Local zoning · Petaluma
Petaluma — Landscaping and Screening
Landscaping and Screening under the Petaluma local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
Overview
This page summarizes what the Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance requires for landscaping and screening (plants, berms, hedges, fences, walls, and tree rules) and where those rules live in the code. It focuses strictly on the zoning/planning ordinance requirements (landscaping/screening Chapters and related zoning development tables) — not the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) or other permitting programs. See the Source References for exact ordinance sections cited below.
What the ordinance requires (key rules at a glance)
- General landscaping definitions and materials requirements are in § 14.010.
- Acceptable screening types and construction standards (wall, fence, hedge, berm) are in § 14.020.
- Installation and maintenance obligations (irrigation, replacement, visibility exceptions) are in § 14.030.
- Fences and walls (where they may be placed and height limits) are regulated in § 13.020 – § 13.060 (fence permit; height/location; measurement; special rules).
- Tree protection and preservation (what a “protected tree” is, preservation expectations during development) are in § 17.040 – § 17.050.
When site- or use-specific landscape standards are required (for example screening of parking lots or mechanical equipment, tree planting sizes, etc.), those requirements appear in the specific-use standards in Chapter 7 (Standards for Specific Land Uses) and in the city’s lists/standards (street tree list, Tree Technical Manual, Landscape & Irrigation Standards) referenced by the ordinance. See the Section/Table cross-references below for where to look.
(Inline links to other Petaluma pages appear where those topics are commonly connected to landscaping: parking, Petaluma Development Standards, Petaluma Design Review, Petaluma Overlay Districts, Petaluma ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.)
District-by-district breakdown (how landscaping/screening interacts with each zone)
Below are the zoning districts that the ordinance explicitly ties to landscaping, screening, and fences. Each subsection gives the district purpose (as used in the code), typical uses, the short list of landscaping/screening controls that apply, and where the rules live.
Note: the ordinance tables in Chapter 4 show which development standards apply to each zone; they repeatedly point to the Chapters controlling fencing, landscaping and tree preservation (Chapters 13, 14, and 17). For zone-specific dimensional figures (setbacks, heights, lot sizes) consult the Chapter 4 tables referenced in each district item below.
OSP (Open Space & Parks)
- Purpose/typical uses: parks, open space. See Table 4.6 for standards.
- Landscaping/screening: subject to Chapter 14 landscaping definitions and standards; fences/walls follow Chapter 13 rules. See Table 4.6 note directing to Chapters 13–14–17.
AG (Agriculture)
- Purpose/typical uses: agricultural uses; large-lot rural development. See Table 4.6.
- Landscaping/screening: same Chapters apply; chain link with barbed wire allowed only with permit in certain districts (see § 13.040(C) for AG/I exceptions).
RR (Rural Residential)
- Purpose/typical uses: low‑density housing on large lots. See Table 4.7.
- Landscaping/screening: required to follow Chapter 14; existing trees should be preserved per § 17.050; fences/walls per Chapter 13 (setbacks and heights tied to district setbacks).
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 (Residential 1–5)
- Purpose/typical uses: single-family (R1), small-lot single or multi-family (R2–R5). See Tables 4.7–4.9 for dimensional standards (setbacks, heights, lot sizes).
- Landscaping/screening highlights:
- All residential zones are pointed to Ch. 13 (placement of fences/walls), Ch. 14 (landscaping/screening) and Ch. 17 (tree preservation).
- Front setback fence maximum: 42 inches in required front setback or on the front property line (see § 13.020 / Table 13.1).
- Side/rear solid fence outside setback: 6 feet permitted (subject to measurement rules). See § 13.020 and § 13.030.
C1 / C2 (Commercial 1 & 2)
- Purpose/typical uses: neighborhood and general commercial. See Table 4.11.
- Landscaping/screening: commercial parking and service areas have specific screening and landscaping obligations in the site-use standards (see Chapter 7 requirements cited in the parking/landscaping subsections). Screening of equipment and refuse is required; parking lots must be screened from the street by 42-inch high walls or planting at maturity. See Chapter 7 for specifics.
MU1A / MU1B / MU1C / MU2 (Mixed-Use)
- Purpose/typical uses: mixed-use centers, combining residential and commercial. See Tables 4.10.
