Local zoning · Pittsburg

Pittsburg — Landscaping and Screening

Q: Are fences and walls regulated separately from landscaping?

Yes. Fences and walls are regulated in the fence article § 18.84.200–235 (heights, visibility, permits, construction/maintenance). Fence‑height exceptions and associated hearings are handled through zoning approval procedures in § 18.32.010(B)(3) and § 18.84.205 . Review those sections for numeric height limits and permit triggers.

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

Water‑efficient landscape standards are codified in § 18.84.310 and related landscape article sections; these require water‑efficient irrigation design, submittal of irrigation details, and may include prescriptive or performance compliance paths. Read the full § 18.84.310 language for applicability thresholds and compliance options.

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Pittsburg zoning ordinance (Title 18) requires for landscaping and screening — planting, irrigation, buffers, walls/fences, parking-lot shade, and maintenance — and where those rules live in the code. It synthesizes the requirements that apply across district types (residential, commercial, industrial, planned developments, hillside projects) and points to the exact code sections you must read during project design and entitlement. See the city’s rules for related topics such as zoning, land use, development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, and ADUs for how landscaping intersects with those processes.

What the code controls (short list)

Mandatory landscape plans, water-efficient standards, and installation/maintenance requirements: § 18.84.300 – § 18.84.333 (Landscape / irrigation article) .
Additional plant sizing, parking-lot tree counts and shade minimums, planter widths, and planting spacing standards: § 18.84.315 (additional landscape design standards) .
Landscape plan submittal contents and minimum planting credits/credits for preserved features: § 18.84.318, plus specific planting-area rules for industrial districts § 18.54.130.
Fence and wall regulation (general rules, height limits, permit requirements, visibility): § 18.84.200 – § 18.84.235 (Article IV, Fences and Walls) .
Transitional buffering between incompatible uses (required wall, tree screen, tree spacing and minimum planted height): hillside / planned developments standards, § 18.56.070(D–E).
Screening of mechanical equipment, trash enclosures and required schedules for eliminating nonconforming screening features: § 18.76.060 (nonconforming site features) .
Project-level design review applies to landscaping/landscape plans as part of permit review (design review is required for most projects): § 18.36.200 and § 18.53.040.

District-by-district breakdown (what to expect by zoning district)

Below are Pittsburg’s commonly used base districts and the landscaping/screening rules that most directly affect them. Bolded are the district names and the specific numeric standards you’ll want to track; each statement is referenced to the controlling code section.

R (single‑family residential)

Purpose & applicability: household-scale landscaping and street-tree spacing requirements appear under the residential and planned development rules; landscaping plans for subdivisions and larger projects are required at entitlement. See the general landscape article for plan standards.
Key standards: street-tree spacing in a detached single‑family subdivision is one tree per interior lot / two per corner lot, not less than every 60 ft; a newly planted street tree must be at least 6 ft tall and 1 in. caliper at planting. These specifics are in § 18.56.070(E)(3–4). Verify lot‑by‑lot requirements with the city for small-lot projects.

RM‑D / RH‑D (multifamily residential districts)

Purpose & applicability: multiunit projects must submit landscape plans and comply with the water‑efficient landscaping rules and design review requirements. All projects trigger design review and must show existing and proposed trees on plans. See § 18.36.200 and the landscape plan requirements § 18.84.318.

CC / CP / C (commercial and pedestrian/commercial districts)

Purpose & applicability: commercial sites must meet landscape area minimums, provide setbacks with planting along public rights-of-way, and screen service/trash areas and mechanical equipment. Design review will apply to how landscaping screens building features. See § 18.36.200 and the landscape standards § 18.84.315 and § 18.84.318.

IP / IL / IG (industrial districts)

Purpose & applicability: industrial sites have explicit planting-area and buffering rules to protect adjacent residential uses. Required yard landscaping and tree rows next to residential property lines are mandatory.
Key standards: required front and street-side yards must be landscaped; where a side or rear yard abuts a residential use, trees must be planted in a continuous planting area or irrigated tree wells at a minimum of 5 trees per 100 linear feet along that property line. See § 18.54.130(A–B).

