Local zoning · Pico Rivera

Pico Rivera — Landscaping and Screening

Q: What does "screening" mean in Pico Rivera zoning?

In Pico Rivera the code defines screening as locating the object(s) to be screened behind a building, wall, fence, landscaping, berm, or other device so the object(s) are precluded or minimized from view; see § 18.04.756 .

Q: How tall can a front‑yard fence be?

Front‑yard fences: a non‑solid fence/wall may be up to 4.5 ft , while solid fences, walls and solid hedges in the front setback are limited to 3.5 ft ; special pilaster/gate setbacks and design‑plan requirements are in § 18.42.050 (Note 32).

Q: What landscaping is required where a commercial property borders single‑family homes?

When a property abuts R‑E, S‑F, PUD, or R‑M zones, chart notes commonly require a larger setback (sometimes 25 ft ) and at least 10 ft of that setback to be fully landscaped; see the development notes in § 18.42.050 (Note 26).

Q: If I propose a multi‑family project next to single‑family, do I have to build a wall?

When an R‑M parcel abuts O‑S, R‑E, or S‑F , the code requires a continuous 6‑ft high solid masonry wall along the side/rear property lines (with reductions in height at the front 15 ft area) — this requirement is in the chart notes at § 18.42.050 (Note 32).

Q: Where are the water‑efficient landscape rules I must follow?

The municipal WELO is codified in Chapter 13.90 ; the zoning notes require compliance with Chapter 13.90 for new landscaping and many site projects (see Note 53 in the chart notes).

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Landscaping and screening in Pico Rivera are regulated primarily through the zoning development notes and property development regulations; the code defines screening and sets numeric minimums for landscape buffers, planter widths, parking-area landscaping, and fence/wall heights and materials. See the code definition of screening at § 18.04.756 and the development-chart notes that carry most landscaping and fence rules at § 18.42.050 (see Note 32 and related notes) and the parking/landscape notes in § 18.44.050.

The short version: landscape buffers of 5 feet are commonly required adjacent to walkways and to residential edges, parking lots must include planted islands and irrigation, and front-yard fences are tightly limited in height and openness; certain multi‑family adjacency conditions require a 6‑ft solid masonry wall. Verify project‑level requirements with the zoning administrator because several of these rules are implemented as chart notes or precise‑plan conditions.

Note: landscaping must also comply with the city's Water Efficient Landscape rules in Chapter 13.90 (WELO) where applicable.

R-E (Rural Estate) — landscaping & screening basics

Purpose / typical uses: larger residential lots and low‑density residential uses; transition zone to open space.
Key landscaping/screening rules: where non‑residential or multi‑family uses abut R-E, the Table notes require larger setbacks and landscaping buffers — e.g., a 25 ft rear/side setback (with 10 ft of that landscaped) when abutting R-E, S-F, PUD or R-M property (Note 26 in the development chart) § 18.42.050.
Where it applies: whenever a property in another zone abuts an R‑E parcel; check Note 26 / the Property Development Regulations Chart.

S-F (Single‑Family) — landscaping & screening basics

Purpose / typical uses: conventional single‑family lots.
Key dimensional/landscape rules: typical front/rear/side yard rules and the Note 27 projection limitations (smaller encroachments allowed in S‑F than in R‑E/R‑M); landscape/open‑space minimums (e.g., 1,000 sq ft contiguous outdoor living space for S‑F and R‑E) are in the chart notes § 18.42.050.
Fences/walls: front-yard fences are limited (non‑solid fence/wall up to 4.5 ft; solid fences/hedges max 3.5 ft in front setback) — see Note 32.

R-M (Multiple‑Family) — landscaping & screening basics

Purpose / typical uses: multifamily apartments and planned residential development.
Key standards affecting landscaping/screening: multifamily projects must provide private and common open space, roof‑deck planters for screening, and comply with objective design and landscaping minimums; where R‑M abuts O‑S, R‑E, or S‑F, a 6‑ft solid masonry wall must be erected along side/rear property lines (Note 32) § 18.42.050.

