Local zoning · Perris

Perris — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What plant spacing and sizes do I need for screening a loading dock next to houses in Perris?

Perris requires a 25‑ft planting buffer and a 6‑ft high shrub screen where loading/unloading areas abut residential areas or parks; trees in that buffer should be placed 15–20 ft o.c. with 50% of the trees at 36‑inch box size and the remainder at 24‑inch box (§ 19.70.060 ) .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Landscaping and screening in Perris are regulated through the city's zoning and landscape chapters (the local "Title 19" zoning code), which set planting, irrigation, screening, wall/fence, tree-protection, and parking-area landscape standards that apply across residential, commercial and industrial zones. The rules are enforced at plan review and inspections; applicants should read the city's zoning summary on Perris Zoning before preparing plans (§ 19.70.040, § 19.02.070) . This page stays strictly within Perris zoning/land-use rules — it does not interpret Title 24 or state building-code requirements (see California Building Standards Code) which are separate matters.

How this page uses Perris terms

When the code names a district or a numeric standard, that exact district or number is quoted below and tied to the controlling code citation (the § reference) and the ordinance extract from the city file.

City-wide rules that apply everywhere

Screening of equipment, mechanicals, transformers, rooftop equipment, and above-ground utility appurtenances must be provided so they are not visible from adjacent properties or the public right-of-way; rooftop equipment screening height must equal the maximum equipment height (§ 19.02.070) .
Planting installed for screening must be sized and spaced to provide 100% screening within three years, be evergreen or year-round screening species, maintained in healthy condition, and served by a permanent automatic irrigation system (§ 19.70.060) .
Corner and sight-triangle clearance rules prohibit screening or planting that blocks driver sightlines within the triangular corner area (dimensions set by the code) (§ 19.02.050) .
All landscaping and irrigation plans required by the zoning code must meet the landscape-plan and irrigation requirements in the landscape chapter and are subject to inspections and certification by the Development Services Department (§ 19.70.040, § 19.70.070) .
Street-tree standards, root-barrier requirements, mulch, and median/parkway planting details are in the street-tree/urban-forest chapter; lineal root barriers are required where trees are within five feet of hardscape (§ 19.71.060) .

(For how landscaping interacts with vehicle areas see Perris Parking.)

District-by-district breakdown

Note: the ordinance organizes zones in chapters (e.g., housing zones, commercial, industrial) and then applies the landscaping/screening chapters across them. Below are Perris districts where the code explicitly ties landscaping/screening rules to a zone.

R-6,000 (single‑family residential)

Purpose & common uses: The R-6,000 zone provides for detached single‑family residential development (six to eight du/acre) (§ 19.25.010), and permits one‑family dwellings and accessory residential uses (§ 19.25.020) .
Landscaping & screening obligations: New residential tracts must provide landscaping and irrigation per the landscape chapter; parkway/park/parkway plantings and minimum two 15‑gallon front‑yard trees in subdivisions are required along with automatic irrigation controls (§ 19.70.060; § 19.70.040) .
Walls/fences: Walls and fences in residential projects must follow the city's residential design guidelines and screening provisions (§ 19.24.090, cross‑referencing § 19.02.040) .
Where it applies: single‑family subdivisions and detached-lot developments within Perris city limits.

MFR‑22 (multi‑family residential)

Purpose & uses: The MFR‑22 chapter establishes multi‑family standards and site planning expectations for higher‑density residential developments; landscaping is required consistent with the landscape chapter (§ 19.28.100, design and landscaping cross‑references) .
Landscaping & screening obligations: Multi‑family projects must provide landscaped public frontages and interior common-area landscaping, break up building mass with planting, and screen mechanical/utility areas consistent with § 19.70.060 and the Residential Design Guidelines (§ 19.26.090, § 19.70.060) .
Where it applies: developments and complexes proposing multi‑family residential building types within MFR zoning.