PD (Planned Development) and Hillside PD

Purpose & applicability: PD and hillside planned developments are subject to site-specific landscaping and erosion-control planting. For hillsides the plan must show planting and irrigation of banks/slopes. Transitional buffers between adjacent dissimilar uses (noise, visual) may require a 6‑ft solid masonry or concrete wall and a tree screen planted at 8‑ft intervals with trees at least 6 ft tall at planting. These requirements appear in § 18.56.070(D–E).

OS (Open Space) and Overlay districts

Purpose & applicability: open‑space parcels and overlay districts (including interim study overlays) generally defer to the general landscape article for plant selection, but may carry overlay‑specific buffer or ridgeline protection standards (see the overlay chapter). Verify overlay triggers and additional planting/screening requirements under the applicable overlay ordinance. See § 18.70 for overlay rules and the landscape article § 18.84.300+ for general standards.

Decision‑relevant standards (quick table)

Requirement	Typical numeric standard / rule	Code Reference
Parking‑lot shade	1 tree per 6 parking spaces; trees must provide ≥35% midday shade of paved lot at maturity (allowances if vegetated carports/solar canopies are used)	§ 18.84.315(H)
Planter minimum width	3 ft minimum landscape area (excl. curbs/hardscape); end-of-row planters and curbing details required	§ 18.84.315(C, G)
Tree sizes at planting	Trees generally ≥15‑gallon for trees; specimen shrubs ≥5‑gallon; mass plantings ≥1‑gallon	§ 18.84.315(D)
Street trees (single‑family subdivision)	1 per interior lot / 2 per corner lot, not less than every 60 ft; tree ≥6 ft tall and 1 in. caliper at planting	§ 18.56.070(E)(3–4)
Buffer wall & tree screen (transitional)	6‑ft solid masonry/concrete wall may be required; tree screen planted every 8 ft, trees ≥6 ft at planting	§ 18.56.070(D)(1–3)
Industrial buffer trees	5 trees per 100 linear ft along side/rear property line abutting residential	§ 18.54.130(B)
Fence/wall regulation & permit	Fence/wall heights, exceptions and building/encroachment permits: see fence article § 18.84.200–235; fence height exception requires noticed hearing under § 18.32.010(B)(3)	§ 18.84.200–235 and § 18.32.010(B)

If a numeric detail above is not quoted verbatim from a code section in the materials you supplied, the table cell notes where to verify; otherwise the entry reflects the code text as available in the retrieved ordinance.

Practical guidance and interpretation (plain-English)

Treat the landscape plan as a core permit deliverable. The city expects a professionally drawn landscape plan showing existing/proposed trees, species, irrigation, planting details, curbs/planters, trash enclosures and any screening walls (see § 18.84.318).
For projects next to housing, the code frequently requires both a wall and a tree screen (hillside PD example). Plan for a 6‑ft masonry or concrete wall plus closely spaced trees unless the planning staff or commission approves another option under the transitional design rules (§ 18.56.070(D)).
Parking‑lot landscaping is performance‑based: count trees and confirm the ≥35% shade target at maturity, or propose alternative shading (arbors, PV carports) with an equivalent shading outcome to obtain relief under § 18.84.315(H).
Industrial sites must show continuous planting or irrigated tree wells where they abut residential uses and meet the 5 trees per 100 ft rule in § 18.54.130.
Fence and wall proposals (including exceptions) generally require a zoning approval; some exceptions trigger a noticed hearing (see § 18.32.010(B)(3) referencing fence-height exception procedures and § 18.84.205 for detailed standards).