- Landscaping/screening: rooftop planters and occupied roof plantings are required in some cases; site landscaping standards in Chapter 7 apply and reference the City’s List of Approved Street Trees and Tree Technical Manual.
BP (Business Park) / I (Industrial)
- Purpose/typical uses: parks for offices/industrial/manufacturing. See Table 4.12.
- Landscaping/screening: industrial sites must screen equipment, refuse, and outdoor storage; fences in industrial districts have limited exceptions (see § 13.040(C) for barbed-wire allowance with permit).
CF (Civic Facilities)
- Purpose/typical uses: public/civic uses. See Table 4.13.
- Landscaping/screening: same Chapters 13, 14, 17 apply; civic facilities follow abutting district setbacks where indicated.
PUD / PCD (Planned Unit / Planned Community Districts)
- Purpose/typical uses: project-specific mixed development with a unit development plan. Project-specific development standards (including landscaping/fencing) are established in the approved PUD/PCD Unit Development Plan and must include a professional landscape plan. See Chapter 19 for PUD submittal requirements.
Most used decision‑relevant standards (table)
| Topic | Key rule / numeric standard | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Landscaping definition and allowed composition (mix of plants/hardscape; gravel limit) | Gravel may not exceed 10% of required landscaped area; plant materials must be climate-appropriate | § 14.010(A)–(B) |
| Screening methods allowed | Masonry wall (meets Building Code), solid board fence (posts ≥ 4" x 4", boards ≥ 1" thick, posts ≤ 8 ft o.c.), opaque evergreen hedges/plantings, earth berms (max 2/3 of required height) | § 14.020(A)–(E) |
| Maintenance & irrigation | Owner must maintain plantings; ZA/Director may require automatic irrigation; plant heights measured as expected within 3 years; visibility exceptions allowed for traffic safety | § 14.030(A)–(D) |
| Fence heights by location | Within required front setback / on front property line: 42 in; street‑side setback: 42 in; interior side/rear outside setback: 6 ft solid or open; additional screening allowances per Table 13.1 | § 13.020 / Table 13.1 |
| Fence permits | Fence permit required; plot plan + details; Director approval for compliance | § 13.060 |
| Additional fence rules | Additional 2 ft open screening may be placed atop a 6 ft fence; temporary construction/security fencing allowed during active permits; special exceptions for tennis courts/commercial recreation | § 13.040 / § 13.025 |
| Parking lot screening & planting | Parking lots must be screened from street with 42 in solid fence or planting; 100 sq ft planting area per 6 spaces; shade tree canopy to cover 50% of parking surface at 15 yrs | Chapter 7 site standards (parking/landscaping) — see parking subrules in Ch. 7 |
| Tree protection & definition | “Protected tree” list includes species & DBH triggers (oaks, redwoods, bay, etc. — e.g., Coast Live Oak and many natives at 4 in DBH threshold; some species higher). Preserve where possible; protected trees receive special treatment in design & grading. | § 17.040; preservation rules § 17.050 |
Practical guidance / plain-English interpretation (original)
- If your project triggers a landscape requirement (new development, parking addition, or a site plan application), the ordinance expects a combination of living plantings and limited hardscape; you cannot meet a landscaping obligation with rocks or gravel alone (gravel capped at 10% of required landscaped area) — § 14.010(A).
- Screening must be durable and meet the specified types: masonry wall, solid board fence (with the listed post/board dimensions), dense evergreen hedge, or a berm — and berms can count for no more than two‑thirds of required height — § 14.020.
- For fences: front setbacks are important. If you place a fence in the front setback or on the front property line, the maximum solid height is 42 inches — taller decorative elements must be carefully designed and may count as “minor entry treatments” — § 13.020.
- If your project involves parking, planters, or mechanical screening, look to the site-specific standards in Chapter 7 for exact layout metrics (e.g., 100 sq ft per 6 parking stalls, 42 in screening height for parking, and required canopy cover at 15 years) — those are the practical numerical rules for parking-lot landscaping.