CG / C‑M / C‑C (Commercial zones) — landscaping & screening basics

Purpose / typical uses: commercial retail, service, and office uses.
Key requirements: commercial projects are subject to parking‑area landscaping minimums (minimum 3% of total off‑street parking area landscaped; planter islands with concrete curbing; permanent irrigation) referenced in the parking notes § 18.44.050 (Note 18 and Note 22). Front and interior landscaped setbacks (often 5 ft) apply in many commercial notes (Note 60).

CPD / PA / PUD (Planned/Specific Plan zones)

Purpose / typical uses: planned commercial / mixed‑use / specific plan areas (e.g., Specific Plan 301 excerpts).
Key landscape rules: Specific Plans and CPD notes commonly impose a 5‑ft minimum front landscape setback (or larger where design calls for it), required parkway/planting strips, and landscape planting schedules and irrigation; many Specific Plan design chapters require a landscape plan prepared by a licensed landscape architect and permanent irrigation § 18.42.050.

O‑S / PF (Open space / Public Facilities)

Purpose / typical uses: parks, open space, and public uses.
Key notes: open‑space land must be landscaped and provided with permanent irrigation; open‑space areas are subject to planting schedules and phased installation during construction § 18.42.050.

IG / IPD / IL (Industrial) — landscaping & screening

Purpose / typical uses: light and general industrial.
Key requirements: industrial sites often require landscape screening of loading/utility areas and may require landscaped buffers adjacent to residential zones; landscape planter areas and irrigation and screening of above‑ground utilities/transformers are required (see Note 52 and utility screening notes) § 18.42.050. Transformer clearances and best‑practice screening designs are encouraged (PGE Greenbook referenced in city materials for pad‑mount transformer screening).

Quick Reference Table (most decision‑relevant landscaping/screening rules)

Rule / item	Requirement (typical)	Code reference
Definition of screening	Screening = behind building, wall, fence, landscaping, berm, or device that precludes/minimizes view	§ 18.04.756
Front‑yard fence heights	Non‑solid fence/wall ≤ 4.5 ft; solid fence/hedge ≤ 3.5 ft in front setback; special rules for gates	§ 18.42.050 (Note 32)
Rear/side buffer when abutting residential	Minimum 5 ft landscaped planter; in some cases 25 ft rear setback with 10 ft landscaped when abutting R‑E/S‑F/R‑M/PUD	§ 18.42.050 (Notes 26, 32)
R‑M adjacent masonry wall	6‑ft high continuous solid masonry wall required where R‑M abuts O‑S, R‑E or S‑F (reduced at front yards)	§ 18.42.050 (Note 32)
Parking-area landscaping	Minimum 3% of off‑street parking area landscaped; planter islands with concrete curb; permanent irrigation	§ 18.44.050 (Note 18)
Tree/shrub density	Common chart notes set 1 fifteen‑gallon tree + 10 five‑gallon shrubs per 1,000 sq ft of required landscape area (others use tree per 3,000 sq ft in some commercial notes)	Chart/zone notes in § 18.42.050 / zone development standards
Water efficiency	Landscaping must comply with the city's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO), Chapter 13.90	Chapter 13.90 (WELO) and § 18.42.050 (Note 53)

Practical guidance & interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

The bulk of landscaping/screening rules are implemented as chart notes and zone‑specific design standards, so the first stop for any project is the Property Development Regulations Chart and the associated notes in § 18.42.050 (look for Note numbers like 26, 27, 32, 60, etc.). Those notes control numeric buffer widths, fence heights, and required landscape plan content.
For off‑street parking landscaping and planter technicals (curb height, irrigation, minimum percent of lot), consult the parking/landscape notes under § 18.44.050. These rules are frequently enforced at ministerial site‑plan/ZCR review.
Fence materials and style: chain‑link is explicitly prohibited in site walls; site walls are expected to match building materials and be treated on both sides. See Note 32 and the design‑standards text that references materials and anti‑graffiti finish requirements.
Screening of utilities/trash and mechanical equipment is required — use walls, landscaping, berms or parapets per the mechanical/trash enclosure notes; rooftop equipment must be concealed behind parapets or enclosed.