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Submit a stamped landscape plan showing existing/proposed trees, species, container sizes, spacing, and irrigation plan as required by § 18.84.318.
Demonstrate compliance with water‑efficient landscape standards and the city’s water‑efficient plan requirements in § 18.84.310.
For parking lots, show tree count and shading calculations meeting 1 tree per 6 spaces / ≥35% shade (or acceptable alternative) per § 18.84.315(H).
Where the project abuts residential uses, include the required buffer (wall + tree screen) or equivalent mitigation per § 18.56.070(D).
If proposing fences/walls, identify height and materials and obtain any required building/encroachment permit and comply with § 18.84.200–235; apply for a fence‑height exception if needed (see § 18.32.010(B)(3)).
Provide trash and mechanical equipment screening details that meet nonconforming elimination timelines when applicable (§ 18.76.060) and show screening in elevations per design‑review submittal standards § 18.36.200.
Prepare an installation certification and a maintenance schedule per § 18.84.320 and § 18.84.323 (final acceptance often requires certification).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Which tree species are “acceptable”	Plant selection affects fire risk, water use, growth habit and conflicts with utilities; the code requires plant selection for fire resistance and energy efficiency but does not list a master species list in the sections retrieved	Verify whether Pittsburg publishes an approved species list or a plant palette for the planning commission; coordinate with the fire district and planning staff. § 18.84.315(A)
Exact fence height limits and exceptions	Fence height rules and exceptions determine whether you need a hearing or variance; the fence article controls procedures but numeric limits were not visible in the retrieved text snippets	Read § 18.84.205 for numeric heights and § 18.32.010(B)(3) for hearing triggers. If height is critical, request a pre‑application meeting.
Parcel‑specific buffer triggers	Transitional buffer/wall/tree requirements apply in some contexts (hillside PD example) but parcel specifics (noise, slope, adjacency) drive application	Verify whether your parcel is within a hillside PD or if transitional standards apply; see § 18.56.070(D–E) and confirm with staff.
Nonconforming screening obligations	Sites with missing screening may require staged elimination; failing to provide a schedule can block permits	Check whether your site is considered nonconforming under § 18.76.060 and prepare an elimination schedule if needed.
Design review scope	Landscaping is part of design review in many districts and can change approval conditions	Confirm the required level of design review (zoning map/district dependent) and applicable design guidelines per § 18.36.200 and § 18.36.120.

Information Gaps

A consolidated, published list of approved street/landscape tree species or an official plant palette was Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with planning staff.
The numeric fence/wall height table and any enumerated exceptions in § 18.84.205 were referenced in the table of contents but the detailed numeric text was Not found in retrieved materials; review § 18.84.205 directly.
Detailed text of the water‑efficient landscape standard § 18.84.310 (full compliance methods, prescriptive option) was listed but the complete compliance procedures and any thresholds (project size triggers) were Not found in the snippets; read § 18.84.310 in full.

Plain‑English Summary

Pittsburg’s zoning code requires a professional landscape plan showing trees, shrubs, irrigation and screening; parking lots must meet tree count and shade goals; industrial and hillside projects have specific buffering rules (including a common 6‑ft wall + close‑spaced trees); fences/walls are regulated and may require permits or hearings. Read the landscaping article § 18.84.300+, the industrial planting rules § 18.54.130, and the hillside transitional standards § 18.56.070(D–E) when you design.

Source References

Pittsburg Zoning — Title 18 (general, Title and organization): § 18.04.010, § 18.04.020, § 18.04.030.
Landscaping and irrigation / Article VII: § 18.84.300 – § 18.84.333 (Table of contents for landscaping articles including § 18.84.310, § 18.84.315, § 18.84.318, § 18.84.320, § 18.84.323) — see the landscaping article list.
Additional landscape design standards including parking shade and planter dimensions: § 18.84.315.
Landscape plan submittal items and required plan contents: § 18.56.070 (plans for a hillside planned development, including required landscape plan contents) and the general checklist items referenced in plan requirements.
Industrial district planting area and tree buffer standards: § 18.54.130.
Fences and walls (Article IV): § 18.84.200 – § 18.84.235 (height, permit and visibility rules; fence‑height exceptions handled via zoning approval procedures listed in § 18.32.010(B)(3)).
Nonconforming screening and schedule to eliminate nonconformities: § 18.76.060.
Design review and design review submittal requirements (landscaping is part of design review): § 18.36.200, § 18.36.120, § 18.53.040.