- Street trees must follow the City’s street tree planting plan and approved tree lists; the code references the Tree Technical Manual and the City’s Landscape & Irrigation Standards for details (tree species, spacing, root barriers, and watering standards) — see § 14.010(C) and the Chapter 7 cross-references.
Checklist
- Provide a landscape plan meeting § 14.010 composition rules (living plants + ≤ 10% gravel) and showing species that thrive in Petaluma.
- Show screening approach where required (masonry wall, solid board fence with 4"x4" posts and boards ≥1" thick, evergreen hedge with required thickness, or berms not exceeding 2/3 of height) per § 14.020.
- If installing a fence/wall, include a fence permit application with a scaled plot plan and fence height measured per § 13.030; confirm permitted height by setback location from § 13.020 / Table 13.1.
- For parking or commercial site work, include parking-lot planting calculations (100 sq ft per 6 spaces), 15‑year canopy coverage estimates, and screening details per Chapter 7 site standards.
- Show tree protection/preservation measures for any protected tree (species/DBH thresholds) per § 17.040–§ 17.050 and include arborist recommendations where trees are retained.
- Demonstrate irrigation/maintenance (irrigation may be required by the Zoning Administrator) and that plant sizes will reach required heights within 3 years per § 14.030(B)–(C).
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Exact Ch.7 subsection numbers for parking/planting metrics | Practical parking/planting numbers (100 sq ft per 6 spaces, canopy coverage, planter sizes) are in Chapter 7 site standards; Chapter 7 excerpts in the retrieved material do not always show a single § number for every sub-rule | Verify specific Section numbers in Chapter 7 (Standards for Specific Land Uses) and cite them on plan submittal; see Ch. 7 in the ordinance. Not found in retrieved materials with a single § citation — verify with the jurisdiction. |
| Which “street tree” list applies on a specific street | The code references a City List of Approved Street Trees and Tree Technical Manual, but the ordinance does not include the full list | Confirm species and spacing with the City’s Tree Technical Manual / List of Approved Street Trees before planting. Not found in retrieved materials (external standards). |
| Fence height measurement on sloped lots | The ordinance allows measurement conventions (up‑slope vs down‑slope) and total combined height with retaining walls; mis-measurement can cause violations | Confirm measurement method and provide sections/elevations with permit (see § 13.030). |
| Protected tree thresholds and exemptions | Several species and DBH thresholds are listed; removal or grading near protected trees can trigger discretionary review | If protected trees exist, include arborist report and tree protection plan as required by § 17.050. |
| Overlay or PUD-specific modifications | PUD/PCD approvals or Overlay Districts can create project-specific standards that override typical rules | Check the PUD/PCD Unit Development Plan or applicable Overlay (see Ch. 19 and Ch. 5) for special landscaping or screening rules. Verify with the jurisdiction. |
Plain‑English summary
Petaluma’s zoning ordinance requires real living landscaping (limited gravel), durable screening (masonry walls, solid-board fences built to the stated dimensions, or dense evergreen plantings), routine irrigation/maintenance, and care for protected trees; fences in front yards are short (42 in) while 6‑ft solid fences are allowed in rear yards outside setbacks — check § 14.010–§ 14.030, § 13.020–§ 13.060, and § 17.040–§ 17.050 for the exact rules.
Source References
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 14, Landscaping and Screening: § 14.010 – § 14.030.
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 13, Placement of Fences and Walls: § 13.020; § 13.025; § 13.030; § 13.040; § 13.060.
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 7, Standards for Specific Land Uses (parking screening, parking-lot planting rules, equipment/refuse screening, tree planter sizes, rooftop planters). (Chapter 7 excerpts — see the Ch. 7 landscaping/parking/screening subsections in the ordinance.)
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 4, Zone Districts and Allowable Land Uses (Tables 4.6–4.13 link zoning districts to Chapters 13, 14, and 17).
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 17, Tree Preservation: § 17.040; § 17.050 (protected tree list and preservation standards).
- City referenced standards: City of Petaluma List of Approved Street Trees, Tree Technical Manual, and City Landscape & Irrigation Standards (these are referenced in the ordinance; the full documents are maintained separately). See Chapter 7 cross-references.