Commercial zones (general commercial rules)

Purpose & uses: Commercial zones allow retail, offices and service uses per the use table; landscaping is required to soften parking and entries (§ 19.70.060) .
Key landscaping standards (commercial):
- Minimum one 24‑inch box tree per six parking stalls and a minimum of 10% of site landscaped (§ 19.70.060) .
- Parking islands: 4‑ft minimum planter, end islands 8‑ft minimum with two 24‑inch box trees (§ 19.70.060) .
- Parking/drives must be screened by a 36‑inch high shrub border (double row of five‑gallon shrubs at 3½ ft o.c.) (§ 19.70.060) .
- Loading/unloading areas adjacent to residential/parks/streets require a 25‑ft planting buffer and 6‑ft high shrub screens (trees spaced 15–20 ft o.c.; sizing split between 36‑inch and 24‑inch box trees) (§ 19.70.060) .
Walls & fences: Commercial fences must use durable, architecturally compatible materials (permitted materials listed) and shall not exceed 12 ft in height for required fencing (§ 19.02.040) .
Where it applies: shopping centers, stand‑alone commercial buildings, service areas visible from the public right‑of‑way.

Industrial zones — BP, LI, GI

Purpose & typical uses: The industrial chapter defines BP (Business Park), LI (Light Industrial) and GI (General Industrial) zones with uses ranging from light manufacturing, warehousing, offices and related commercial uses (§ 19.44.010) .
Landscaping & screening obligations:
- Landscape is required pursuant to chapter 19.70; landscaping must complement building architecture, highlight entries, and screen loading/service areas (§ 19.44.060, § 19.70.060) .
- Vines on long industrial walls are encouraged; plantings required around building bases except where loading areas are not visible from the street (§ 19.44.060) .
Fences: Industrial zones generally follow commercial fence rules but may allow chain link or barbed wire only where not visible from the public right‑of‑way or for interior lot lines, subject to criteria (§ 19.02.040) .
Where it applies: business parks, light and general industrial sites.

Quick standards table (decision‑relevant)

Rule or required element	Typical numeric standard / requirement	Code Reference
Screening for rooftop/mechanical equipment	Screen height = height of equipment; conceal from public view	§ 19.02.070
Parking‑lot tree minimums	1 24‑inch box tree per 6 stalls; 15‑gallon minimum; 30% of trees 36‑inch box or larger	§ 19.70.060
Parking island dimensions	Island planter min 4 ft; end islands min 8 ft with two 24‑inch box trees	§ 19.70.060
Loading/service buffer next to residences/parks	25 ft planting buffer; 6 ft shrub screen; trees 15–20 ft o.c.; mix of 36‑inch and 24‑inch box sizes	§ 19.70.060
Screening planted for visual barrier	100% screening within 3 years; permanent automatic irrigation required	§ 19.70.060
Fences/walls — permitted/prohibited materials	Permitted: split‑face masonry, stone, brick, stucco, wood, block/wrought iron combos; Prohibited: barbed wire, chain link, corrugated metal, untreated PCC	§ 19.02.040
Fences — maximum height for required fencing	12 ft (excluding decorative/ornamental work or earthwork)	§ 19.02.040
Street trees / root protection	Lineal root barriers where street trees are within 5 ft of hardscape; 4‑ft clear ring in turf, 3‑inch mulch layer	§ 19.71.060

Practical guidance and interpretation (plain‑English)

If you are designing a commercial or industrial site, start your landscape plan around the parking‑lot tree counts, island sizes, and loading‑area buffers in § 19.70.060 — those are commonly enforced at plan check and inspection .
For screening mechanicals or wireless accessory equipment, expect a requirement to hide or landscape around the equipment (planting bed min 3 ft for some ground‑mounted facilities) and to place screening at least 18 inches from curb/gutter flow lines in the right‑of‑way (§ 19.02.070) .
Walls longer than 40 ft must be articulated (pilasters, insets for plantings) and walls over 25 ft often require planting integrated into the design; the city enforces materials lists and prohibits chain link and barbed wire in visibility locations (§ 19.26.090, § 19.02.040) .
Street‑tree and irrigation details (spacing, root barriers, controller location) are technical requirements the city will check; consult the technical manual for landscape design referenced in the code and coordinate with the project arborist and the city arborist rules (§ 19.71.060) .
If your project will install landscaping as a mitigation or condition of approval (a required “protected” tree or screening), those trees become protected and removal or significant alteration will require city authorization under the tree chapter (§ 19.71.060) .