Links you may need while preparing submittals: when you address parking impacts include the city's parking rules via the Pico Rivera Parking page, integrate landscape setbacks into your site layout using Pico Rivera Development Standards, expect design review per the Pico Rivera Design Review procedures (or ministerial ZCR), and check for special Overlay rules via Pico Rivera Overlay Districts. For ADUs remember separate ADU rules may affect landscape setbacks — see Pico Rivera ADUs. Also coordinate mechanical and fire‑clearance requirements with the California Building Standards Code.

Parking link: Pico Rivera Parking
Development standards link: Pico Rivera Development Standards
Design review link: Pico Rivera Design Review
Overlay rules link: Pico Rivera Overlay Districts
ADU rules link: Pico Rivera ADUs
Building code link: California Building Standards Code
Zoning overview link: Pico Rivera Zoning

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Confirm the property's base zone and applicable overlay(s) and pull the Property Development Regulations Chart; review the chart notes (Note 26, 27, 32, 60, etc.) in § 18.42.050.
Provide a landscape plan showing species list, plant sizes, irrigation design and permanent maintenance provisions; reference Chapter 13.90 (WELO) when applicable (Note 53).
Demonstrate parking‑area landscaping meets § 18.44.050 standards (planting islands, curbing, minimum %).
If project abuts residential zones, show required 5 ft planters or 25 ft setback + 10 ft landscaped area where invoked by the chart notes.
If in R‑M abutting R‑E/S‑F/O‑S, show the 6‑ft masonry wall location and construction (Note 32) and indicate who will maintain.
Identify and show screening for trash enclosures, transformers, backflow devices and rooftop/mechanical equipment per the screening requirements in the design standards.
Show fence/wall elevations and materials; ensure front‑yard fences meet front setback height/opening rules (Note 32).
Confirm lighting is fully shielded and meets foot‑candle limits shown in the design standards.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Which Note applies to my lot?	Landscape and fence rules are implemented as chart notes; different notes apply to different zones/columns. Applying the wrong note can lead to design rework.	Verify the zone column entry in the Property Development Regulations Chart and read § 18.42.050 Notes (26, 27, 32, 60, etc.).
Conflicting tree counts (1/1,000 vs 1/3,000)	The code contains several tree density formulas in different notes (some commercial notes use tree per 3,000 sq ft) — inconsistent math can fail plan check.	Use the specific chart note or zone subsection that applies to your project; cite that note in the landscape plan.
Fence material & HOA covenants	City prohibits chain‑link and requires finished walls; HOAs may have stricter requirements that affect approvals or later enforcement.	Confirm materials per Note 32 (§ 18.42.050) and coordinate with HOA CC&Rs; if inconsistent, note "Verify with the jurisdiction" and HOA.
Fire clearance / tree placement vs WELO	WELO (Chapter 13.90) requires certain plant choices/irrigation; fire code or CAL FIRE guidance may require different defensible‑space treatments.	Comply with WELO for landscape irrigation and with local fire authority for defensible‑space; where they conflict, verify with the jurisdiction and fire authority.
Parcel‑specific setbacks	Some setbacks (e.g., 25 ft rear setback when abutting residential) depend on adjacency; parcel maps or alleys can change which rule applies.	Confirm property lines, alleys, abutting zone designations and apply the correct chart note; "Verify with the jurisdiction" for ambiguous adjacency.

Plain‑English Summary

Pico Rivera's zoning rules require landscaped buffers and screening in predictable places: trees, shrubs, planter strips and irrigation along streets, between parking and walkways, and between commercial/multi‑family projects and single‑family neighbors; front fences are low and often must be open (not solid), and where R‑M meets residential zones the code requires a 6‑ft masonry wall. Check the chart notes in § 18.42.050 and parking/landscape notes in § 18.44.050, and comply with the city's Water‑Efficient Landscape rules in Chapter 13.90.