Sources
Retrieved passages
- CBC § 010 (Chapter 14) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (section and) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (Chapter 15) High relevance
- CBC § 17.035 (Chapter 14) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (Chapter 12) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (section such) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (Section 13.025) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (Chapter 14) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (Section 19.030) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code High relevance
- CBC § 200 High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance
- Petaluma Zoning Code (Chapter 4) Medium relevance
Cited sections
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 14, Landscaping and Screening: **§ 14.010 – § 14.030**. (Chapter 14)
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 13, Placement of Fences and Walls: **§ 13.020; § 13.025; § 13.030; § 13.040; § 13.060**. (Chapter 13)
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 7, Standards for Specific Land Uses (parking screening, parking-lot planting rules, equipment/refuse screening, tree planter sizes, rooftop planters). (Chapter 7 excerpts — see the Ch. 7 landscaping/parking/screening subsections in the ordinance.) (Chapter 7)
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 4, Zone Districts and Allowable Land Uses (Tables 4.6–4.13 link zoning districts to Chapters 13, 14, and 17). (Chapter 4)
- Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance — Chapter 17, Tree Preservation: **§ 17.040; § 17.050** (protected tree list and preservation standards). (Chapter 17)
- City referenced standards: City of Petaluma List of Approved Street Trees, Tree Technical Manual, and City Landscape & Irrigation Standards (these are referenced in the ordinance; the full documents are maintained separately). See Chapter 7 cross-references. (Chapter 7)
- Petaluma_ZoningCode.md
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in Petaluma?
Yes — you must apply for a fence permit with the Community Development Department and submit a scaled plot plan and construction details; the permit requirement and submittal contents are in § 13.060.
How tall can a fence be in my front yard in Petaluma?
A solid fence in the required front setback or on the front property line is limited to 42 inches maximum height (Table 13.1 / § 13.020).
Can I use a berm instead of a wall for screening?
Yes — berms are an allowed screening method but no more than two‑thirds (2/3) of the required screen height may be provided by a berm; berms may be used in combination with hedges or walls (see § 14.020(E)).
Are artificial turf and artificial plants allowed to meet landscape requirements?
No — the ordinance prohibits artificial plants and turf where Chapter 7 landscaping standards apply (see Ch. 7 landscaping subsection; prohibition referenced in Chapter 7 materials). Verify the specific subsection of Chapter 7 that applies to your use.
What are the rules for screening mechanical equipment or dumpsters?
Exterior equipment and refuse areas must be screened by an architectural or landscape screen; specific design dimensions for enclosures (e.g., minimum heights, slab, gate design) are in Chapter 7 equipment/waste enclosure standards — see the Ch. 7 screening and enclosure subsections.
Do parking lots have to be landscaped and screened?
Yes — parking lots have parking‑lot landscaping requirements (e.g., 100 sq ft of planting per 6 parking spaces, shade trees to provide 50% canopy coverage of the parking surface at 15 years, and street screening of 42 in high or plantings to that maturity). These metrics are in the Chapter 7 site/parking standards.
What is a “protected tree” in Petaluma and how does that affect my project?
Protected trees include listed native oaks and other species, with DBH thresholds (for many oaks 4 in DBH or greater); protected tree identification and preservation expectations are in § 17.040 and preservation rules for development are in § 17.050. You must plan construction to preserve protected trees where feasible.
If my lot slopes, how is fence height measured?
Fence height is measured from the ground abutting the fence; on sloping ground the code allows measuring from the up‑slope side so long as the total combined height (including retaining walls) does not exceed the permitted limit as measured from the down‑slope side — see § 13.030(B) and Figure 13.2 for the measurement approach.
Can I put barbed wire on a fence in Petaluma?
Barbed wire/razor wire and some fence materials are generally prohibited, but a limited allowance for up to one foot of vertical barbed wire on top of fences in AG and I districts may be permitted with a fence permit from the Zoning Administrator when the use served is outdoor storage or livestock — see § 13.040(C).
Where do I find the city’s approved street trees and irrigation standards?
The ordinance requires conformance with the City’s List of Approved Street Trees and the City Landscape & Irrigation Standards; those documents are maintained separately by the City and are referenced in § 14.010(C) and Chapter 7 cross-references — contact the Community Development Department or check the City’s Landscape & Irrigation Standards.
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