(Design review and certain permit types can affect landscape expectations — see Perris Design Review and Perris Development Standards.)

Checklist

Include a stamped landscape plan that meets the irrigation and planting standards in § 19.70.040 / § 19.70.060 .
Show parking trees: counts, species, and planter dimensions (1 × 24‑inch box per 6 stalls; island widths) (§ 19.70.060) .
Show screening: species, spacing to reach 100% screening within 3 years, and irrigation for those screens (§ 19.70.060) .
Identify all protected trees (DBH ≥ 6″ where required) and include a tree‑protection plan for construction (§ 19.71.060) .
Specify fence/wall materials and heights consistent with permitted/prohibited lists and articulation rules (§ 19.02.040, § 19.26.090) .
Avoid planting or fixed screening in required corner sight triangles or triangle areas (§ 19.02.050) .
Provide inspection notes and set aside approved plans on site for landscape inspections (§ 19.70.070) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Protected trees vs. routine trees	Some trees (front yard, protected project trees) are regulated and removal can be restricted	Verify whether trees on the site are designated as protected and require a tree‑protection plan (§ 19.71.060)
Height/visibility at corners	Planting or walls in sight triangle can create safety violations and be required to be removed	Confirm corner triangle dimensions and ensure planting heights meet § 19.02.050 sight‑triangle rules
Fence/wall material or height exceptions	Industrial security or special entry monuments may need deviations	Check whether chain link/barbed wire exceptions apply (industrial interior lines) and whether decorative caps/ornamentation affect the 12‑ft limit (§ 19.02.040)
WUI / wildfire defensible‑space conflicts	Wildland‑urban interface or fire rules may require non‑combustible materials or defensible landscape treatments beyond general landscape code	Verify with Fire and WUI code and Title 24 interplay (not covered here); local WUI provisions may overlay zoning; see overlay districts and the California Building Standards Code for building/fire requirements — Verify with jurisdiction.
Parcel‑specific protected easements or right‑of‑way issues	Public trees, utilities, or PROW accessory equipment rules limit what can be planted/installed	Confirm PROW rules for above‑ground accessory equipment and spacing from curb/gutter (§ 19.02.070)

Plain‑English summary

Perris requires landscape plans that provide enough trees, shrubs, irrigation and screening to meet the numeric planting and screening standards (parking‑lot tree counts, planting buffer widths, and 100% screening within three years); fences/walls must use approved materials and follow articulation rules; protected trees and street‑tree standards are enforced and must be shown on plans (§ 19.70.060, § 19.02.040, § 19.71.060) .

Source References

Perris Municipal Code — Screening and related provisions: § 19.02.070 (screening of equipment and utilities) .
Perris Municipal Code — Landscaping chapter: § 19.70.040, § 19.70.060, § 19.70.070 (landscape plan, parking/lots, screening and inspections) .
Perris Municipal Code — Fences/walls, permitted and prohibited materials, heights and maintenance: § 19.02.040 .
Perris Municipal Code — Industrial zones and landscape expectations: § 19.44.010, § 19.44.060 (BP/LI/GI purpose and landscape standards) .
Perris Municipal Code — Residential zoning (R‑6,000) uses and cross‑references: § 19.25.010, § 19.25.020 (uses; landscaping cross‑refs) .
Perris Municipal Code — Street tree and tree‑protection standards: § 19.71.060, § 19.71.090 (root barriers, protected trees, construction protection) .
Perris Municipal Code — Multi‑family/site design cross‑references: § 19.26.090, § 19.28.100 (design/landscaping cross‑refs) .
Perris zoning & planning overview (internal): Perris Zoning and Planning portal — Perris Zoning .

