Local zoning · Placer County

Placer County — Landscaping and Screening

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

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how the Placer County Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) regulates landscaping, screening, and fencing in the unincorporated areas of Placer County. Most countywide landscaping/screening rules live in the general development standards and apply in multiple base zones, with added, zone-specific rules where noted. Always confirm your site’s base zoning and any combining districts on the county zoning map and related plan overlays before you design improvements. See the county’s high-level pages on zoning, land use, and development standards to orient your project: Placer County Zoning, Placer County Land Use, and Placer County Development Standards.

Key rule, plain English: Most outdoor storage and work areas must be fully hidden from public view with a solid fence/wall or a berm/landscape combination to at least 6 feet, and new development must install and maintain any required landscaping before occupancy (§ 17.54.030).

Countywide standards you’ll use on almost every project

Fencing and landscaping purpose. The county’s standards exist to provide privacy and security, visually screen unsightly areas/activities, reduce glare/noise, and manage stormwater with landscaped areas (§ 17.54.030.A).
Fence/hedge/berm heights by location (applies to sites in the RA, RF, RM, RS, C1, HS, and INP districts unless an overlay or specific standard says otherwise):
- Front setback: 3 ft max; exceptions allow open-style fencing up to 6 ft in RA/RF, or up to 4 ft in RS/RM on one-acre+ parcels (§ 17.54.030.B.1).
- Side, street-side, rear setbacks: 7 ft max; must step down to allowed front height and preserve a “clear view triangle” at corners; street-side fences above 3 ft are not allowed inside the clear view triangle (§ 17.54.030.B.2).
- Freeway/major arterial edges: Up to 6 ft (or higher if the Planning Director finds it necessary for noise/aesthetics per documented CEQA mitigation or comparable basis) (§ 17.54.030.B.3–4).
When landscaping is required. Landscaping is generally required with new development that needs an administrative review permit, design review, minor use permit, conditional use permit, or any other discretionary approval; it must be installed (or bonded) before occupancy (§ 17.54.030.C.1–2; § 17.58.190).
Landscape plan review and water efficiency. New and rehabilitated landscapes subject to permit/plan check/design review must meet Placer’s Landscape Design Guidelines and the County Building Code standards for water-efficient landscaping (Placer County Code Ch. 15, Art. 15.75) (§ 17.54.030.C.3).
Ongoing maintenance. All required landscaping must be properly installed and continuously maintained; dead plants must be replaced (§ 17.54.030.C.4).
Screening of outdoor areas and nonresidential edges:
- Outdoor storage, manufacturing, fabrication, assembly or work areas: Provide a minimum 6 ft high solid wall/fence or a berm/landscaping/fencing combination, on all sides not occupied by building walls (§ 17.54.030.D.1).
- Nonresidential next to residential: A minimum 6 ft fence or berm/landscaping/fence on side/rear property lines when nonresidential or nonagricultural uses abut residential (§ 17.54.030.D.2.a).
- Commercial/industrial abutting non-commercial/industrial/professional-office: A 6–8 ft solid wall/fence or berm/landscaping/fence on side/rear property lines; construct with the first project approval (§ 17.54.030.D.2.b).
Security materials and electrified fencing. Concertina/razor/barbed wire is limited to 6 ft above grade or higher and is prohibited along front/street-side lines and within front/street-side setbacks in commercial and mixed-use zones unless a variance is granted; such materials cannot project into/over the public right-of-way. Electrified fences are prohibited (§ 17.54.030.D.2.b.i–ii).
Permits for fencing. No land use permit is required for fencing that meets Title 17; however, projects in design review districts may still need design review (§ 17.54.030.D; § 17.52.070).
Fences in required yards. Fences up to 6 ft in height (and low retaining walls) are generally allowed within required setbacks and are exempt from structural setback requirements (§ 17.54.140.A.1; also see § 17.54.130.D for allowed uses of setbacks).

Parking-area landscaping: In the BP district, planters are required at a ratio of one island per 10 stalls with at least one 15-gallon shade tree per island; additional frontage landscape strips are also directed for primary and secondary frontages (see BP standards excerpt, Landscaping Requirements ¶(F)(4)). Coordinate with Placer County Parking early (§ reference not shown in retrieved excerpt; verify with the jurisdiction).

Equipment and service areas in BP: Trash enclosures must be surrounded by a 6 ft solid wall and solid gate and sited outside required front setbacks; mechanical equipment must be screened by building features or landscaping/fencing as approved by the design/site review committee (BP standards excerpt, Architecture and Site Planning ¶(G)) (§ reference not shown in retrieved excerpt; verify with the jurisdiction).

