    • Perimeter: a decorative wall up to 6 feet around the project perimeter is required except within the front setback; wall faces must have anti-graffiti textures or landscaping on all sides (§ 17.16.125.D.2).
    • Prohibited materials: barbed, concertina, razor wire, and cut glass are not allowed along property lines or in required yards (§ 17.16.125.D.3).

District-by-district requirements tied to landscaping and screening

R-M Multiple-Family Residential (Chapter 17.16)

  • Purpose: Not found in source materials.
  • Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key landscaping and screening standards:
    • Parking visible from a public street screened to at least 42 inches using approved treatments (§ 17.16.125.C.7).
    • Front-yard walls/fences/hedges: maximum 42 inches (§ 17.16.125.D.1).
    • Perimeter wall: decorative wall up to 6 feet around the project perimeter (not in front setback), anti-graffiti treatment on both faces (§ 17.16.125.D.2).
    • Prohibited fence materials: barbed/razor/concertina wire and cut glass (§ 17.16.125.D.3).
    • Retaining-wall height accounting and “open-work” fence rules at the top of fills/cuts (§ 17.16.125.D.4).
    • Minimum landscape area: at least 20% of the development site landscaped, in addition to any required front setback (§ 17.16.150.A.1.a).
    • Planters: 6"×6" concrete curbs; minimum 3 ft width and 50 sq ft area (except unit entries) (§ 17.16.150.A.1.a.i).
    • Trees: at least one 24-inch box shade/canopy tree (20 ft mature spread) for every 1,250 sq ft of lot area; palms don’t count (§ 17.16.150.A.1.a.ii).
    • Groundcover: drought-resistant planting in setbacks; street-facing setbacks must be drought-resistant (§ 17.16.150.A.1.a.iii).
    • Materials and density: drought-tolerant plants/compost/mulch/artificial turf/permeable hardscape; ≥65% plant coverage in front yards; ≤35% accent non-plant area (§ 17.16.150.B–D).
  • Where it applies: Verify with the jurisdiction.

C-3 (Chapter 17.24.080)

  • Purpose: Not found in source materials.
  • Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key landscaping and screening standards:
    • All required setback areas (except drives/walks) must be landscaped; plans to Planning Director (§ 17.24.080.A).
    • Approval focuses on street-edge buffering, aesthetics, and effective screening (§ 17.24.080.A.1).
    • Irrigation: drip, bubblers, rotating sprinklers <1 gpm, pressure regulation, and separate hydrozone valves (§ 17.24.080.A.2.a).
    • Planters: permanent with 6"×6" concrete curbs (§ 17.24.080.A.2.b).
    • Trees along public ROW: one 24-inch box plus three 15-gallon trees per 50 linear feet; all trees minimum 15-gallon; clearances from corners, lights, hydrants, and walks/driveways apply (§ 17.24.080.A.2.c).
    • Materials and density: drought-resistant planting required in setbacks; ≥65% front yard plant coverage; ≤35% accent non-plant area (§ 17.24.080.A.2.d.i–iii).
    • Artificial turf: allowed with detailed site prep, installation, material, and maintenance conditions (§ 17.24.080.A.2.d.v).
    • MWELO/City water-efficiency applies; parkway changes require separate approval (§ 17.24.080.A.2.vii–viii; § 12.32.050).
  • Where it applies: Verify with the jurisdiction.

C-M Commercial Manufacturing (Chapter 17.28.050)

  • Purpose: Not found in source materials.
  • Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key landscaping and screening standards:
    • Edge to residential: a 6-foot solid wall along any property line abutting “R” districts; within the depth of the neighboring residential front yard, wall height must be 36–42 inches; no barbed/razor/concertina/cut glass where visible (§ 17.28.050.B).
    • Front-yard line: no building/wall/structure/fence closer than 10 ft to front property line; the 10-ft strip must be landscaped and permanently maintained (§ 17.28.050.F).
    • Side yards: none required on interiors; on corners, a 5-ft side yard that must be totally landscaped (§ 17.28.050.G).
    • Parking lots: at least 7% of the lot landscaped (§ 17.28.050.G.3).
    • Setback landscaping program: irrigation (drip/bubblers/rotating sprinklers with pressure regulation and hydrozones), 6"×6" curbed planters, and street-edge tree plantings—one 20-inch box plus three 15-gallon trees per 50 linear feet; required clearances apply (§ 17.28.050.H.1–3).
    • Materials and density: drought-resistant plant palette in setbacks; ≥65% front yard plant coverage; ≤35% accent non-plant area; artificial turf allowed under strict prep/installation/material specs (§ 17.28.050.H.4–H.4.e).
  • Where it applies: Verify with the jurisdiction.