(Note: All ordinance extracts above were taken from the Perris zoning/landscape code documents retrieved for this research. For any parcel‑specific interpretation or when code text seems ambiguous, verify with the Development Services Department and reference the official online municipal code.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Perris Zoning Code (section 19.85.080) High relevance
CBC § 19.70.040 (chapter shall) High relevance
Perris Zoning Code (section 19.85.080) High relevance
Perris Zoning Code (§ 19.02.050) High relevance
Perris Zoning Code (§ 19.26.090) High relevance
Perris Zoning Code (section 19.02.130.) High relevance
Perris Zoning Code (chapter 19.71.) High relevance
Perris Zoning Code High relevance

Cited sections

Official Perris code library

Frequently asked questions

What plant spacing and sizes do I need for screening a loading dock next to houses in Perris?

Perris requires a 25‑ft planting buffer and a 6‑ft high shrub screen where loading/unloading areas abut residential areas or parks; trees in that buffer should be placed 15–20 ft o.c. with 50% of the trees at 36‑inch box size and the remainder at 24‑inch box (§ 19.70.060) .

What materials and maximum heights does Perris allow for commercial fences and walls?

Commercial fences must use durable, architecturally compatible materials (split‑face masonry, stone, brick, stucco, wood, block/wrought iron, etc.) and prohibited materials include barbed wire, chain link, corrugated metal and untreated PCC; required fencing heights may not exceed 12 ft (excluding ornamental caps or earthwork) (§ 19.02.040) .

How fast must a planted screen reach full opacity (100% coverage) in Perris?

When landscaping is provided for screening, plant materials must be sized and spaced to achieve 100% screening within three years, use species that retain screening year‑round, be maintained, and be on permanent automatic irrigation (§ 19.70.060) .

Are street trees and root barriers regulated in Perris?

Yes. Street trees have detailed requirements (spacing, clear rings in turf, mulch, and lineal root barriers when within 5 ft of hardscape). The tree/urban forest chapter sets these standards and the technical manual referenced by the code contains planting details (§ 19.71.060) .

Do I have to screen rooftop mechanical equipment from the street in Perris?

Yes. Rooftop mechanical equipment must be painted/matched and screened; the screening height must equal the maximum height of the equipment so it is not visible from adjacent properties or the public right‑of‑way (§ 19.02.070) .

What inspection and certification steps does the city require for new landscaping?

Approved landscape plans must be kept onsite; privately maintained landscaping will undergo a minimum of three landscape inspections and must receive final certification as detailed in the landscape chapter (§ 19.70.070) .

Where does Perris require a planting strip along public frontage and how wide must it be?

Certain project types (e.g., multifamily and large developments) must provide a landscaped planter along public street frontage minimum 15 ft in width with specified berms, accent trees and entries (see residential design and project‑specific standards, e.g., § 19.26.090) .

Can industrial projects use chain‑link and razor wire in Perris?

Chain link and barbed/razor wire are generally prohibited where visible from the public right‑of‑way; industrial zones may allow chain link or barbed wire under limited conditions (interior lot lines, not visible from public right‑of‑way) subject to the code criteria (§ 19.02.040) .

If I need an exception (variance) for a wall or screening, where does the ordinance point me?

Variance and exception procedures are handled through the variances/exceptions chapter referenced by the zoning code; plan reviewers will direct applicants to the appropriate variance process (see zoning processing chapters and the development services procedures referenced in each zone chapter) — Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific process (§ 19.26.100, cross‑references) .

Are there special rules for landscaping for model‑home complexes or sales offices?

Yes. Model home complexes must submit landscape plans meeting the landscape chapter, include water‑efficient landscaping demonstrations, plant 24‑inch box trees near sales parking, install shrub borders at parking perimeters, and meet irrigation/controller placement rules (§ 19.70.060 and related model‑home subsections) .

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