Design review and overlays. Projects in -Dc, -Dh, or -Ds combining districts receive additional scrutiny for site design and landscaping; check applicable overlays up front (§ 17.52.070; also see Placer County Overlay Districts).

Tahoe Basin, specific plans, and community plans. Within the Tahoe Basin or an adopted community/specific plan area, those implementing regulations may supersede countywide standards; use them first (§ 17.02.030; § 17.02.050.D; Tahoe notes also appear in § 17.54.020 and § 17.54.140).

District-by-district notes (how landscaping/screening applies)

Each summary below focuses on landscaping/screening in that district. Confirm your base zone in Placer County Zoning. The list of districts is established in § 17.06.010.

Residential-Agricultural — RA

Purpose: Rural residential living with agricultural activity (§ 17.44.010.A).
Typical permitted uses: Agricultural accessory structures, crop production, animal raising/keeping (per § 17.06.050 table cross-reference in § 17.44.010.B).
Key dimensional standards: Front/side/rear setbacks typically 50/30/30 ft; site coverage 35%; height 36 ft (notes apply; see § 17.44.010.E).
Landscaping/screening: Front-yard fences/hedges max 3 ft; open-style fences up to 6 ft allowed in RA; side/rear up to 7 ft; screen outdoor storage/work areas with a 6 ft solid wall/fence or berm/landscaping (§ 17.54.030).

Residential-Forest — RF

Purpose: Rural residential living in forested, mountainous, or foothill areas (§ 17.46.010.A).
Typical permitted uses: Agricultural accessory, crop production, equestrian facilities, forestry, etc. (§ 17.46.010.B).
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping/screening: Same countywide fencing heights as RA (front 3 ft; open-style up to 6 ft in RF; side/rear up to 7 ft). Outdoor work/storage screening applies per § 17.54.030.

Single-Family Residential — RS

Purpose: Not found in retrieved materials.
Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Key dimensional standards: Front/street-side/side/rear setbacks 20/10/15 (5 min)-20 ft; site coverage 40% (§ 17.?? RS excerpt shows E.1; verify code number on zoning map).
Landscaping/screening: Front 3 ft fence/hedge max (with RF/RA exceptions not applicable here); side/rear 7 ft; screening of outdoor work/storage if present (§ 17.54.030).

Multifamily Residential — RM

Purpose: Not found in retrieved materials.
Typical permitted uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping/screening: Front 3 ft; in one-acre+ settings, open-style up to 4 ft in the front; side/rear 7 ft; required screening of outdoor storage/work areas if any (§ 17.54.030).

Neighborhood Commercial — C1

Purpose/typical uses/key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
Landscaping/screening: Countywide standards apply. Where C1 abuts noncommercial areas, require a 6–8 ft solid wall/fence (or berm/landscape/fence) on side/rear lines at first project approval (§ 17.54.030.D.2.b).

Highway Services — HS

Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Key dimensional standards: Front/street-side/side/rear 25/25/5/5 ft; site coverage 40%; height 35 ft (notes apply) (§ HS site development standards excerpt).
Landscaping/screening: Countywide screening/fencing rules apply; verify if any project-specific conditions add frontage or parking-lot landscaping (§ 17.54.030).

Industrial Park — INP

Purpose: Light industrial with high-quality site/landscape design (§ 17.42.010.A).
Typical permitted uses: Manufacturing, assembly, R&D; limited office/retail per tables (§ 17.42.010.B).
Key dimensional standards: Setbacks and coverage per INP table; includes note that outdoor storage/sales/parking areas must be screened from public roads and adjoining properties by a solid wall/fence per § 17.54.030 (§ 17.42.010.E Note 2).
Landscaping/screening: Countywide rules apply; INP explicitly requires screening of outdoor storage/sales/parking. Coordinate with Placer County Design Review if in a -D overlay (§ 17.52.070).

Business Park — BP

Purpose/typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
Key dimensional standards: Primary frontage setbacks and side/street-side widths sized to accommodate landscape strips (BP excerpt ¶(F)(2)). Section number not shown; verify with the jurisdiction.
Landscaping/screening: BP excerpt requires a minimum 25% of site as landscaping, a 40 ft primary frontage landscape strip, 25 ft on other frontages, and parking-lot planter islands (1 per 10 stalls) with shade trees; mechanical equipment and trash enclosures must be screened (BP excerpt ¶(F)(4), ¶(G)). Section number not shown; verify with the jurisdiction.