M-2 Heavy Manufacturing (Chapter 17.36.090)

  • Purpose: Not found in source materials.
  • Typical permitted uses: Not found in source materials.
  • Key landscaping and screening standards:
    • Front setbacks vary by lot depth and height; examples include 10/15/20 ft for 0–30/31–45/46–85-ft-tall features on shallow lots; up to 30/35/40 ft on 750+ ft deep lots (§ 17.36.090.E.1.a–c). Front setbacks must be fully landscaped with drought-resistant fescue sod; no unscreened mechanical equipment; parking prohibited in front setback (§ 17.36.090.E.2).
    • Side and rear yards: must be landscaped per Chapter 17.96 (§ 17.36.090.I.1–3).
    • Edge to residential: 6-ft solid wall on boundaries abutting “R” districts; within the neighboring residential front-yard depth, wall must be 36–42 inches; no barbed/razor/concertina/cut glass visible from the ROW (§ 17.36.090.F.1).
    • Irrigation and planters: water-efficient systems (drip/bubblers/rotating <1 gpm with pressure regulation and hydrozones) and 6"×6" curbed planters are required; minimal openings may be allowed for drainage/filtration (§ 17.36.090.J.1–2).
  • Where it applies: Verify with the jurisdiction.

Other zones with parallel setback landscaping standards (§ 17.32.090)

  • District name/applicability: Not found in source materials.
  • Key landscaping and screening standards:
    • Required setbacks (excluding drives/walks) must be fully landscaped; plans to Planning Director (§ 17.32.090.H).
    • Irrigation: drip, bubblers, rotating sprinklers <1 gpm, pressure regulation, hydrozones (§ 17.32.090.H.1).
    • Planters: 6"×6" curbing; exceptions where abutting buildings/block walls and minimal openings for drainage/filtration (§ 17.32.090.H.2).
    • Trees along ROW: one 20-inch box plus three 15-gallon trees per 50 linear feet; minimum 15-gallon size; standard separation from corners, lights, hydrants, and walks/driveways/water meters (§ 17.32.090.H.3).
    • Materials and density: drought-resistant landscaping in setbacks; specific acceptable materials list (§ 17.32.090.H.4).
  • Where it applies: Verify with the jurisdiction.

Legacy landscaping standard (§ 17.80.090)

  • Applicability: Not found in source materials.
  • Key landscaping and screening standards:
    • Setbacks must be fully landscaped; plans required (§ 17.80.090).
    • Trees along ROW: one 20-inch box plus three 15-gallon trees per 50 linear feet with standard clearances (§ 17.80.090.C).
    • Turf: all setback areas “fully turfed” minimum, with shrubs/groundcover as supplements (§ 17.80.090.D).
    • Fixed, permanent irrigation required (§ 17.80.090.A–B).
  • Where it applies: Verify with the jurisdiction.

Quick-reference standards that drive most site plans

Topic Core standard Code reference
Front-yard wall/fence/hedge height Max 42 inches § 17.16.125.D.1
Project perimeter wall Decorative, up to 6 ft; not in front setback; anti-graffiti treatments on all faces § 17.16.125.D.2
Prohibited fence materials No barbed, razor, concertina wire, or cut glass along property lines/required yards § 17.16.125.D.3; § 17.28.050.B; § 17.36.090.F.1
Parking lot screening at street 42-inch-tall screen via berm/wall/fence/shrubs/trellis § 17.16.125.C.7
Wall at industrial/commercial edge to “R” property 6-ft solid wall; within depth of neighbor’s front yard: 36–42 inches § 17.28.050.B; § 17.36.090.F
Setbacks landscaped (typical) Required setbacks landscaped; plans to Planning Director § 17.24.080.A; § 17.28.050.H; § 17.32.090.H; § 17.36.090.E.2
Planter edging 6"×6" concrete curbing for permanent planters § 17.24.080.A.2.b; § 17.28.050.H.2; § 17.32.090.H.2; § 17.96.030.B.5.a
Trees along public ROW (most commercial/industrial) 1 box tree + 3 15-gal per 50 LF (box size varies: 24" in C‑3; 20" in C‑M/§17.32/§17.80) § 17.24.080.A.2.c; § 17.28.050.H.3; § 17.32.090.H.3; § 17.80.090.C
Tree requirement in R‑M 1 24-inch box shade/canopy tree per 1,250 sq ft of lot area § 17.16.150.A.1.a.ii
Front-yard plant coverage ≥65% plant; ≤35% accent non-plant § 17.16.150.C–D; § 17.24.080.A.2.d.ii–iii; § 17.28.050.H.4.b–c; § 17.96.030.C–D
Irrigation (water-efficient) Drip, bubblers, rotating sprinklers <1 gpm; pressure regulation; hydrozones § 17.24.080.A.2.a; § 17.28.050.H.1; § 17.32.090.H.1; § 17.36.090.J.1
Street/residential interface Extra 10-ft setback and trees every 30 ft where buildings over 30 ft abut residential; fence screens private/utility areas § 17.12.100

Practical notes

  • Coordinate your landscape plan early with development standards for setbacks and with parking layouts—planter widths, curbing, and screening heights affect drive aisles and visibility.
  • Where district chapters conflict with citywide Chapter 17.96 (e.g., tree box sizes), ask Planning which standard controls for your project. Document that direction.
  • Parkway work is separate: any changes in the City parkway landscaping trigger § 12.32.050 review (cited in § 17.24.080.A.2.ix).