Source References

Definition of screening: § 18.04.756.
Property Development Regulations Chart notes (fences, setbacks, buffers, wall rules): § 18.42.050 (Notes 26, 27, 32, 60, 62, etc.).
Off‑street parking landscaping requirements and Landscape Standards Diagram notes: § 18.44.050 (Note 18, Note 22).
Design standards / multifamily open space / planter and screening details (roof deck planters, trash enclosure screening, mechanical screening): chart notes and objective design standards referenced in § 18.42.050.
WELO / water‑efficient landscaping reference: Chapter 13.90 (cited in code notes; Note 53).
Transformer and utility screening guidance (illustrative; PGE Greenbook provided in materials): PGE Greenbook excerpts included in the file set (illustrative guidance for pad‑mount transformer screening).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Pico Rivera Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code High relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code (§ 9) High relevance
California Building Code High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code High relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code (Article I) High relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code High relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code High relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code (Article I) High relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code Medium relevance
California Building Code Medium relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code Medium relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code Medium relevance
California Building Code Medium relevance
Pico Rivera Zoning Code Medium relevance
California Building Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Pico Rivera code library

Frequently asked questions

What does "screening" mean in Pico Rivera zoning?

In Pico Rivera the code defines screening as locating the object(s) to be screened behind a building, wall, fence, landscaping, berm, or other device so the object(s) are precluded or minimized from view; see § 18.04.756.

How tall can a front‑yard fence be?

Front‑yard fences: a non‑solid fence/wall may be up to 4.5 ft, while solid fences, walls and solid hedges in the front setback are limited to 3.5 ft; special pilaster/gate setbacks and design‑plan requirements are in § 18.42.050 (Note 32).

Do I need a landscape plan and irrigation design?

Yes—many chart notes require a complete landscape plan and permanent irrigation (and many multi‑family/commercial projects require plans prepared by a licensed landscape architect). The code also requires compliance with the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 13.90), noted in § 18.42.050 (Note 53).

What landscaping is required where a commercial property borders single‑family homes?

When a property abuts R‑E, S‑F, PUD, or R‑M zones, chart notes commonly require a larger setback (sometimes 25 ft) and at least 10 ft of that setback to be fully landscaped; see the development notes in § 18.42.050 (Note 26).

Are parking lots required to include trees and planter islands?

Yes. Off‑street parking areas must include landscape islands and planting equal to a minimum percentage of the parking area (for example the code's parking notes require at least 3% landscaped area, planter islands with curbing and permanent irrigation) under § 18.44.050 (parking/landscape notes).

If I propose a multi‑family project next to single‑family, do I have to build a wall?

When an R‑M parcel abuts O‑S, R‑E, or S‑F, the code requires a continuous 6‑ft high solid masonry wall along the side/rear property lines (with reductions in height at the front 15 ft area) — this requirement is in the chart notes at § 18.42.050 (Note 32).

Are chain‑link fences allowed for perimeter screening?

Chain‑link is specifically prohibited for site walls; walls and fences should use materials like wood, vinyl, wrought iron, brick, or stone and be architecturally treated on both sides — see the fencing and wall notes in § 18.42.050 and related design standards.

Does the code require specific tree sizes or quantities?

Yes—some notes require a tree count/sizing (for example, the chart notes include formulas such as 1 fifteen‑gallon tree + 10 five‑gallon shrubs per 1,000 sq ft of required landscape area or variations like one 15‑gal tree per 3,000 sq ft in some commercial sections). Confirm the applicable zone note; see the chart/notes in § 18.42.050.

Will screening requirements affect ADUs?

ADUs have separate height/setback rules under state ADU law, but local landscaping and fence notes still apply to site improvements and screening where the ADU interacts with the lot; consult Pico Rivera's ADU guidance in conjunction with the Property Development Regulations Chart and notes in § 18.42.050. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific application.

Where are the water‑efficient landscape rules I must follow?

The municipal WELO is codified in Chapter 13.90; the zoning notes require compliance with Chapter 13.90 for new landscaping and many site projects (see Note 53 in the chart notes).

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