Heavy Commercial — C3

Purpose: Intensive service commercial (often with outdoor storage/activity); limited retail/office as compatible (§ 17.24.010.A–B).
Landscaping/screening: Use countywide adjacency buffers; side and rear edges next to noncommercial/professional-office zones require a 6–8 ft opaque fence or berm-landscape-fence combination (§ 17.54.030.D.2.b).

Key standards at a glance

Topic	Standard	Where it applies	Code Reference
Front yard fence/hedge height	3 ft max; RA/RF open-style up to 6 ft; RS/RM on 1+ acre up to 4 ft open-style	Unincorporated parcels in RA, RF, RM, RS	§ 17.54.030.B.1
Side/street-side/rear fence height	7 ft max; protect clear view triangle at corners	RA, RF, RM, RS, C1, HS, INP	§ 17.54.030.B.2
Fences along freeway/arterials	6 ft (or higher if justified for mitigation/aesthetics)	All zones listed above	§ 17.54.030.B.3–4
When landscaping is required	With most discretionary approvals; install or bond before occupancy	Countywide	§ 17.54.030.C.1–2; § 17.58.190
Landscape plan/water efficiency	Must meet County Landscape Design Guidelines + Building Code Art. 15.75	Countywide	§ 17.54.030.C.3
Outdoor storage/work screening	6 ft solid wall/fence or berm/landscape/fence combo	Countywide	§ 17.54.030.D.1
Adjacency buffer (nonres. next to res.)	6 ft fence or berm/landscape/fence at side/rear lines	Countywide	§ 17.54.030.D.2.a
Commercial/industrial edge to other zones	6–8 ft solid wall/fence or berm/landscape/fence	Commercial/industrial sites abutting non-C/IN/OP	§ 17.54.030.D.2.b
Security fencing materials	Razor/barbed/etc. only above 6 ft; not allowed along front/street-side in commercial/mixed-use; variance possible; never into ROW	Nonresidential	§ 17.54.030.D.2.b.i
Fences allowed in setbacks	Fences ≤ 6 ft and low retaining walls exempt from structural setbacks	Countywide	§ 17.54.140.A.1
BP site landscaping	25% minimum landscaped area; 40 ft primary frontage; 25 ft other frontages; 1 island/10 stalls with shade tree	BP	Section number not shown; verify (BP excerpt)

Checklist

Confirm your parcel’s base zone and any combining districts/plan overlays (overview, overlay districts); verify if a community/specific plan supersedes countywide rules (§ 17.02.030).
Design fencing to county height/location limits; preserve the clear view triangle at corners (§ 17.54.030.B).
If discretionary approvals apply, prepare a landscape plan consistent with the County Landscape Design Guidelines and water-efficiency standards; plan installation or performance security before occupancy (§ 17.54.030.C; § 17.58.190).
Fully screen outdoor storage/work/parking areas as required; add adjacency fences where nonresidential uses abut residential (§ 17.54.030.D).
If in a design review district (-Dc, -Dh, -Ds), route plans through the design/site review process (§ 17.52.070).
Coordinate parking-lot landscaping islands and shade trees with your parking layout (BP excerpt; verify section).
Keep all required landscaping maintained; replace dead/dying plants (§ 17.54.030.C.4).
If seeking a variance from standards, review Placer County Variances and Exceptions.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Clear view triangle at corners	Over-tall street-side fencing can create safety hazards and trigger enforcement	Field-measure sight triangles and step fences down in front setbacks (§ 17.54.030.B.2).
Electrified/security fencing limits	Prohibited/limited materials can’t be used at low heights or along street fronts	Materials, locations, and any variance findings if proposing exceptions (§ 17.54.030.D.2.b).
BP standards section number	Landscaping percentages/strips/islands are in a retrieved excerpt without a visible § number	Confirm current code section and applicability with Planning; treat excerpt as direction until verified (BP excerpt).
Overlays and plan areas	Design Review/Tahoe/community/specific plans may supersede Title 17	Which overlay/plan governs your site; applicable landscape/screening criteria (§ 17.02.030; § 17.52.070).
Parking-lot landscaping outside BP	The code excerpt shows parking islands in BP; other zones may rely on conditions/design review	Whether your zone has explicit island/shade requirements vs. case-by-case conditions (BP excerpt; § 17.52.070).
Fence location in easements	Fences can’t be placed in public utility/multi-purpose easements	Title report and site survey for easement limits (§ 17.54.030.B.2).

Plain-English Summary

In unincorporated Placer County, front-yard fences are short, side/rear fences can reach 7 feet, and most outdoor storage or work areas must be hidden by a solid 6-foot screen. If your project needs a discretionary permit, plan on a landscape plan reviewed for water efficiency and design quality. Maintain what you plant, and add buffers where nonresidential uses meet homes. If you’re in a design review or plan area, expect added landscaping direction.