Checklist

  • Identify your zoning district on the Paramount Zoning map; confirm if edge conditions to “R” districts apply (§ 17.28.050.B; § 17.36.090.F).
  • Prepare planting/irrigation plans (by a CA-licensed landscape architect when Chapter 17.96 is triggered) showing species, sizes, quantities, hydrozones, and curbing (§ 17.96.030.A–B).
  • Meet irrigation specs: drip/bubblers/rotating sprinklers <1 gpm, pressure regulators, separate valves by hydrozone (§ 17.24.080.A.2.a; § 17.28.050.H.1; § 17.32.090.H.1; § 17.36.090.J.1).
  • Provide required trees: per-lot standard in R‑M (one 24" box per 1,250 sq ft lot area) or per-ROW-frontage in commercial/industrial (one 20–24" box + three 15-gal per 50 LF, depending on district) (§ 17.16.150.A.1.a.ii; § 17.24.080.A.2.c; § 17.28.050.H.3; § 17.32.090.H.3; § 17.80.090.C).
  • Landscape all required setbacks; achieve ≥65% front-yard plant coverage; keep non-plant accents ≤35% (§ 17.16.150.C–D; § 17.24.080.A.2.d.ii–iii; § 17.28.050.H.4.b–c; § 17.96.030.C–D).
  • Install 6"×6" concrete curbing around all planters (with limited exceptions) (§ 17.24.080.A.2.b; § 17.28.050.H.2; § 17.32.090.H.2; § 17.96.030.B.5.a).
  • Screen parking visible from streets to 42 inches using permitted treatments (§ 17.16.125.C.7).
  • Provide perimeter/edge walls: 6-ft solid wall along “R” edges, with 36–42 inches within the neighbor’s front-yard depth; no barbed/razor wire or cut glass (§ 17.28.050.B; § 17.36.090.F.1).
  • Limit front-yard walls/fences/hedges to 42 inches (§ 17.16.125.D.1).
  • If using artificial turf, meet the chapter-specific prep/installation/material/maintenance specs (§ 17.24.080.A.2.d.v; § 17.28.050.H.4.e; § 17.96.030.B.5.v).
  • If building over 30 ft near residential, add the 10-ft setback and trees every 30 ft; fence screen private/utility spaces (§ 17.12.100).
  • Confirm any needed relief early via variances and exceptions if strict compliance is infeasible.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Artificial turf policy conflict § 17.16.150 says drought-resistant landscaping “shall not include” synthetic turf (via Gov. Code 53087.7), while § 17.12.110 allows synthetic/ART turf with conditions; other chapters allow artificial turf with specs (§ 17.24.080; § 17.28.050; § 17.96.030). Ask Planning which chapter governs your site and whether synthetic turf is allowed in your district and frontage condition.
Tree box size inconsistency Citywide Chapter 17.96 indicates minimum 24" box trees unless waived, but some districts specify 20" box for ROW frontage (§ 17.28.050.H.3; § 17.32.090.H.3; § 17.80.090.C) while C‑3 requires 24" box (§ 17.24.080.A.2.c). Confirm whether the district chapter or Chapter 17.96 controls your tree sizing; obtain a waiver if needed (§ 17.96.030.B.5.b).
Applicability of § 17.16.125 (parking screening) The 42-inch screening rule appears in § 17.16 (R‑M chapter). Verify whether the City applies § 17.16.125.C.7 to other districts in practice or limits it to R‑M projects.
Legacy Chapter 17.80 turf rule § 17.80.090 requires fully turfed setbacks, which conflicts with later drought-focused chapters. Confirm whether § 17.80.090 is still operative for your zone or superseded by §§ 17.24/17.28/17.32/17.96.
Chapter 17.32 district identity § 17.32.090 contains landscaping standards but the zone name is not provided. Identify the zone tied to § 17.32 with the Planning Department before designing to those metrics.
Industrial front setbacks and landscaping types M‑2 mandates drought-resistant fescue sod in front setbacks and prohibits parking in front setback (§ 17.36.090.E.2). Ensure your frontage program (trees, sod, walls) fits the required setback depth schedule for your lot depth/height (§ 17.36.090.E.1.a–c).