If you want, I can pull the full text of any of the cited sections (for example § 18.84.315 or § 18.84.205) and annotate exactly which phrases are mandatory versus discretionary, or prepare a draft landscape plan checklist tailored to a specific parcel — Verify with the jurisdiction before final submittal.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Pittsburg Zoning Code High relevance
Pittsburg Zoning Code (Chapter 15.88) High relevance
Pittsburg Zoning Code High relevance
Pittsburg Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance
Pittsburg Zoning Code (Chapter 18.84) High relevance
Pittsburg Zoning Code High relevance
Pittsburg Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
CWUIC § 65850.6 (Title 24) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Pittsburg code library

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping details must I include on a Pittsburg landscape plan?

Include existing/proposed trees and sizes, species, planting and irrigation details, location/spacing of street trees, planter widths and parking lot tree counts, trash enclosure and mechanical equipment screening, slopes/erosion planting for hillside sites, and an installation/maintenance schedule as required by § 18.84.318 and related landscape articles.

Do I need a permit to remove trees in Pittsburg?

Yes — tree removal is addressed under the code’s zoning approval triggers and specific tree removal permit sections. Zoning approval is required for a tree removal permit under § 18.32.010(B)(6); see the tree removal permit procedures referenced in the code (tree removal provisions listed at § 18.84.825–18.84.870). Verify species/protection rules with planning staff.

How close can a new industrial site plant trees next to a residential property?

Industrial districts require trees along side/rear property lines abutting residential uses at a minimum of 5 trees per 100 linear feet, planted within a continuous planting area or irrigated tree wells; see § 18.54.130(B).

Will the city require a wall between my commercial site and adjacent homes?

Possibly — transitional design rules for certain planned/hillside developments allow the city to require a 6‑ft solid masonry or concrete wall (or alternative barrier) plus a closely spaced tree screen; see § 18.56.070(D). Whether it applies depends on the project’s context; Verify with the jurisdiction.

How much shade must parking trees provide?

Surface parking lots must provide shade so that at maturity trees (or trees plus approved alternatives such as vegetated carports or PV canopies) shade no less than 35% of the paved area at midday; the code also generally requires 1 tree per 6 parking spaces as a distribution minimum. See § 18.84.315(H).

Are fences and walls regulated separately from landscaping?

Yes. Fences and walls are regulated in the fence article § 18.84.200–235 (heights, visibility, permits, construction/maintenance). Fence‑height exceptions and associated hearings are handled through zoning approval procedures in § 18.32.010(B)(3) and § 18.84.205. Review those sections for numeric height limits and permit triggers.

Does my project require design review for landscaping?

Most projects outside single‑family residential require design review, and landscape/screening are explicitly part of design review submittals under § 18.36.200; the city applies design guidelines and plan review criteria found at § 18.36.120.

If my site lacks required screening today, can I still get a permit?

Possibly — the city allows phased plans or a schedule for elimination of nonconforming screening/site features for certain site permits. Applicants for occupancy in a C or I district that are nonconforming for lack of screening must present a schedule to eliminate or reduce nonconformities (two‑year maximum typically) per § 18.76.060.

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

Water‑efficient landscape standards are codified in § 18.84.310 and related landscape article sections; these require water‑efficient irrigation design, submittal of irrigation details, and may include prescriptive or performance compliance paths. Read the full § 18.84.310 language for applicability thresholds and compliance options.

Can I propose alternative screening (e.g., decorative arbor, fencing plus vines) instead of a masonry wall?

Yes — the code and review bodies allow alternatives where they achieve the intended buffering and screening; for example, the planning commission may accept alternative spacing, heights, or combined solutions during discretionary review (see transitional design standards § 18.56.070(D) and design review authority § 18.36.200). Always document equivalency in the submittal.

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