Source References

§ 17.54.030 Landscaping and fencing (countywide fence heights, when landscaping is required, screening, maintenance).
§ 17.54.130 Setbacks and yards (what can be in setbacks).
§ 17.54.140 Exceptions to front, street-side, side and rear setbacks (fences ≤6 ft exempt from structural setbacks).
§ 17.52.070 Design review (-Dc, -Dh, -Ds).
Article 17.42 Industrial Park (INP) District (screening of outdoor storage/sales/parking; site standards).
Business Park (BP) district excerpts—landscaping percentages/strips/islands; equipment/trash screening. Section number not shown; verify with the jurisdiction.
§ 17.24.010 Heavy Commercial (C3) purpose/uses.
§ 17.44.010 Residential-Agricultural (RA) purpose/uses/site standards.
§ 17.46.010 Residential-Forest (RF) purpose/uses.
§ 17.06.010 Zone and combining districts established.
Related topics for context: Placer County Design Review, Placer County Overlay Districts, Placer County Parking, Placer County Signage, California Building Standards Code, California ADU law

Information Gaps

RS, RM, C1, and HS “purpose” and full permitted-use lists: Not found in retrieved materials.
BP district section numbers for landscaping/screening excerpts: Not found in retrieved materials.
Zone-specific landscape percentage minimums (outside BP): Not found in retrieved materials.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Placer County Zoning Code (§ 10) High relevance
CBC § 190 (chapter to) High relevance
CBC § 441 (chapter to) High relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (§ 15) High relevance
CBC § 070 High relevance
Placer County Zoning Code High relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (Chapter 16) High relevance
CFC § 30 (Chapter 15) High relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (Title 14) High relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (Title 14) Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (section is) Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (Title 14) Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (Title 14) Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (§ 17.02.020.) Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (Chapter 22) High relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (§ 8) Medium relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (Chapter 17.) Medium relevance
Placer County Zoning Code (Article 17.06.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Placer County code library

Frequently asked questions

What are the front yard fence height limits in unincorporated Placer County?

Front setbacks generally cap fences/hedges at 3 ft. In RA and RF, open-style fencing (e.g., wire/rail) may reach 6 ft; in RS/RM on one-acre or larger sites, open-style may reach 4 ft. Side/street-side/rear fences can reach 7 ft but must protect the clear view triangle (§ 17.54.030.B).

Do I need to landscape my commercial project?

If your project needs a discretionary approval (e.g., design review, minor/conditional use permit), you must submit and install a compliant landscape plan, or post security before occupancy. Maintenance and water-efficiency rules apply (§ 17.54.030.C; § 17.58.190).

What screening is required for outdoor storage or work areas?

Outdoor storage, manufacturing, fabrication, assembly, or work areas must be screened on exposed sides by a minimum 6 ft solid wall/fence or a combination of berming, landscaping, and fencing to block views from neighbors and roads (§ 17.54.030.D.1).

Are electrified fences or razor wire allowed?

Electrified fences are prohibited. Razor, concertina, barbed, and similar materials are limited to 6 ft above grade or higher and prohibited along front/street-side lines and within those setbacks in commercial/mixed-use zones unless a variance is granted; never project into the right-of-way (§ 17.54.030.D.2.b).

Do I need design review for my landscaping?

If your site is in a design review combining district (-Dc, -Dh, -Ds), landscape design is reviewed for aesthetics and compatibility. Many discretionary projects also require design review irrespective of overlays (§ 17.52.070). See Placer County Design Review.

What landscaping is required in Business Park (BP) zones?

The retrieved BP standards require at least 25% of the site landscaped, a 40 ft landscape strip on the primary frontage, 25 ft on other frontages, and parking-lot planter islands (1 per 10 spaces) planted with shade trees; trash and mechanical equipment require screening. The specific § number wasn’t visible in the excerpt—verify with the jurisdiction (BP excerpt).

How are commercial edges next to homes treated?

Where a commercial or industrial site abuts a zone that is not commercial/industrial/professional-office, install a 6–8 ft solid wall/fence or berm/landscape/fence along side and rear property lines as part of the first project approval (§ 17.54.030.D.2.b).

Can I put a fence inside required setbacks?

Yes. Fences up to 6 ft and low retaining walls are exempt from structural setback standards; always keep them out of utility/multi-purpose easements and preserve visibility at corners (§ 17.54.140.A.1; § 17.54.030.B.2).

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