Plain-English Summary

Paramount requires you to landscape your setback areas, curb your planters, and plant the right number and size of trees. Front-yard walls, fences, and hedges can’t exceed 42 inches, and parking lots visible from the street must be screened to 42 inches. Edges next to residential usually need a solid 6-foot wall (lower within the neighbor’s front yard depth). Irrigation must be water-efficient, and your front yard must be mostly plants, with only limited hardscape.

Source References

  • § 17.16.125 (Site planning: parking screening, walls/fences, submittal content)
  • § 17.16.150 (Landscape standards for development sites in Ch. 17.16)
  • § 17.12.100 (Street and neighborhood interface; tall buildings near residential; fencing of private/utility areas)
  • § 17.12.110 (Landscape; artificial turf allowance note)
  • § 17.24.080 (C‑3 site standards; landscaping, irrigation, trees, turf/artificial turf, MWELO, parkway)
  • § 17.28.050 (C‑M use limitations; edges to “R”, setbacks, parking-lot landscaping %, irrigation/trees/materials)
  • § 17.32.090 (Setback landscaping/irrigation/trees in a district not specified in the source)
  • § 17.36.090 (M‑2 limitations; setbacks; landscaping; walls at residential edges; irrigation)
  • § 17.44.350 (Landscaping and ornamental features permitted in yards)
  • § 17.96.010; § 17.96.030 (Intent/purpose and citywide landscape requirements)
  • § 12.32.050 (Parkway landscape revisions — cited in § 17.24.080.A.2.ix)

Sources

Source passages

  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.16.125) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.24.080) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.96.030) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.80.090) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.12.100) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.36.090) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.32.090) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.28.050) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.44.350) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.96.010) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.16.150) Medium relevance
  • Paramount Zoning Code (§ 17.12.110) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

How tall can my front-yard fence or hedge be in Paramount?

Front-yard decorative walls, fences, or hedges located in any required front yard are capped at 42 inches in height (§ 17.16.125.D.1). Hedges up to 42 inches and typical ornamental plants/fixtures are broadly allowed in required yards, subject to visibility rules elsewhere (§ 17.44.350).

Do I have to screen a parking lot that faces the street?

Yes. Where a surface parking area is visible from a public street, you must provide screening at least 42 inches tall using a landscaped berm, solid wall, solid fence, dense shrubs, or a trellis with landscape material (§ 17.16.125.C.7).

What landscape irrigation systems are required?

Irrigation must be water-efficient: drip for beds, bubblers for shrubs/trees, rotating sprinklers rated under one gallon per minute, pressure regulation, and separate valves by hydrozone (§ 17.24.080.A.2.a; § 17.28.050.H.1; § 17.32.090.H.1; § 17.36.090.J.1).

How many trees do I need along a commercial or industrial street frontage?

Most commercial/industrial standards require one box tree plus three 15-gallon trees for every 50 feet of landscaping along the public right-of-way—C‑3 calls for a 24-inch box tree, while C‑M and some other chapters specify a 20-inch box (§ 17.24.080.A.2.c; § 17.28.050.H.3; § 17.32.090.H.3; § 17.80.090.C).

What if my project is next to residential zoning?

Provide a solid 6-foot wall on the shared boundary; within the depth of the neighboring residential front yard, that wall must be 36–42 inches instead. Barbed/razor/concertina wire and cut glass are prohibited where visible (§ 17.28.050.B; § 17.36.090.F.1).

Are artificial turf and drought-tolerant materials allowed in front yards?

Drought-tolerant materials are encouraged, with ≥65% front-yard plant coverage and ≤35% accent non-plant area common across districts (§ 17.24.080.A.2.d.ii–iii; § 17.28.050.H.4.b–c; § 17.96.030.C–D). Artificial turf is allowed with detailed specs in several chapters (§ 17.24.080; § 17.28.050; § 17.96.030), but § 17.16.150 and § 17.12.110 conflict on synthetic turf; verify with Planning.

What are the R‑M multifamily landscaping minimums?

Landscape at least 20% of the development site (in addition to the front setback), install curbed planters (min 3 ft wide/50 sq ft), and plant one 24-inch box shade/canopy tree per 1,250 sq ft of lot area; palms don’t count (§ 17.16.150.A.1.a.i–ii). Parking visible from streets must be screened to 42 inches (§ 17.16.125.C.7).

Can I put parking or mechanical equipment in the industrial front setback?

In M‑2, parking in the front setback is prohibited, and unscreened mechanical equipment or structures are not permitted in the front yard. The landscaped front setback varies with lot depth and building height (e.g., up to 30/35/40 ft on very deep lots) (§ 17.36.090.E.1–2).

General information, not legal advice.

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